“You Didn’t Wanna Mess With Paul Orndorff” – Booker T Gives Tribute to the WWE Hall of Famer

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T, paid his tribute to the late great ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff who left the earth for his heavenly abode on July 12 in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Paul passed away aged 71, and his son Travis Orndorff announced his death via an emotional message on Instagram.

On his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T was asked his thoughts on the legacy left behind by the ‘Mr. Wonderful’ and what his encounter with the legend was like. Booker said that he had worked with Orndorff back in WCW when he was a budding tag team champion.

“Paul was always straight up. You didn’t wanna mess with Paul Orndorff either because I got a chance to see him in action.” Booker added “Make no mistake about it, he was definitely one of a kind. He was definitely a star of this business, turned a lot of heads in his days.”

Booker T also talked about the time when he saw a backstage physical altercation between Paul and late Big Van Vader and said that Paul just beat him wearing his flip-flops. He further emphasized that if you can beat someone with flip-flops on, then you’re a “bada**”.

“He was definitely one of the carpenters of the business, no one can dispute what Paul Orndorff did for the business. Was one of the guys that you love to hate. The true heel of the business right there. Going out there, accepting nothing but the boos and whatnot.” 

Paul Orndorff was the ultimate heel in the business

‘Mr. Wonderful’ was a physical specimen and had a no-nonsense mindset. Plus, he set the bar real high in the wrestling business in the early 70s and the 80s.

The old-school wrestling fans mostly remember him for his heel persona that he carried inside the ring. He knew what exactly to do to make the audience hate him, and he was successful in it.

“And as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it.” his son Travis wrote this on his Instagram.

He is most notably remembered for his main event match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania where he played heel alongside ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton and ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper.

The guy who wanted to be the ultimate heel. That was Paul Orndorff. 71 years old, passed away, and he lived a full life but he will definitely be missed. And through wrestling, he’ll live forever.” said Booker T.

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