{"id":95957,"date":"2021-07-12T14:13:48","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T18:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=95957"},"modified":"2021-07-12T16:19:51","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T20:19:51","slug":"paul-orndorff-passes-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2021\/07\/12\/paul-orndorff-passes-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul Orndorff Passes Away Aged 71"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It has been announced<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CRPAsj2FsBa\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> by his son<\/a> that &#8220;Mr. Wonderful&#8221; Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71.\u00a0 Orndorff is most known for being a part of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wwe\/story\/_\/id\/28978695\/the-20-biggest-matches-wrestlemania-history\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> main event for WrestleMania 1<\/a> which saw him team with\u00a0<strong>Roddy Piper\u00a0<\/strong>against\u00a0<strong>Hulk Hogan\u00a0<\/strong>and Mr. T.<\/p>\n<p>Originally set on being an NFL player Orndorff was drafted to the New Orleans Saints in 1973 but his failure to gain a foothold in the league led to him switching career paths to professional wrestling. He found his biggest success in\u00a0<strong>Mid South Wrestling\u00a0<\/strong>where he was a multiple-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion.\u00a0 His biggest asset was his incredible physique which made him a perfect main event pro wrestler for that era.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It&#39;s safe to say that NO ONE in Mid-South Wrestling wanted to mess with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PaulOrndorff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#PaulOrndorff<\/a>! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWENetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@wwenetwork<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xZ7HY9irNW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xZ7HY9irNW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; WWE Network (@WWENetwork) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWENetwork\/status\/856523309759946752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 24, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the 80s Orndorff jumped to the\u00a0<strong>World Wrestling Federation\u00a0<\/strong>(WWF) as a babyface but eventually sided with heels like the aforementioned\u00a0<strong>Roddy Piper.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Shortly after WrestleMania Orndorff returned to being a babyface and was closely aligned with\u00a0Hulk Hogan.\u00a0 That was until a shocking turn led to Paul Orndorff turning on Hogan and becoming his major rival in 1986.\u00a0 The two had a headlining feud which included a massive event at the Exhibition Stadium in Toronto that drew over 60,000 fans.\u00a0 This massive feud between Hogan and Orndorff is considered one of the most profitable and notable feuds in U.S. wrestling.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Before there was WrestleMania VI, Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff drew over 60K to Exhibition Stadium in Toronto in the summer of &#39;86 after Orndorff&#39;s shocking heel turn on Hogan.<\/p>\n<p>RIP Mr. Wonderful <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cZjftE4V5f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/cZjftE4V5f<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MikeBeauvais\/status\/1414638568786567178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, injuries would cut Orndorff&#8217;s time in the WWF short as he retired in 1988, that was until 1990 when he came out of retirement to compete for <strong>World Championship Wrestling\u00a0<\/strong>(WCW), he mainly wrestled for WCW until 1995 when he retired for the final time.\u00a0 In just under 20 years Orndorff had captured numerous championships, been the main event of a historic event like WrestleMania, and drew numerous massive crowds.<\/p>\n<p>With his wrestling days over Orndorff briefly served as a head trainer at the WCW Power Plant until the promotion was sold in 2001.\u00a0 In 2005 Orndorff&#8217;s career was honored as he was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame.\u00a0 Unfortunately, as he got older Paul Orndorff began to suffer from a number of health issues.\u00a0 In 2011 he announced that he was battling Lymph Node Cancer but defeated it by August that year, unfortunately, Orndorff would receive more bad health news as he would begin to suffer the effects of severe Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE.\u00a0 This led to Orndorff no longer making appearances and falling on financial hardships which led to the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/09\/15\/paul-orndorff-in-financial-duress-following-severe-cte\/\" target=\"_self\"> creation of a GoFundMe<\/a> in 2018.\u00a0 Orndorff&#8217;s son blames this CTE on his father&#8217;s recent battle with Dementia.<\/p>\n<p>The professional wrestling world has been quick to react to the passing of Paul Orndorff with many sharing fond memories of his feud with Hulk Hogan all these years later.\u00a0 Last Word On Pro Wrestling sends our condolences to Orndorff&#8217;s friends, family, and colleagues.<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to donate to help Paul Orndorff&#8217;s family there is a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/farewell-mr-wonderful?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> GoFundMe<\/a> organized by Travis Orndorff&#8217;s wife raising funds for his final expenses.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I&#39;ve watched Paul Orndorff my entire life<br \/>I&#39;ve paid to see him wrestle so many times<br \/>Never saw him have a bad match ever<br \/>Truly Wonderful <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/piledriver?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#piledriver<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7nNssgqkXe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/7nNssgqkXe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/THETOMMYDREAMER\/status\/1414645251080327171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Just got slammed with the Paul Orndorff news,RIP my brother,love you and thank you for always making me fight for everything in our matches,heaven just got even more Wonderful,love U4LifeHH<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HulkHogan\/status\/1414643203073093637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/RichardsWesley\/status\/1414637548786405384<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">PAUL ORNDORFF. MY BROTHER. YOU WERE THE TOUGHEST. WE TRAIN TOGETHER. WE RIDE TOGETHER. YOU WERE EXCELLENT BUBBA. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RXovORjxVp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/RXovORjxVp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/the_ironsheik\/status\/1414640763661598726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Featured Image<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"fbM9xONlRHx8MY70MkU3Ug\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ie\/detail\/502336335\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'fbM9xONlRHx8MY70MkU3Ug',sig:'AWOm0r4W5gjTIrdH97tNQR8I2GK4iEog7jOTXT05K5A=',w:'594px',h:'406px',items:'502336335',caption: true ,tld:'ie',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Stay tuned to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/watch.wwe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WWE Network<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peacock<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Head on over to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/boards\/index.php\" target=\"_self\">LWOS Boards<\/a>\u00a0to engage in conversation with fellow fans!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It has been announced by his son that &#8220;Mr. Wonderful&#8221; Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71.\u00a0 Orndorff is most known for being a part of the main event for WrestleMania 1 which saw him team with\u00a0Roddy Piper\u00a0against\u00a0Hulk Hogan\u00a0and Mr. T. Originally set on being an NFL player Orndorff was drafted to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2013,"featured_media":95958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,547,2192,3],"tags":[3435],"class_list":["post-95957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-in-memorium","category-wrestling","category-wwe-universe","tag-paul-orndorff"],"modified_by":"Alex Richards, LWOF Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2013"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95957\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}