Terry Funk Dead At 79 - Wrestling Legend Passes Away
Rest in peace to the most versatile wrestler of all time, the GOAT... Terry Funk.
Terry Funk, one of the most important and influential professional wrestlers in history, passed away on Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Funk's friend and protégé Mick Foley shared the sad news on X, having spoken to Terry's daughter, Brandee:
Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, one of the closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.
If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks… pic.twitter.com/WwdFLwXqZ0
Advertisement— Mick Foley (@foleyispod) August 23, 2023
A wrestler since 1965, when he started working for father Dory under his Western States Sports imprint in Amarillo, Funk is rightly considered amongst the greatest ever to lace up a pair of boots. Wrestling across six individual decades until his final 2017 retirement, as a major draw in the United States, Japan, and beyond, he could do it all.
His tag team work alongside brother Dory Funk Jr. opposite such teams as Abdullah the Butcher and the Sheik was as high-level as his stellar 1989 feud with Ric Flair, or famous Memphis wars with Jerry 'The King' Lawler. Transcendent as a babyface, where his tangible toughness and industry-standard jelly-legged selling made him a benchmark, Terry was an equally incredible heel, whether playing a snivelling coward or dangerous loose cannon.
Funk's willingness to embrace emerging wrestling trends whole-heartedly characterised him, too, particularly during his latter years. Joining Eastern Championship Wrestling ahead of it becoming Extreme Championship Wrestling in the '90s, Funk was instrumental in helping Paul Heyman's group establish its foothold in the US market.
Before almost anyone else, Terry was a pioneer of hardcore wrestling: even at 61 years old, he entered a remarkable performance opposite Foley, Edge, and Lita at ECW One Night Stand 2006.
Rest in peace to one of the best to ever do it. WhatCulture wishes to extend its deepest thoughts and condolences to Terry Funk's friends and family.