WWE Hall of Famer, Terry Funk, has passed away at the age of 79. The news of Funk's demise was shared by Ric Flair via X/Twitter, while Mick Foley, a close friend of Funk, also offered a tribute through the same platform. Terry Funk was preceded in death by his spouse, Vicki, and is survived by his two daughters, Stacy and Brandee.
As the wrestling world mourns his death let's take a look at some interesting facts you may not know about Terry Funk:
Retired at the age of 73
While acknowledged as a wrestling icon, it's crucial to not underestimate the extent of Terry Funk's wrestling journey. Commencing his wrestling endeavors in 1965, Funk only hung up his boots (permanently!) in 2017, at the remarkable age of 73.
Rivalry with Bobo Brazil
Bobo Brazil, a wrestling legend who surpassed limitations, played a pivotal role in lifting the status of wrestling. His rivalry with Terry Funk goes as far back as 1972, encompassing numerous singles showdowns during the '70s. Alongside these individual encounters, they also teamed up for tag team matches, in which Bobo Brazil predominantly emerged triumphant.
Worked in Hollywood films
Exploring Hollywood, grappling at the inaugural WrestleMania, and engaging in brutally intense bouts within ECW, Terry Funk stands as a legendary figure. Attaining fame during the 1970s, this compilation will delve into ten essential aspects that wrestling enthusiasts ought to grasp about Funk's tenure in that era.
Defeated Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz stands out as a remarkably inventive wrestler throughout history. Widely regarded as the ultimate wrestling maestro, Thesz's influence remains unparalleled. He embarked on his wrestling journey long before Funk's debut and continued to thrive until the 1990s. Their initial encounter within the squared circle dates back to 1969, yet it wasn't until 1975 that Funk managed to secure a triumph over Thesz.
Defeated renowned wrestlers
During his reign as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Terry Funk emerged victorious against numerous renowned wrestlers. Among his defeated opponents were Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes, Giant Baba, and Harley Race. In 1976, Terry Funk added Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson to his list of conquests. .
Wrestler of the Year
The "Wrestler Of The Year" accolade was inaugurated by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1972. Terry Funk won the prestigious award in 1976 due to his NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign. This victory placed Funk as the fifth individual to receive the "Wrestler Of The Year" honor, a distinction shared with notable names such as Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino.
Defeated Andre the Giant
In their initial encounter within the wrestling ring, Terry Funk and Andre the Giant's paths converged. During a 14-man battle royal, which featured the participation of Ted DiBiase among others, it was Terry Funk who emerged victorious. It's worth noting that prevailing over Andre the Giant during the 1970s was a seldom-seen occurrence, given his typical invincibility in the realm of battle royals.
Teamed with Bruno Sammartino
In 1972, a noteworthy encounter unfolded when Terry Funk and Bruno Sammartino stepped into the wrestling ring together for the very first time. Their inaugural meeting took place in Tokyo, Japan, where they participated as a tag team in a gripping match. Their opponents were Giant Baba & Thunder Sugiyama, and the battle followed the format of a Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match. This particular match became their sole televised showdown.
World Champion
Terry Funk's tenure as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion comprised nearly 200 instances of defending his title. He undeniably embodied the essence of a global champion by safeguarding his championship all across the world. Noteworthy is Funk's ventures not only to Canada, but also his successful defenses of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in diverse locations such as Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
In 2023, the world of wrestling bid farewell to yet another icon, a mere couple of months after the loss of The Iron Sheik. Terry Funk, renowned as one of the most resilient grapplers to grace the squared circle, peacefully departed at 79 years old. A trailblazer in the wrestling world , Funk left an indelible imprint on the entire industry, a legacy cherished by numerous. Among those who paid tribute to the departed legend were notable figures like Triple H and Ric Flair, among a host of others.
