Terry Funk, wrestling legend passes away at 79
Terry Funk was a multiple-time champion and beloved figure throughout professional wrestling.
Professional wrestling lost a legend on Wednesday with the passing of Terry Funk at 79 years old. Reports started rolling out in the early evening, with multiple personalities speaking out on what he meant to professional wrestling.
According to Cagematch, Funk’s career spanned 5 decades, starting in 1965 and ending in 2017. Along the way, he’d perform for major promotions such as the WWF/E, WCW, ECW, NWA, and many more. His catalog of championships included reigns as the WCW United States Champion, NWA National Television Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Champion, and WWF World Tag Team Champion with Cactus Jack (Mick Foley). Funk was known for his hardcore wrestling antics, putting on some of the bloodiest battles ever seen in the industry.
Funk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by Dusty Rhodes. He inducted Foley into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Multiple names across wrestling expressed their condolences with news of his passing.
In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder. Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend! Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/EYMAKOzxnx
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 23, 2023
“In my entire life, I’ve never met a guy who worked harder,” Ric Flair tweeted. “Terry Funk was a great wrestler, entertainer, unbelievably fearless, and a great friend! Rest in peace my friend Terry Funk knowing that no one will ever replace you in the world of professional wrestling.”
RIP Terry Funk
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) August 23, 2023
Terry Funk is survived by two children.