Remembering Terry Funk (1944-2023)

 The most cantankerous cowboy character in wrestling history has gone to wrestling's version of Boot Hill.

Terry Funk, former NWA & ECW World champion, respected the world over, passed away this afternoon at the age of 79.

Funk won the NWA World title in 1975, a twist of fate in that he stood in for his brother, Dory Funk, Jr., vs. the defending champion, Jack Brisco. 22 years later, he became ECW champion, ending Raven's long title reign. Funk has been inducted into several wrestling Halls of Fame, including the NWA & WWE.

It was Funk, before Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, or Roddy Piper, who parlayed his wrestling fame onto the silver screen. Funk starred in a pair of movies with Sylvester Stallone, "Paradise Alley" & "Over The Top", and "Road House", opposite Patrick Swayze & Sam Elliott. He also dabbled in television, appearing in the short-lived 1986 series, Wildside, for ABC. His television credits also include the original Quantum Leap, Thunder in Paradise, Swamp Thing (the 1991 series), The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., and a recurring gig on Tequila & Bonetti.

From 1985, Terry visits Piper's Pit:

Moving to WCW at the end of the 80's, Terry transitioned to commentary, and, following Piper's lead, had his own talk show, Funk's Grill, in which, as a heel, he addressed his audience as "simple minded people". Loved in Japan, revered and respected in the US, Canada, Mexico, & Puerto Rico, Funk became a legend.

Rest in peace, Terry.