Paul Orndorff, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars of the 1980's passed away on Monday. He was 71 years old. In May, his son Travis, announced that Orndorff was dealing with dementia. The man known in the 1980's as Mr. Wonderful, was one of the best and toughest wrestlers of his generation.
Orndorff started his career in 1979, and for over 20 years he was one of the best wrestlers in the world. He worked in many different territories including Memphis, Mid-South Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, Georgia, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Paul Orndorff wrestled some of the best superstars of the 70's and 80's including Jerry Lawler, Ted Dibiase, Buzz Sawyer, Ernie Ladd, The Junkyard Dog, Dusty Rhodes, and Ric Flair. By the time he signed with the WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation at the time) in 1983, Orndorff was a hot commodity in pro wrestling.
On January 23,1984, Orndorff debuted for the WWE on the same night that Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWE World Championship. Orndorff and Hogan's career would intertwine from 1985 through 1986. Orndorff or Mr. Wonderful, as he would be known, would team with Rowdy Roddy Piper against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at the inaugural Wrestlemania in 1985. By 1986, Orndorff was one of Hogan's biggest challengers for the WWE World title. Their feud lasted for half a year and culminated in a cage match on NBC's Saturday Night's Main Event. The Hogan-Orndorff feud is one of the most notable and profitable feuds in WWE history.
Orndorff would leave the WWE in 1988 and move on to other territories such as the UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation) and WCW (World Championship Wrestling) but his career would never reach the same heights. By 1995, Paul Orndorff would retire due to injuries sustained throughout his career. He became an agent and trainer at WCW.
Paul Orndorff was one of the toughest men in professional wrestling. His feuds with Jerry Lawler, Ted Dibiase, and Dusty Rhodes made him a star. His feud with Hulk Hogan in 1986, made him a superstar. Thank you Mr. Orndorff. You've created a legacy that will never be forgotten.
THE PROFESSOR
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