Former wrestling superstar Paul Orndorff aka ‘Mr. Wonderful’ dead at 71

Former World Wrestling Federation favorite Paul Orndorff, who gained fame with fans as Mr. Wonderful in the 1980s, has died at age 71.

His death was confirmed via Instagram on Monday by his son Travis, who has documented his father’s recent health struggles.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr.,” wrote the younger Orndorff. “He is better known as ‘Mr. #1derful’ Paul Orndorff.”

Orndorff’s son had previously said his father was suffering from dementia that may have been the result of the progressive brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Recognizable to World Wrestling Federation fans for his impressive build and blond hair, Orndorff famously faced off against Hulk Hogan during the “Hulkamania” heyday.

Nicknamed and managed by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, the Brandon, Fla., native joined the WWE in 1983 after being a standout running back at the University of Tampa. After a brief stint in the World Football League, he joined Mid-Southern Wrestling.

Orndorff’s professional rivalries with Jerry Lawler, Ted Dibiase and Jake “The Snake” Roberts led to NWA North American Heavyweight and National Heavyweight Championship reigns.

He achieved immortality by competing alongside Piper to battle Hogan and Mr. T in the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985.

“With his awe-inspiring in-ring style and umatched swagger, “Mr. Wonderful” turned his talent into a prototype for the modern-day Superstar,” the WWE said with the announcement of his death.

Orndorff, who retired from pro wrestling in 2000, suffered from arm and neck injuries that caused his right arm muscle cells to degenerate and led to the end of his in-ring career.

In 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

He overcame cancer several years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. After suffering physical and financial setbacks, Orndorff was the subject of a social media movement that helped save his home through the crowdsourcing site GoFundMe in 2019.

Medical costs associated with treating Stage 4 lymph node cancer had reportedly depleted his savings years before leading to failure to pay property taxes of his home in Fayetteville, Ga., home.

His dementia was first revealed in June, when it was reported he’d been placed in a medical facility.

Orndorff was part of a class action lawsuit against WWE in 2016 that alleged wrestlers suffered “long term neurological injuries” and that WWE “fraudulently misrepresented and concealed” the nature of the injuries. The suit was dismissed in 2018.