Biography
Christopher Allan Pallies was an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian, and actor, best known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy. He gained widespread fame in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the 1980s and 1990s. Bundy headlined WrestleMania 2 in 1986, facing Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match for the WWF Championship, and at WrestleMania XI in 1995, he became the fourth opponent in The Undertaker’s now 21-match undefeated WrestleMania streak. Late WWF commentator Gorilla Monsoon nicknamed Bundy the "Walking Condominium" due to his massive size and weight. After departing WWF in late 1995, Bundy competed in various independent promotions across the United States. In April 1997, he reemerged in the wrestling scene by joining the faction "Camp Casanova," managed by Kenny Casanova, alongside "Danger" Dave DeJohn and the Masked Maniac in USWF, NBW, and USA Power Pro Wrestling. During a match against "the Seven Foot Tall" Primo Canera III, Bundy executed a knee drop followed by his signature "Bundy-splash," which caused the ring to break, leaving both wrestlers in a hole at the center of the ring. This moment was captured and featured by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Bundy’s rivalries with "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Doink the Clown, and Tom Brandi were highlights on the northeastern independent circuit. In 1999, at the Kolf Arena in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he claimed the AWA Superstars of Wrestling Heavyweight Championship from Jonnie Stewart. Later that year, as the reigning AWA heavyweight champion, Bundy headlined an AWA "Super Event" at the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah, where he was defeated in a "bodyslam match" by Koszmar Polski, who was managed by Ken Patera. Bundy continued to wrestle nationwide, mainly in the Southern and Eastern United States, remaining a main event attraction and fan favorite. His final known match took place in 2007 at the Legends of Wrestling Show at the Pulaski County Fair in Somerset, Kentucky, where he lost to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in the main event.
Acting Career
In 1986, Bundy appeared in television commercials and print ads promoting the Vendex HeadStart personal computer.
He made two guest appearances and one minor role on Married... with Children, a show whose lead characters were named "Bundy" as a tribute to him. In 1987, he portrayed Uncle Irwin, Peggy Bundy’s brother, and in 1995, he returned as King Kong Bundy himself, teaching Bud how to wrestle.
Born in Woodbury, New Jersey, on November 7, 1955, Pallies graduated from Washington Township High School in Sewell, New Jersey, in 1973.
In July 2016, Pallies joined a class action lawsuit against WWE, alleging that wrestlers suffered long-term neurological injuries and that the company routinely neglected their care while concealing the extent and nature of these injuries. The lawsuit was handled by attorney Konstantine Kyros, known for involvement in several other cases against WWE. The suit was dismissed in September 2018 by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant.
Pallies was a cat lover and owned approximately ten cats at the time of his passing. Some of their names were Stewie, Paige, Gio, and Pat.
