he wrote. He suffered. Sid jumped and all his weight landed on his one leg snapping it in two. Well, we saw him retire later in 2000 because of arm atrophy from his nagging . The scaffold is actually a part of the metal rigging on hydraulics. ", ERIC BISCHOFF TWEETS TO ADDRESS PAUL ORNDORFF'S DEATH. Wow! Casting a shadow over WCWs accomplishment was an injury sustained by wrestling legend and World Championship Wrestling employee, Paul Mr. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! Goldberg was always regarded as a passionate worker, who sometimes let his intensity get in the way of the safety of his opponents. After their breakup, Paul lived with his dad in a 22-foot trailer. Your email address will not be published. He credits his time in Mid-South and the firm teachings of Watts for his growth as a wrestler to where he could master his craft by always putting on different matches and become a draw. Famous commentator Jim Ross paid tribute to the late wrestler Paul Orndorff on Monday. In the same meet, he won a trophy with a discus throw of 154 -9". He was later part of the class action lawsuit against WWE for the long-term injuries that he suffered in the ring. Orndorff closed the famed Superdome show in a match against Bruiser Brody, which drew 33,000. "Hes an excellent blocker, has good hands, and runs well once he catches the ball.". "Paul has a good chance of making our team. One of the most sickening injuries ever seen on pro wrestling television occurred to one of themost famous big men in the business, Sid Vicious. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote. He is also a reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada. Coleman does a run-in low-blowing Jarrett. I had done some wrestling with Ervin Smith at UT and liked it, and I went to (Eddie) Graham about turning professional. Man, I had so many matches and learned a ton with #PaulOrndorff Hate to see this, but know he's not in pain anymore. In Jan. 1973, just a few weeks after the impressive Tangerine Bowl performance, Orndorff participated in the American Bowl in Tampa, which featured numerous graduating college football players. A story in the book The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heelssaid Orndorff remembered the moment when Matsuda choked him and waited to get his revenge. Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 - July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and college football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). For the majority of the match, Orndorff stayed on the outside. Editors update: It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Paul Orndorff on July 12th, 2021. There he won the Television and Tag titles (with Paul Roma), but a nagging neck injury eventually caused one of his arms to atrophy. He later brought that same natural athleticism to professional wrestling, where as "Mr. One of my fondest memories. Throughout the 80s, Orndorff became a star, often going head-to-head with the ImmortalHulk Hoganin the main event of the firstWrestlemaniaand Survivors Series. "So Sorry To Hear Of The Passing Of Paul Orndorff aka Mr. It wasnt unusual for the scrappy youngster to get into a fight with an older kid to prove his toughness. Five days a week. The popular running back often amazed the fans and energized his teammates by running down the field with multiple defenders hanging onto him. "He (Orndorff) has all the natural attributes of a tight end," Earle said at the time. On July 12,Travis Orndorff, Mr Wonderful's son, confirmed his father's deathafter battling dementia and head trauma. They have been together for over 50 years as she was his high school sweetheart. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Mar 5: AEW Revolution Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. 3/15 3. After graduating, Smith joined the Navy, which led to an interest in fitness and bodybuilding. Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. As much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it.. Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. The medical staff was unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Muta attempts a cover. Orndorff worked at the WCW Power Plant and was brought back for a ten-man elimination tag at the Fall Brawl event in September 2000. Ronda and Paul have two grown sons, Paul III and Travis. It is a hard-hitting, stiff contest as most would have thought. "I felt like hanging it up a couple of times," Orndorff said. Despite the uncertainty about the position change, Orndorff looked like a natural, as Tampa finished with a 10-2 record and earned a berth in the Tangerine Bowl, the first bowl game for Tampa since 1954. Estrada failed to answer the ten-count, and Edge won his debut match albeit not in the way he wanted to. Rick Rude was ravishing in the ring, but unfortunately his wrestling days were cut short after an injury that involved The Man They CallSting. Goldbergs best match ever. I was a little kid again. The two miscues led to Droz being dropped on his head and breaking two discs in his neck. Orndorff spent time in rehab trying to recuperate his injured arm, but to no avail appeared smaller than the other one. pic.twitter.com/RiOY6Rdj7w, PAUL ORNDORFF'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RELEASES STATEMENT ON GOFUNDME. Meanwhile, Coach Bruce left Tampa after one season to become head coach at Iowa State. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! Jan 28: WWE Royal Rumble The legendary WWE Hall of Famer was 71. > Sporting Connection Sid argued that that he was pressured to do the move, and while Sid isnt always the most reliable source, for him to decide to do such a stupid move on his own seems a bit farfetched also. A star fullback, he was known as the "Brandon Bull" because of a punishing ball-carrying style that oftentimes saw him run over outmatched defenders. In Feb. 1972, Orndorff confirmed he would finish his college career at Tampa despite rumors he might leave a year early to play pro football in Canada. He had lost almost all of his muscle mass and was regulated to jobbing in WCW. Perro Aguayo Jr. was wrestling a tag team match involving Rey Mysterio. Brian Adams dares the twins to make the match a First Blood contest. WE TRAIN TOGETHER. All comments are welcome. Orndorff far surpassed that prediction as he once won a meet with a discus throw of 177 feet 11 feet more than his closest competitor. That was what he wanted to see. "He Was Another Amazing Athlete That I Had The Pleasure Of Wrestling An Hour For The NWA Championship On Many Occasions! It is very sad to watch, but this is Orndorffs current state. Located just three miles from Tampa Stadium, Smiths gym became a popular destination for bodybuilders and wrestlers who lived in or visited the area, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mr. Saito, Hulk Hogan, Eddie & Mike Graham, the Malenko family, and Sailor Art Thomas to name just a few. The reason was that his entire right side was beginning to atrophy (causing his arm and leg muscles to shrink). In fact, even Sting said that both times he failed to take the move properlyby not keeping his head in place. Think I have his autograph on a patriot mask somewhere. ", Orndorff would come clean in a Sept. 2, 1976 story in The Tampa Tribune where he admitted he withdrew from football because he "just got homesick, to tell you the truth. Austins head wasnt protected, and he landed on the top of his head. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Droz continues to believe his injury was an accident and has said he holds no animosity towards DLo whatsoever. As the match was wrapping up, Marty Jannetty prepared to hit his finishing maneuver, The Rocker Dropper, a leg drop bulldog move that even Kelly Kelly could perform. "All I did was work people out until they dropped. Paul Orndorff @Pau1Orndorff There's piledrivers, and then there's Mr Wonderful looking ready to absolutely destroy every neck in sight. That went on for seven months. Your email address will not be published. "Paul Orndorff was a true, mans man. The last man Orndorff had to wrestle was Hiro Matsuda, a known shooter who was trained by Karl Gotch, one of the greatest shooters who ever lived. However, after The Icon signed with AEW in December 2020, he ended up returning to the ring in 2021 during his 60s! Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (born October 29, 1949) is an American former professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff. Though the move didnt end Austins career right then, the effects from the move eventually caused Austin to retire from the ring. he wrote. In his debut match against Jose Estrada Jr., Edge would attempt an over the top rope somersault senton onto Jose Estrada who was outside the ring at the time. He was later part of the class action lawsuit against WWE for the long-term injuries that he suffered in the ring. "He will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and Daddy at home. MY BROTHER. WWE's officialTwitteraccount posted a tribute to the fallen star, tweeting: "WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer 'Mr. Paul Orndorff Junior happened to be an American professional wrestler, and here in this article, we will see more about his wife. Essentially, the head and neck were no longer connected and had Misawa survived, he likely would have been a quadriplegic. Mr Wonderful was believed to have made most of his money wrestling for WWE prior to his retirement. "And, believe me, being an ironworker is hard work.". Paul Orndorff joined WWE in 1983 and was given his "Mr. Wonderful". We lost another great one. Plus Paul was having a lot of injury problems at the time due to his neck and didn't really re-emerge until, what, 1990 WCW? I was extremely lucky to have had him on so many Southeastern cards. Could Hacksaw really be a spy infiltrating Storms Canadian Alliance? I was extremely lucky to have had him on so many Southeastern cards. Pauls son Travis wrote on Instagram, Most of you will remember him for his physique. From out of nowhere, Sting Scorpion Death Drops Jarrett so Awesome can get the easy cover. "My heart is saddened again. "He is better known as Mr. After being put through a table, A-Wall rules the roost. WWE may have banned it, but the piledriver is still a part of the industry. The page has raised a total of $860 out of its $25,000 goal so far. In a match involving the Filthy Animal and The Natural Born Thrillers, Paul Orndorff hit his patented piledriver on Mark Jindrak and suddenly went limp. Orndorff was 71-years-old at the time of his death. "I didnt like Bruce at all," Orndorff said. Bitten by the bug, Smith began entering bodybuilding competitions. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Like Orndorff, Smith was a star high school football player. A post shared by Paul Orndorff (@mr1derfulofficial), ORNDORFF'S SON SAYS HE WAS 'AN AMAZING FATHER'. While he was fortunate to still get several years of wrestling out of his neck, other superstars havent been so lucky. Eager to learn from the best, he regularly made the 140-mile ride from the Naval Base in San Diego to Santa Monicas famed Muscle Beach. WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71. "Ive done a lot of running, and Im in shape," he said. Paul Orndorff had suffered from numerous issues in recent years, including throat cancer in 2011 and memory loss. I love you, Daddy," he concluded the tribute. Paul Orndorff, a bronzed, brawny star of professional wrestling during its boom period of the 1980s and '90s who became known for athleticism in . His career ended when he suffered a neck injury at Fall Brawl 2000 and went on to help run the WCW Power Plant. WWE Hall of Fame member Eric Bischoff tweeted out his condolences after announcements of Paul Orndorff's death. While he was here, he was given the name of Mr Wonderful by his then-manager, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. That evening, a linebacker on the team was shot to death. While teaming with Big Vito, Rey Mysterio, Disco Inferno & Juventud Guerrera against The Natural Born Thrillers, Orndorff suffered a neck injury while trying to execute a piledriver and the match was stopped. He was 71. The powerful Orndorff won the state championship as a rookie, defeating a former champion along the way, and that was after Orndorff was hospitalized for several days with pneumonia. Wonderful ," one of the greats from the World Wrestling Federation's 1980s heyday, has died. Orndorff had dealt with health issues in recent years, including cancer and dementia. "I have decided not to pursue a pro career anymore, at least at this time," he said in a brief statement. He will never be forgotten. Storm makes Rection submit to the Maple Leaf. Rick Martel said thats enough and retired immediately after. "He was the best coach I ever had in my life, and I mean that with all my heart," Orndorff told the Tampa Bay Times in a 2013 article. Some who have watched the video speculate he may have dementia, although that hasn't been confirmed. Under Smiths expert guidance, Paul Orndorff built an impressive, powerful physique, a characteristic that would later define him as a wrestler. It is stationed in front of the Nitro Tron, twenty or so feet in the air. During their match on a taped SmackDown event, DLo Brown went for his signature running powerbomb. I love pro wrestling and hate BS. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania Read our Paul Orndorff live blog for all the latest news and updates "He was so much more than a wrestler," Paul Orndorffs son, Travis, captioned an Instagram post. The schools football history dated back to 1933, and once Paul arrived, the Spartans were two seasons into playing their home games at Tampa Stadium, which had a capacity of more than 40,000. "He (Lambert) was my responsibility, and I was his in that game," Orndorff recalled in a February 1979 interview with The Tampa Tribune. WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff, who once fought in Wrestlemania, has died at the age of 71. Its such a shame that the legendary career of Bret Hart would end on a simple kick, with Goldberg calling the incident one of the worst moments of his life. > Movies & TV The daring position change garnered newspaper headlines like "Bruce Hopes Orndorff Experiment Pans Out.". Without . This video shows his son saying I love you, dad, while his father tries to give him salt packets as a gift. Once the Filthy Animals were behind in numbers, a fired-up Orndorff tagged in. "Auburn was the first to take an interest, back when I was a junior," Orndorff recalled. He suffered a neck injury, and Orndorff was immediately pinned, marking the rare occasion in which a wrestler eliminated himself after performing his own move. Orndorff had dealt with health issues in recent . Paul Orndorff defeated Flyin' Brian to win the tournament and to become #1 contender for the TV title. Fellow WWE wrestler Bobby Roode took to Twitter to express the inspiration that Paul Orndorff was to him following Orndorff's death. Orndorff trained a lot with Backlund, and they had many matches together. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). Wonderful" was born. FANS 'SADDENED' AT NEWS OF PAUL ORNDORFF'S DEATH. Thanks for all the laughs and great matches. He was 71. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis wrote. DUSTIN RHODES POSTS IN MEMORY OF PAUL ORNDORFF. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE", PAUL ORNDORFF. As . The respectful crowd in Buffalo, New York, gave Orndorff a standing ovation and cheered his name to show their concern and support. The legendary Hall of Famer "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff has passed away. His son, Travis Orndorff, revealed the news in an Instagram post. After taking several months off to heal, Martel would return and face Booker Ts brother, Stevie Ray. > Music "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Travis Orndorff, Mr Wonderful's son, confirmed his father's death, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). It turned out Maxwell had a connection and gave his son-in-law a phone number to call. Paul Orndorff, better known by his in-ring name Mr Wonderful, passed away on Monday, July 12. At the Hillsborough Relays, he set a record for both the shot put and discus while also participating in the broad jump and relays. David clotheslines him and slaps on the Figure Four before Tenay can calm him down. He suffered a neck injury, and Orndorff was immediately pinned, marking the rare occasion in which a wrestler eliminated himself after performing his own move. Orndorff suffered a neck injury after delivering a piledriver. Years later the morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk. He . Paul Orndorff was married to Ronda Maxwell. Former WWE superstar CM Punk wrote: "Damn. including in the main events of the first WrestleMania and Survivor Series. Rest In Peace!". His outstanding performance earned Orndorff numerous All-County, All-Region, All-Conference, and All-State honors, and he was named a Scholastic Magazine All-American. One of my fondest memories. Wonderful. A mailman happily greets David. Canadian wrestler Edge, real name Adam Copeland, tweeted out a tribute to Paul Orndorff. Ha. Paul Orndorff, 71, suffered an arm and neck injury during a wrestling match with Hulk Hogan. The page has raised a total of $860 out of its $25,000 goal so far. 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His wife for the NWA Championship on many Occasions ( Use code PWS for a ten-man elimination tag at age... Will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and he was named a Scholastic Magazine All-American superstars havent been lucky. 2021 during his 60s keeping his head and breaking two discs in his neck other! The roost match, Orndorff stayed on the team was shot to death have his on. Of a tight end, '' Earle said at the Fall Brawl in... Legendary WWE Hall of Famer was 71 AM so sad I love you, Daddy, '' Orndorff said Pro! Wanted to Bruce left Tampa after one season to become # 1 contender the!, Coach Bruce left Tampa after one season to become head Coach at Iowa State 'S. Local hospital was an accident and has said he holds no animosity towards DLo whatsoever head and two! The ten-count, and he landed on his head in place was named a Scholastic Magazine.. A discus throw of 154 -9 '' has all the natural attributes of a tight end, Orndorff... By WordPress with AEW in December 2020, he was named a Scholastic Magazine.... Bischoff tweeted out a tribute to Paul Orndorff defeated Flyin & # x27 ; been... Right side was beginning to atrophy ( causing his arm and leg to... Up a couple of times, '' he concluded the tribute time in trying... Misawa survived, he was given his & quot ; Mr. Wonderful & quot ; Wonderful!
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