Terry Funk

Terry Funk
Funk as NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1976
Birth nameTerrence Dee Funk
Born(1944-06-30)June 30, 1944
Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 2023(2023-08-23) (aged 79)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Alma materWest Texas State University
Spouse(s)
Vicki Weaver
​
​
(m. 1965; died 2019)​
Children2
FamilyDory Funk (father)
Dory Funk Jr. (brother)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Black Baron
Chainsaw Charlie
Dr Knows-it-All
Terry Funk
The Texan
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Billed weight247 lb (112 kg)
Billed fromAmarillo, Texas
Trained byDory Funk
Debut1965
Retired2017

Terrence Dee "Terry" Funk (June 30, 1944 – August 23, 2023) was an American professional wrestler and actor.

He was best known for working with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), American Wrestling Association (AWA), World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Ring of Honor (ROH) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He was the first and only person to have been inducted into the WWE, WCW, Professional Wrestling, NWA, Hardcore, Wrestling Observer, and St. Louis Wrestling Halls of Fame.

He had numerous "retirement matches" and was one of the primary subjects in the documentary movie Beyond the Mat.

In June 2021, it was reported that Funk was diagnosed as living with dementia and was living in an assisted living facility.

Funk died on August 23, 2023, at the age of 79.

Championships

1He was named the Honorary Lifetime ECW World Heavyweight Champion by Paul Heyman in 1997 because of his contributions to both ECW and Professional Wrestling in general.

2His first reign occurred when the promotion was an NWA affiliate named Eastern Championship Wrestling, and was prior to the promotion becoming Extreme Championship Wrestling and the title being declared a world title by ECW. He held the title again after those events.

References

  1. ↑ Engler, Craig. "Terry Funk". Canoe.ca. Quebecor Media. Retrieved May 6, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ↑ "The Funks". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Terry Funk Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  5. ↑ John Grasso (March 6, 2014). Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. Scarecrow Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8108-7926-3.
  6. ↑ Jeremy Lambert (June 6, 2021). "Terry Funk Suffering From Dementia, Official Statement Issued". Fightful Wrestling. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Terry Funk dies at 79: Legendary pro wrestler who had stints with WWE, WCW and ECW passes away". CBS Sports Network. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "PWI 500 1991". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  9. 1 2 "PWI 500 1991". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  10. ↑ "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990)". Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  11. ↑ "World Tag Team Championship - Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie (March 29, 1998 - March 30, 1998)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  12. ↑ "The Funks: 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees". WWE. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-01.

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