Christopher Alan Pallies (November 7, 1955 – March 4, 2019), better known as King Kong Bundy, was an American professional wrestler, comedian, and actor whose sheer size, bald head, and villainous persona made him one of the most recognizable big men of the 1980s wrestling boom. A main-eventer who stood toe-to-toe with Hulk Hogan and André the Giant, Bundy became immortalized as the towering heel of WrestleMania 2 and as a pop-culture figure whose impact went far beyond the squared circle.
Early Life
Bundy was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, the son of a railroad freight agent and a department store clerk. Growing up in Sewell, New Jersey, he was a standout heavyweight on the Washington Township High School wrestling team, winning two regional titles. His brother Jeff was also a champion amateur wrestler. Bundy’s size and athleticism gave him an early edge, but his path didn’t immediately lead to professional sports.
After high school, Pallies began training at the Monster Factory in Bellmawr, New Jersey, under Larry Sharpe—a training ground that would produce stars like Bam Bam Bigelow, Sheamus, and The Big Show. It was here that he honed his craft and began shaping the persona that would one day become King Kong Bundy.
Early Wrestling Career (1981–1985)
Pallies debuted on March 7, 1981, in the WWF under the ring name Chris Canyon (and later “Chris Cannon”). His early years were spent refining his in-ring style across multiple territories.
-
In World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), he was rebranded as Big Daddy Bundy (a nod to the UK wrestler Big Daddy). After a falling out with the Von Erichs, he was reborn as King Kong Bundy, managed by Gary Hart. The bald head, black singlet, and monstrous aura became his trademark.
-
He quickly became a major heel in WCCW, feuding with the Von Erichs and even wrestling Fritz Von Erich in his retirement match at Texas Stadium in 1982.
-
Bundy gained notoriety for his unique demand: a five-count pinfall instead of the traditional three, emphasizing his dominance.
-
He also competed in the AWA, Mid-South Wrestling, Memphis, and Georgia Championship Wrestling, teaming at times with Rick Rude and Jim Neidhart, and even defeating the Road Warriors for tag team gold alongside The Masked Superstar.
By the mid-1980s, Bundy had become one of the most feared big men in wrestling, primed for Vince McMahon’s national expansion.
The WWF Boom Years (1985–1988)
Bundy debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in March 1985, managed initially by Jimmy Hart before being traded to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. From the start, he was presented as an unstoppable monster:
-
WrestleMania I (1985): Bundy squashed S.D. Jones in a match announced at nine seconds (actually around 17), setting a record for shortest WrestleMania match that stood for over two decades.
-
He feuded with André the Giant, delivering multiple splashes that kayfabe “broke André’s sternum.” His partnership with Big John Studd made them one of the most imposing heel duos of the era.
WrestleMania 2 Main Event
Bundy’s biggest career moment came on April 7, 1986, at WrestleMania 2. He challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match. Though Hogan retained, Bundy was etched into history as one of Hogan’s most iconic rivals and one of the few men menacing enough to headline the WWF’s marquee show.
Continued Feuds
-
Bundy and Studd feuded with The Machines, a masked team including Bill Eadie, Blackjack Mulligan, and (occasionally) André.
-
At WrestleMania III, Bundy teamed with Little Tokyo and Lord Littlebrook in a mixed six-man tag. He caused his team’s disqualification by body-slamming and elbow-dropping Little Beaver, a legendary midget wrestler—a moment both shocking and memorable.
-
Bundy headlined the first Survivor Series (1987) as part of André the Giant’s team against Hogan’s squad.
-
His WWF run wound down in early 1988, after a brief feud with Bam Bam Bigelow.
Semi-Retirement and Independent Work (1988–1994)
After leaving WWF, Bundy entered semi-retirement, working select independent dates.
-
Eastern Championship Wrestling (1993): He appeared in the inaugural November to Remember, headlining alongside Terry Funk against Sabu and Hawk.
-
Wrestled sporadically across the U.S., including feuds in New Jersey and Memphis.
WWF Return: The Million Dollar Corporation (1994–1995)
Bundy returned to the WWF in 1994, aligned with Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation.
-
He performed at Survivor Series 1994, helping his team win.
-
Participated in the 1995 Royal Rumble but was eliminated by Mabel.
-
His most notable return feud came against The Undertaker, culminating in their clash at WrestleMania XI, which Bundy lost.
-
By late 1995, he was phased out and released.
Late Career & Independent Circuit (1995–2007)
Bundy stayed active on the independent wrestling circuit through the late 1990s and 2000s.
-
He headlined shows against names like Jimmy Snuka, Doink the Clown, and Tom Brandi.
-
Won the AWA Superstars of Wrestling Heavyweight Championship in 1999.
-
Wrestled his final matches in 2007, including a loss to “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan at a Legends of Wrestling event.
Acting & Comedy Career
Bundy successfully crossed into entertainment:
-
Television: He appeared twice on Married… with Children, once as Uncle Irwin Bundy, and once as himself training Bud Bundy. He also appeared on Weird Science (1996).
-
Film: Appeared alongside Richard Pryor in Moving (1988) as “Gorgo.”
-
Commercials: Became the face of Vendex HeadStart personal computers in 1986.
-
Stand-Up Comedy: After wrestling, Bundy performed in comedy clubs across the East Coast, showcasing a different side of his personality.
Personal Life
-
Bundy lived a relatively private life post-wrestling. He was married at one point and had a stepson he raised as his own.
-
Known for his love of cats, he had as many as ten at his home in Glassboro, New Jersey.
-
He was part of the 2016 concussion lawsuit against WWE, later dismissed in 2018, which many believe complicated his Hall of Fame candidacy.
Death
On March 4, 2019, Bundy died at his home in Glassboro, New Jersey, at age 63 from complications of diabetes. His death was mourned across the wrestling world, as fans and peers alike reflected on his role in shaping 1980s wrestling.
Legacy
King Kong Bundy left an indelible mark on professional wrestling:
-
He was one of the first true “monster heels” of the WrestleMania era.
-
His five-count gimmick is still remembered as a clever twist on dominance.
-
His feud with Hulk Hogan remains one of the WWF’s most iconic David vs. Goliath storylines.
-
His crossover into mainstream TV (Married… with Children) helped cement wrestling’s place in pop culture during the 1980s boom.
Though he never won a major WWF title, Bundy’s size, charisma, and unforgettable moments made him one of the most memorable big men in wrestling history.
✅ Career Highlights:
-
Headlined WrestleMania 2 vs. Hulk Hogan (Steel Cage, 1986)
-
Headlined Survivor Series 1987
-
ECW November to Remember 1993 headliner
-
AWA Superstars of Wrestling Heavyweight Champion (1999)
-
Multiple regional tag team championships in the AWA, NWA, and WCCW