Wrestling World Says Goodbye To Paul Orndorff

Saying goodbye. The wrestling world is a fairly tight knit group and it hurts a lot when the industry loses one of its own. It can be made even harder for some when it is a wrestler that the fans have grown to respect over the years, which was the case with the latest big name to pass away. Now it is time for some people to say their last goodbyes, which have come in fast.

Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff passed away on Monday at the age of 71. Throughout his career, he wrestled just about everywhere, including for the WWF, where he headlined the first WrestleMania. He also spent a considerable amount of time in the NWA/WCW, meaning that he had quite the set of credentials on his resume. Several wrestlers and companies have sent out their condolences and memories of Orndorff.

AEW joins the wrestling world in mourning the passing of a true legend, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/3GpYkRpWfS

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 12, 2021

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of pro wrestling legend "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. We offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family.

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 12, 2021

Rest in Peace Mr Wonderful.. pic.twitter.com/TqeezPbQtH

— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) July 12, 2021

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

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 12, 2021

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 pic.twitter.com/RXovORjxVp

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) July 12, 2021

So Sorry To Hear Of The Passing Of Paul Orndorff aka Mr. Wonderful aka The Brandon Bull. Great Guy, Legit Tough! He Was Another Amazing Athlete That I Had The Pleasure Of Wrestling An Hour For The NWA Championship On Many Occasions! Rest In Peace! ?????? pic.twitter.com/5dFDmqZh2N

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 12, 2021

Damn. Orndorff. I went to a wcw house show at the uic pavilion once. Maybe 95ish. Him and Sherri were the best on that show with working the crowd. Think I have his autograph on a patriot mask somewhere. Rest in power Mr. Wonderful.

— player/coach (@CMPunk) July 12, 2021

I've watched Paul Orndorff my entire life
I've paid to see him wrestle so many times
Never saw him have a bad match ever
Truly Wonderful #piledriver pic.twitter.com/7nNssgqkXe

— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) July 12, 2021

Paul Orndorff was a true, man’s man. A stud.

Condolences to Paul’s family and friends. ?? https://t.co/e1wDZVGEcO

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) July 12, 2021

My heart and my prayers go out to the family of my friend and colleague, Mr. Wonderful, Paul Orndorff. Great wrestler and many great memories.

Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/wmmAxtNpA5

— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) July 12, 2021

Paul Orndorff, one of the all-time greats, has passed away. RIP, Mr. Wonderful.

— Kane (@KaneWWE) July 12, 2021

A #WrestleMania main eventer, @WWE Hall of Famer, and one of the industry’s best bad guys. Our thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/7UKP1s2yiI

— Triple H (@TripleH) July 12, 2021

Paul Orndorff was the first wrestler I hated & feared as a child. I was at the Big Event in Toronto. Changed my life. Years later the morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk. I was a little kid again. One of my fondest memories. Thank you for all of them Paul. pic.twitter.com/h7crlyHme6

— Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) July 12, 2021

Man, I had so many matches and learned a ton with #PaulOrndorff
Hate to see this, but know he's not in pain anymore. #RIPPaulOrndorff ???

— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) July 12, 2021

This one hurts a lot. Check out some of his most famous moments:

Paul Orndorff: 2005 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee

Relive “Mr. Wonderful’s” WrestleMania I performance with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper vs Paul Orndorff 1985

Opinion: Orndorff is one of those names who I have grown to respect so much more over the year. You rarely get a mixture of physique, talking abilities, in-ring prowess and charisma like you would find in Orndorff and it is sad to see that he is gone. I know it is a cliché, but it is nice to know that he is not hurting any longer. He really was great and you should go out of your way to watch some of his work.

What did you think of Orndorff? What was his best match? Let us know in the comments below.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has also been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full shows covered. You can find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or check out his- Amazon author page with 30 wrestling books.

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