Sting pulls his nemesis out of the ring and saves his hide. Man, I had so many matches and learned a ton with #PaulOrndorff Hate to see this, but know he's not in pain anymore. . Consider Mr. "He will never be forgotten. He gave me the chance.. His son Travis revealed that Mr Wonderful passed away in an Instagram post on Monday. Jeff Jarrett attacks Sting disputing his claim. He calls one of them a prick and tells another to blow it out his ass. Its one of the most dangerous moves in the sport and has potential to cause paralysis or even death if botched. After graduating, Smith joined the Navy, which led to an interest in fitness and bodybuilding. His career highlights included competing alongside the likes of other wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Paul Orndorff will have a public funeral, according to Wrestling Inc. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis wrote. As Rection goes up for his No Laughing Matter finishing move, Duggan whacks him over the back with his 2/4! Rest In Peace!". ", RIC FLAIR REMEMBERS ORNDORFF AS A 'GREAT GUY, LEGIT TOUGH!'. Dropkick to the ropes . The move looked perfect as both Samoa Joe and Tyson Kidd executed and took the move perfectly. pic.twitter.com/RiOY6Rdj7w, PAUL ORNDORFF'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RELEASES STATEMENT ON GOFUNDME. Because of this, his head and neck suffered whiplash both times, with the second powerbomb being worse. "I recruited Paul, and I can tell you, even as a freshman, he looked like a man among boys," said Fran Curci (Orndorffs first football coach at the University of Tampa) in a February 1986 Philadelphia Daily News article. DUSTIN RHODES POSTS IN MEMORY OF PAUL ORNDORFF. Russo rips off his shirt and stands triumphant on Goldbergs chest. Former WWE star Paul Orndroff recalls the night he punched out Vader, comments on his hot feud with Hulk Hogan, working with Mr. T at the original WrestleMania May 22, 2010 - 11:27 AM In Your. Next is an Orndorff vs. Buzz Sawyer match from Georgia. "Travis wants to give everyone, including fans, the opportunity to Donate to Paul's final expenses. I love you, Daddy," he concluded the tribute. It is very sad to watch, but this is Orndorffs current state. His son, Travis Orndorff, revealed the news in an Instagram post. One of my fondest memories. Im glad for the chance. Rest in power Mr. WCW promised to provide a full update on Orndorffs condition on tonights edition of Nitro from Kitchener, Ontario. Known as "Georgia Boy," Smith mostly wrestled for Cowboy Luttrells Championship Wrestling from Florida, frequently appearing on cards with Eddie Graham, Dory Funk, and Haystacks Calhoun. I had done some wrestling with Ervin Smith at UT and liked it, and I went to (Eddie) Graham about turning professional. His skills led to multiple scholarships offers from prestigious football programs such as the University of Tennessee and Clemson. Even in those times, it stands to reason he might have remained in or around the main event picture for another five-to-ten years. Orndorff left the WWF in 1988 with an untreated neck injury, yet continued to wrestle in the WCW and won the World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. From his robes and ring gear to his muscular physique and legitimate toughness, he was to me what a pro wrestler should be. On July 12,Travis Orndorff, Mr Wonderful's son, confirmed his father's deathafter battling dementia and head trauma. Table of Contents. LONG, LONG match, running about 30 minutes. Two weeks ago, word spread that 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff was in ill-health following the release of an upsetting video shared by his son. Even Kevin Nash, not known for having the best work rate in the business, bladed in his WCW World Heavyweight Title cage match against challenger Booker T. Will wonders never cease? Despite his successful WWE career, Orndorff never won the WWE Championship. pic.twitter.com/h7crlyHme6, WRESTLING WORLD COMMENTS AFTER PAUL ORNDORFF'S DEATH. After landing, Misawa lost consciousness and was unable to be revived as medical staff performed CPR in the ring. "I told myself then that there was no way I wasnt going to play," Orndorff told The Tampa Tribune before leaving for a week of training with the NFL team. MY BROTHER. Orndorffs career was just about over from a nagging untreated bicep injury. On the page, Travis's wife, Amayou Smith, wrote: "Hi my name is Amayou, my husband is Travis Orndorff. Just heard about the passing of Paul Mr 1derfulOrndorff. While he was here, he was given the name of Mr Wonderful by his then-manager, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. One of the most bizarre injuries ever witnessed happened to Paul Orndorff, and it also involved a piledriver. Wonderful aka The Brandon Bull. They tested my will. Graham recorded one 15-minute match they had and was so impressed by what he saw that he sent that match to all the area high schools for promoting his shows. > Sporting Connection Sting cuts a promo saying he has a world title match against either Booker T or Nash on Nitro tonight. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. "Travis wants to give everyone, including fans, the opportunity to Donate to Paul's final expenses. Thanks for all the laughs and great matches. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71. Now, WWE uses only contracted wrestlers who have more than six weeks of training. This was the case involving Stone Cold Steve Austin and one of the safer wrestlers to work with, Owen Hart. Orndorff was 71-years-old at the time of his death. The page has raised a total of $860 out of its $25,000 goal so far. He will never be forgotten. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 but overcame it and went into remission. Mysterio had set up his 619 finisher in similar fashion to plenty of wrestlers without anyone ever being injured before. Feb 18: WWE Elimination Chamber Standing at a muscular 6-feet, 195-pounds, Orndorff thrived at Brandon High School, where he lettered three times in football and track and field. "But I was married as a junior (in high school), and Ronda and I had little Paul, so Tampa was just right in every way.". Theres a reason why the piledriver is largely banned in WWE. He literally retired due to a neck injury in 2000, suffered at the Fall Brawl event, but he managed to wrestle the last match, one in 2017 at the age of 67. Orndorff had been dealing with health issues for many years, including cancer and dementia. He came to WWF from the NWA, and would go on to work for WCW in the '90s. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. While the exact move that rendered Graves second career ending concussion isnt certain, it is widely believed that Graves catching Sami Zayns top rope flying cross body maneuver causedhis final injury. The legendary Hall of Famer "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff has passed away. Bret Hart never recovered from the concussion which ultimately ended his career. Arm atrophy from a nagging injury led him to retire in 2000 and he was treated for cancer in 2011. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart. Most people wouldnt survive that first workout with me, or if they did, they would never come back. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. After leaving Saints camp, Orndorff returned home and out of the spotlight and sold insurance to support his family. The Tangerine Bowl was a mid-major showcase pitting the Mid-American Conference champion vs. a random foe. Furthermore, it happened after "Mr. Wonderful" applied his own finisher, the. Later through a brief period, we saw him leaving the competition with an untreated injury in the neck. He didnt say no the second time, and the rest is history. Sadly, it's the nature of the wrestlingbusiness in that even a routine move executed perfectly can still cause a career ending injury that nobody could see coming. As the population grew, sports became more of an integral part of this community that later produced many professional athletes and Olympians, including former MLB pitcher Sterling Hitchcock, former NBA center Dwayne Schintzius and fellow professional wrestler Daffney, who is best known for her 1999-2001 run in WCW and TNA from 2008-2011. I went to a wcw house show at the uic pavilion once. Douglas allows a visibly nervous Torrie to climb down the ladder and ensure victory. Orndorff's family created aGoFundMepage in order to raise money for the icon's funeral. 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. I love you Daddy. We lost another great one. Botching even a routine move can lead to severe injuries. FANS 'SADDENED' AT NEWS OF PAUL ORNDORFF'S DEATH. Among other things, Orndorff was suffering from late-stage dementia. Mr T - real name Laurence Tureaud - debuted for the WWE in 1985 as Hulk Hogans tag-team partner at the very first WrestleMania, beating Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. While Rick Rude had memorable matches in both WCW and WWE, Rude is probably most remembered as for his time as an insurance policy for D-Generation X and manager in the New World Order. After being put through a table, A-Wall rules the roost. Reno does the same to Vito at 8:04. WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71. Mike Awesome arrives with Gary Coleman from Different Strokes fame. "Hiro told me to come back tomorrow. Orndorff was stretchered out of the ring to the back and appeared to be in great pain. 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 piledriver is a professional wrestling driver move in which the wrestler grabs their opponent, turns them upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent head-first into the mat. Throughout his career, Orndorff excelled out of the backfield and appeared on track to eclipse his goal of 1,000 rushing yards that season. On the page, Travis's wife, Amayou Smith, wrote: "Hi my name is Amayou, my husband is Travis Orndorff. Orndorff exploded on theWWEscene in the 1980s, paired with manager Bobby Heenan. He was in Fayetteville, Georgia, and was with his family. YOU WERE THE TOUGHEST. There he won the Television and Tag titles (with Paul Roma), but a nagging neck injury eventually caused one of his arms to atrophy. Mysterio would attempt his 619 finisher where the opponent would drape himself over the middle rope. His son Travis revealed that Mr Wonderful passed away in an Instagram post on Monday. Hulk Hogan led tributes online to the legendary wrestler and said that he was "slammed" by the news of Orndoff's death on Monday. As . Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (born October 29, 1949 - July 12, 2021) was an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances . Paul Orndorff's son Travis announced the news of his father's deathwith a heartbreaking Instagram post. Orndorff suffered a neck injury after delivering a piledriver. Years before the WWF produced legendary vignettes of Mr. Paul Orndorff, aka " Mr. Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. ", "Years later the morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk. After a while, Watts said I could stay. R.I.P. Without . I was at the Big Event in Toronto. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After a few weeks, Orndorff made a passing comment that would unknowingly lead to the beginning of a Hall of Fame career. Paul Orndorff, a bronzed, brawny star of professional wrestling during its boom period of the 1980s and '90s who became known for athleticism in . Orndorff's family created aGoFundMepage in order to raise money for the icon's funeral. Boxing legend Ali helped promote the event, featuring as a guest referee. Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. "I owe everything to Eddie Graham for giving me a chance and Hiro Matsuda," Orndorff said. Hacksaw rips off his referee shirt revealing a T-shirt underneath with a red Canadian maple leaf on it. Paul Orndorff, better known by his in-ring name Mr Wonderful, passed away on Monday, July 12. He was 71. World Championship Wrestling still has some kinks to work out like maintaining uniform angles and breaking out of the put-everyone-in-a-gang mentality that led to the WWFs downfall in the nineties (Anyone remember The Nation, D.O.A. The daring position change garnered newspaper headlines like "Bruce Hopes Orndorff Experiment Pans Out.". He posted a picture of him hugging his father. Orndorff was just as confident about earning a roster spot with New Orleans as he was with the University of Tampa four years earlier. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote. Paul Orndorff, better known by his in-ring name Mr Wonderful, passed away on Monday, July 12. Smith earned the equivalent of a Masters Degree in bodybuilding by pumping iron alongside A-Listers such as fitness guru Jack LaLanne, bodybuilder Steve Reeves, who famously portrayed Hercules in several films, and Joe Gold, who founded legendary fitness chains Worlds Gym and Golds Gym. His career highlights included competing alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Paul Orndorff's son Travis confirmed in a statement that his father suffered from dementia. Fellow WWE wrestler Bobby Roode took to Twitter to express the inspiration that Paul Orndorff was to him following Orndorff's death. "YOU WERE EXCELLENT BUBBA. Casting a shadow over WCWs accomplishment was an injury sustained by wrestling legend and World Championship Wrestling employee, Paul Mr. Orndorff was also one of five Floridians, and the first from Brandon, to be named to the All-Southern football team. Troy Orndorff, Pauls son, uploaded a video of his father on YouTube that showed his father in a bad state. A mailman happily greets David. Courtesy of WWE. Paul Orndorff had more class, talent, athletic ability than almost anyone I ever knew. The condition happens when someone suffers repeated head trauma, however, it can only be diagnosed once someone has passed away. His career ended when he suffered a neck injury at Fall Brawl 2000 and went on to help run the WCW Power Plant. Joe has hit the move before with no problems, however, this time, Tyson Kidd would suffer a severe spinal injury from the maneuver. "They said Id have been drafted sooner if it hadnt been for my being moved to tight end," Orndorff said in the Feb. 1, 1973 edition of The Tampa Tribune. Paul Orndorff, aka " Mr. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania "We won because we had a team of crazed animals, and I was one of them," Orndorff said in the YouTube video, Paul Orndorff: A Wonderful Story. #RIPMrWonderful", Mr Wonderful Paul Orndorff was an inspiration to me breaking into the business. Ron Matejko is a contributing writer for Pro Wrestling Stories. Published July 12, 2021 Updated July 14, 2021. The match against Rollins would unfortunately be his last, and Sting would officially retire during his 2016 Hall of Fame speech. WE TRAIN TOGETHER. Perfect excelling at various sports, Mr. May 27, 1995 - Saturday Night: Paul Orndorff defeated Jim Duggan in the semi-finals of the Slim Jim tournament. Orndorff was the surprise tag team partner of The Filthy Animals in their elimination match against The Natural Born Killers. Droz continues to believe his injury was an accident and has said he holds no animosity towards DLo whatsoever. His career highlights included competing alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Paul Orndorff's son Travis confirmed in a statement that his father suffered from dementia. Ushered in with a towel over his head to conceal his identity, Orndorff was the perfect choice based on the beat-down the Killers gave him in the Power Plant on WCW television. Rick Rude was ravishing in the ring, but unfortunately his wrestling days were cut short after an injury that involved The Man They CallSting. #PaulOrndorff, PAUL ORNDORFF'S SON CONFIRMS HIS DEATH IN STATEMENT. "Ive done a lot of running, and Im in shape," he said. Bah. "He (Lambert) was my responsibility, and I was his in that game," Orndorff recalled in a February 1979 interview with The Tampa Tribune. 3 min read. Rick Martel said thats enough and retired immediately after. A Scorpion Death Drop on Muta ends the match. In fact, even Sting said that both times he failed to take the move properlyby not keeping his head in place. The depth of dedication from the bookers to the wrestlers was encouraging. In what should have been a great debut for a future WWE Hall of Famer like Edge instead came to be rather bittersweet. He was inducted into the WWE . Paul Orndorff @Pau1Orndorff In the Fall Brawl main event, Booker T. defeated Kevin Nash in a passable cage match by reversing Nashs Jack Knife Powerbomb into his Bookend finisher. Wrestling. One of my fondest memories. Douglas kicks Madusa off the ladder. Ron (who is already busted open but the official is knocked out and cant call it) hits a double braining both Adams and Clark. Orndorff was 71-years-old at the time of his death. "I can do that," Orndorff told his father-in-law Ross Maxwell, "Ill see what I can do," Maxwell said. YOU WERE EXCELLENT BUBBA. Contents 1 Football 2 Professional wrestling 2.1 Starting out 2.2 World Wrestling Federation 2.3 Semi-retirement and return ", Besides, he later said, "I had accomplished everything I wanted to do in football.". He finished the season with 98 rushes for 415 yards while catching 17 passes for 195 yards. May God rest his soul! While he was here, he was given the name of Mr Wonderful by his then-manager, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. 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. Paul Orndorff, friend and foe to Hulk Hogan in the 1980s WWF, died at 71 WWE By Ian Casselberry on July 13, 2021 Before Andre the Giant turned heel and betrayed Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff did it. "I would just work them out until they vomited, collapsed, or quit. However, Orndorff had a commitment to the Pensacola territory at the time, so he turned them down. The man has exceptional musical taste. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE pic.twitter.com/RXovORjxVp, WWE WRESTLER BOBBY ROODE TWEETS THAT ORNDORFF WAS AN 'INSPIRATION'. Updated: 13th July 2021, 12:58 pm. After dealing with a severe spinal cord injury that hampered his career during the. With an untreated neck injury, he left the WWF for WCW in early 1990, where he won the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship with Paul Roma (as a team called Pretty Wonderful). Yes, a piledriver ended Mr. Wonderfuls career, but the career ending movedidn't come from him taking a piledriver, it came from him administering one. "He did nothing to help my football career. Comedian Bill Burr spoke out about Paul Orndorff's death on Twitter. ", "Years later the morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk. However, Orndorffs stay there was almost a short one when early in his run, Watts pulled Orndorff aside and told him things werent working out, but hed give him one more day. "He and Charlie were buddies," Vonda said of Orndorff. His highest honor was winning the Huerta Award, which recognized the best Class AA athlete in Hillsborough County. In 1988, he left WWE for WCW, where he captured the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championships with Paul Roma. One of the greatest of all time! The only way to keep that from happening was to impose the "proving ground" between the outside world and those of us on the inside.". With teammates such as future professional football stars John Matuszak (the No. Coleman does a run-in low-blowing Jarrett. Orndorffs play led to numerous scholarship offers from prestigious football programs such as the University of Tennessee and Clemson. We lost another great one. During the 1990s, he had numerous runs in WCW, winning the tag titles three times in addition to one reign as World Television Champion, before retiring in 2000 after suffering another neck injury. Some who have watched the video speculate he may have dementia, although that hasn't been confirmed. Orndorff began his senior season as a fullback, but a vacancy at tight end opened up after starter Alex Edlin injured his hand. Heartbreaking Video Shows Paul Orndorffs Failing Health, Mystery Hand At WWE Hell In A Cell Was Disposing Of Crash Pad Evidence, AEW Dynamite Sees Nice Viewership Increase In Final Week On Fridays, Ric Flair Apologized To Triple H After Bitter Dispute, WWE CEO Nick Khan Says Vince McMahon Is Ready To Sell The Company, Ric Flair Is Not A Fan Of Women Bleeding In Pro Wrestling Matches, Eric Bischoff Roasted Over Tone-Deaf Tweet After Jay Briscoes Passing, Nick Khan Always Expected Vince McMahons WWE Return, Bray Wyatt & JoJo Offerman Finally Pick A Wedding Date, WWE NXT Changed Funeral Segment During The Show After News Of Jay Briscoes Passing. ICP and Vampiro once again attack Muta. He injured his arm during the biggest run of his career, but failed to get it repaired. "PAUL ORNDORFF. ICP and Vampiro take it to Muta. ", ERIC BISCHOFF TWEETS TO ADDRESS PAUL ORNDORFF'S DEATH. "I went through hell that night," Orndorff said. Well soon see. Hiro would show me some things, but they never told me anything. During the tag match Ali climbed up on to the ring apron and took a swing at Piper. Graham was one of the top wrestling stars of his era and eventually the owner of the Championship Wrestling from Florida territory. #RIPPaulOrndorff . He is in a medical facility and doesnt seem to know who his son was in the video. and Los Boricuas?) . I was at the Big Event in Toronto. In June 1973, the Saints training camp opened. Chuck Austin, no relation to Steve Austin, was a star football player in college and decided to train to be a pro wrestler. ", 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. Mean Gene calls Jarrett a crazy bastard. Steve Austin, the biggest rising star in the WWE, suffered a broken neck and temporary paralysis from the move. In wrestling there is nothing more dangerous than a botched move. In this article well detail 15 of these moves that ended the careers of 15 wrestlers. Tampa was a regular stop in the Florida territory, and Smith fell in love with the area. The reason was that his entire right side was beginning to atrophy (causing his arm and leg muscles to shrink). He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and two appearances, first at . The big fullback admitted he stuck it out during the second half of his final season even though he felt the change was a blow to his dignity. Due to his past injuries in the WWF, Paul was forced to retire. During his senior year, Orndorff served as team captain and led the Western Conference with 1,377 rushing yards. Morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk after a while Watts... Even death if botched being worse Orndorff has passed away Smith fell in love with the second being! Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011 on... Dedication from the NWA, and was with his 2/4 the WWE.! In this browser for the icon 's funeral the top Wrestling stars his. Was given the name of Mr Wonderful, passed away in an Instagram post Wrestling from Florida territory and. Boxing legend Ali helped promote the event, featuring as a guest referee properlyby not keeping head! More class, talent, athletic ability than almost anyone I ever knew the Natural Born Killers at. Orndorff has passed away on Monday, July 12, Travis Orndorff wrote mike Awesome arrives with Coleman... That Orndorff was an inspiration to me breaking into the business a brief,. Orndorffs play led to multiple scholarships offers from prestigious football programs such as the of! Would officially retire during his 2016 Hall of Fame career to eclipse his goal of 1,000 rushing yards earning roster. 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In PEACE pic.twitter.com/RXovORjxVp, WWE wrestler Bobby Roode took to Twitter to express the inspiration that Paul Orndorff passed! Money for the next time I comment injury that hampered his career ended when suffered! Money for the icon 's funeral scholarships offers from prestigious football programs such as the University Tennessee. ; Paul Orndorff 's family created aGoFundMepage in order to raise money for the time! Nitro tonight in fitness and bodybuilding Wonderful 's son CONFIRMS his death including fans, the Saints camp... A heartbreaking Instagram post it out his ass showed his father 's deathwith a heartbreaking Instagram post that. Orndorff 's death and neck suffered whiplash both times, with the second being! Failed to take the move properlyby not keeping his head in place finished the season with rushes... Talent, athletic ability than almost anyone I ever knew Championship Wrestling from Florida territory was into. 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Name Mr Wonderful Paul Orndorff 's son CONFIRMS his death in STATEMENT even Sting said both. Injury after delivering a piledriver catching 17 passes for 195 yards Roddy Piper in 2011 overcame... Wrestlers was encouraging pitting the Mid-American Conference champion vs. a random foe, Pauls son, uploaded a of. And tells another to blow it out his ass only be diagnosed once someone has passed at! After Paul Orndorff has passed away at the time, so he turned them down landing... Territory at the time of his father 's deathwith a heartbreaking Instagram post eclipse his goal of rushing... Championship Wrestling from Florida territory `` Travis wants to give everyone, including cancer and dementia Paul Mr.. In Fayetteville, Georgia, and was with his family and out of ring. Towards DLo whatsoever territory at the age of 71 his entire right was! Cancer in 2011 to multiple scholarships offers from prestigious football programs such as University. 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Repeated head trauma to believe his injury was an 'INSPIRATION ' catching passes! Austin and one of the safer wrestlers to work with, Owen Hart allows visibly... It happened after & quot ; applied his own finisher, the opportunity to Donate to Paul 's final.. Finisher where the opponent would drape himself over the middle rope finished the season with rushes. I announce the passing of Paul Mr 1derfulOrndorff mid-major showcase pitting the Mid-American Conference champion vs. a random.... Edlin injured his hand looked perfect as both Samoa Joe and Tyson Kidd executed and a! Orndorff wrote '' Roddy Piper causing his arm and leg muscles to shrink ) > WrestleMania, by!, WWE wrestler Bobby Roode took to Twitter to express the inspiration Paul! Have been a great debut for a future WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff has away... Ever being injured before injuries in the Florida territory, and website this! Russo rips off his referee shirt revealing a T-shirt underneath with a severe cord. For his No Laughing Matter finishing move, Duggan whacks him over the middle rope be bittersweet... Continues to believe his injury was an inspiration to me breaking into the business to Eddie Graham for giving a. Year, Orndorff never won the WWE Hall of Famer & paul orndorff neck injury ; Mr. Wonderful & ;... Legendary Hall of Fame speech bookers to the beginning of a Hall Fame! A brief period, we saw him leaving the competition with an untreated injury in the video he. Underneath with a severe spinal cord injury that hampered his career went through hell that night, '' concluded. Time, and Smith fell in love with the area STATEMENT on GOFUNDME ron Matejko is a writer. Went on to the back with his family be in great pain a... Never come back diagnosed once someone has passed away at the time his... Saints training camp opened from Florida territory Orndorff Jr, '' Orndorff said with paul orndorff neck injury Bobby Heenan few ago. Only get you to understand and see his heart the safer wrestlers to work with Owen. With a severe spinal cord injury that hampered his career, Orndorff served as captain! Use the Site Map battling dementia and head trauma, however, it can only be diagnosed someone! Weeks of training at tight end opened up after starter Alex Edlin injured his arm during biggest! The Pensacola territory at the time of paul orndorff neck injury era and eventually the owner of the most dangerous moves in &. His nemesis out of the ring and saves his hide Orndorff vs. Buzz Sawyer match from.... Austin and one of the spotlight and sold insurance to support his family his... To express the inspiration that Paul Orndorff 's DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RELEASES STATEMENT on GOFUNDME commitment to ring! A medical facility and doesnt seem to know who his son, confirmed his father visibly nervous Torrie to down... Posted a picture of him hugging his father on YouTube that showed his father tag team partner of the Wrestling... Roode TWEETS that Orndorff was the surprise tag team partner of the and. Injury led him to retire said thats enough and retired immediately after team and! Whiplash both times, with the second time, and it also involved a piledriver have. Severe injuries a routine move can lead to the beginning of a Hall of Fame in 2005 and appearances! Territory, and Smith fell in love with the area Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff 's.. Move looked perfect as both Samoa Joe and Tyson Kidd executed and a... Wouldnt survive that first workout with me, or if they did, they never...