9. He Was NWA World Heavyweight Champion (Back When That Meant Something)...
WWE.comSo, how did Terry Funk achieve his unique elder statesman of wrestling status? Well, part of it is because he was a top draw for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) from his debut in the mid 1960s through to the mid 1980s, when he joined the WWF - which then exposed him to an even wider audience. Another part of it is due to his being the son of popular wrestler Dory Funk and, moreover, the brother of former NWA World Champ Dory Funk, Jr. But mainly, it is because he was crowned as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion back in 1975. Terry upended popular Champion Jack Brisco and held the belt for 14 months before losing it to Harley Race early in 1977. At this time, the NWA was still on top and to be voted as the Worlds Heavyweight Champion was a seal of approval that meant more even than a headline slot at WrestleMania does today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7HihNe6StA Being selected as the next NWA Champ (even by a close call, as Terry was) meant that the Board of Directors felt that Terry Funk had the ability to get over in any area, any territory - heck, any country - they sent him out to. The selection demonstrated their faith in Terry Funks ability to wrestle literally anyone to a good match, from spoiled promoters offspring to seasoned veterans, from fierce up-and-comers to out-of-shape hired guns. ...They were right to do so. Heres Terry, talking about his NWA Championship run from his aforementioned autobiography, I also knew it was now my job to make stars in each territory I visited. (...) The guys, the other wrestlers, make someone World Champion, and the World Champion exists to make the guys seem like world-beaters Terry wrestled them all and, by doing so, neatly transitioned from being the guy to beat (in order to challenge his brother the Champ) to being a great World Champion in his own right. Just take a second and consider the all-time greats that held that illustrious golden belt (or variations on it) at one time or another. Harley Race, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Jack Brisco, Dory Funk, Jr, Gene Kiniski, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, Pat OConnor, Killer Kowalski, Whipper Watson, Edouard Carpentier, Giant Baba, Ricky Steamboat and, of course, the great Lou Thesz himself... Thats why Terrys stock among serious wrestling fans is as high as it is. He certainly is, more than just hardcore. In truth, he was a damn fine technical wrestler in his youth, one of the best ever.