Professional wrestler and New Jersey native King Kong Bundy, who rose to fame during the heyday of the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, died Monday at 61.

Promoter and longtime friend David Herro shared the news about Christopher Pallies on Facebook : “Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family.” The cause of death and other details were not disclosed.

Born and raised in South Jersey, Pallies became a larger-than-life professional wrestling star and lost to Hulk Hogan in the then-WWF main event at WrestleMania 2 in 1986. The now-WWE offered its condolences on its website Tuesday morning.

“Bundy was appropriately called the ‘walking condominium,’ standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing 458 pounds. The sight of Bundy stepping between the ropes was intimidating enough, but his crushing offense proved that he was every bit as destructive as advertised. In fact, Bundy was so dominant that he demanded referees count to five when he pinned his opponents to show that there was no way they were getting up.”

Pallies began working for the World Wrestling Federation in 1985, when he feuded extensively with Andre the Giant. They feuded for several months, including a tag-team match where Bundy and Big John Studd faced Andre the Giants and Hulk Hogan.

Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories,R.I.P. big man until we meet again. HH — Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) March 5, 2019

Bundy later feuded with Hogan, alternating victories until Bundy left the WWF in 1988. He returned in 1994, joining Ted DiBiase’s “Million Dollar Corporation”, where he feuded with the Undertaker. He left the WWF for good in 1995 and has bounced around the independent wrestling circuit since then with appearances at wrestling fan events.

Bundy had been scheduled to appear at WrestleCon in New York on April 5 and 6. He Tweeted about the appearance just hours before his death.

Later in April, he was scheduled to appear at 80s Wrestling Con at IPlay America with about a dozen other wrestlers in Freehold Township.

A 1974 graduate of Washington Township High School in Gloucester County, Pallies won a pair of regional wrestling titles during his high school days.

King Kong Bundy had some amateur wrestling success as well. Here he is as 1973 All South Jersey Wrestling 2nd Team Selection.



Heavyweight. #Five #RIP pic.twitter.com/04oxykQBLc — Denny Burkholder (@DennyBurkholder) March 5, 2019

King Kong Bundy, a New Jersey native whose real name was Christopher Pallies, died Monday. In a 2010 photo, Bundy signs a poster at Orchard Valley Middle School in Gloucester County, where he participated in a fundraiser. (Tim Hawk | South Jersey Times)

Bundy’s former colleagues and current professional wrestlers posted tributes on social media overnight and Tuesday morning as word of his death spread.

Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family. Rest in Peace Chris. We love you. Thank you for believing in me. #KingKongBundy Posted by David Herro on Monday, March 4, 2019

R.I.P. King Kong Bundy...another great wrestling talent gone too soon. He will be missed, but he's in good company now, like in this match... https://t.co/rhqsDS5qAD — Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) March 5, 2019

RIP my friend. Thanks for your humor and kindness. #KingKongBundy pic.twitter.com/MdzLtvyy6S — Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) March 5, 2019

OMG can’t hardly believe my friend Chris Pallies aka King Kong Bundy has passed away. Very sad news he was a kind soul. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again. — Brutus Beefcake (@brutusbeefcake_) March 5, 2019

The Associated Press contributed to this report.