THANK YOU TERRY FUNK

 

Terry Funk, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars during the 70's and 80's passed away on August 23rd. He was 79. Funk is survived by his older brother Dory Funk Jr. and his two daughters. Through out his career Funk wrestled for all the major wrestling promotions including WWE, WCW, NWA, and ECW. He also wrestled internationally in Japan.

Funk started his career in wrestling in 1965 in Texas where his father, Dory Funk Sr. had his own promotion. In those days, wrestling was built on different territories in different states under the auspices of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Funk worked in tag team matches with his brother Dory and singles matches until he finally reached the top of the mountain.

Terry Funk worked his way up and became an attraction in every territory he visited. In 1975, he defeated Jack Brisco and became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. During the 70's and 80's,  the NWA Worlds title was the pinnacle of professional wrestling. Funk held the title for 14 months and in that time he became a superstar having feuds with legends like Giant Baba in Japan, Jack Brisco in Florida, and Pat O'Connor. His greatest feud was against the legendary Dusty Rhodes in Florida. Both men were from different parts of Texas and Dusty was the top star in Florida so whenever Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes clashed it was a monumental event. By 1977, Terry Funk would lose the NWA World title to Harley Race but by then he was known all around the world. 

In the 1980's he moved onto Memphis where he started a feud with "The King" Jerry Lawler and he wrestled in Japan having feuds with legends like The Sheik, Abdullah The Butcher, Stan Hansen, and Bruiser Brody. Overseas, the wrestling style was more physical and Terry Funk built his reputation as a "hardcore" wrestler in Japan. 

From 1985 to 1986 he and his brother Dory worked in the WWE appearing at Wrestlemania 2. During that year in WWE, Terry Funk did get to challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWE World Championship. In 1989, Funk moved onto to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) where he had an epic feud with Ric Flair who was the World Champion at the time.

In the 90's, Funk moved onto Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) a regional promotion located in Philadelphia and run by Paul Heyman. ECW used different styles to attract an audience such as lucha libre and American style wrestling but it was primarily known for being a violent, blood, and guts promotion. Terry Funk fit in perfectly with his reputation. He had great feuds with Shane Douglas, Sabu, Cactus Jack (Mick Foley), The Sandman, and Raven. Terry Funk became the ECW World Champion in 1997 at ECW's first Pay Per View, Barely Legal.  

Terry Funk was the epitome of professional wrestling. His persona as a wild man made him an attraction all around the world. His toughness and willingness to elevate young talent made him a legend. Rest in Peace Terry Funk and thank you for everything you did in pro wrestling. You've left a legacy that has given fans a lifetime of memories. 

THE PROFESSOR