Thursday, December 5, 2024
Terry Funk

Terry Funk

Born:
06/30/1944
,
Hammond, Indiana
Birthname:
Terrence Funk
Height & Weight:
6'1"
,
246 Ib

Titles Won:

  • NWA World Heavyweight Championship
  • ECW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • ECW Television Championship
  • WCW Hardcore Championship (2 times)
  • NWA (Mid-Atlantic)/WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • WWF World Tag Team Championship – with Cactus Jack
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)

Known chiefly for the hardcore wrestling style he adopted in the latter part of his career that inspired many younger wrestlers, including Mick Foley. Funk has appeared in the NWA, AWA, WWF/E, WCW, ECW, ROH, and TNA.

In major promotions, Funk is a three-time World Champion, having held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once and ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice. He has been inducted into the WWE, WCW, Professional Wrestling, NWA, Hardcore, Wrestling Observer, and St. Louis Wrestling Halls of Fame. Funk was a primary subject of the documentary film Beyond the Mat, and is often noted for the longevity of his career, which has included multiple “retirement” matches.

Notable Matches

w/ Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen on December 8th 1984

vs. Ric Flair at NWA Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout 1989

vs. Jack Brisco on December 10, 1975

vs. Raven at ECW Barely Legal 1997

Notable Feuds

vs. Ric Flair

vs. Cactus Jack

vs. Shane Douglas

vs. The Sandman

vs. Sabu

vs. Tommy Dreamer

Other Notable Achievements

All Japan Pro Wrestling World’s Strongest Tag Determination League (1977, 1979, 1982) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

Cauliflower Alley Club Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2005)

NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship

NWA Florida Tag Team Championship – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA Florida Television Championship

NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (2 times)

ECW Hardcore Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)

George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2010

NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA Georgia Television Championship

IWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

JCW Heavyweight Championship

WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)

NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship

NWA International Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version) (2 times)

NWA International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (7 times)

NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ricky Romero

NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (2 times) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

3PW World Heavyweight Championship

PWI Feud of the Year (1989) vs. Ric Flair

PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1997)

PWI Wrestler of the Year (1976)

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
Class of 2004

SCW Southwest Heavyweight Championship

SCW World Tag Team Championship – with Dory Funk, Jr.

St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2010

NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship

Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame

Tokyo Sports Best Bout Award (1980) with Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta on December 11

Popularity Prize (1979)

Special Service Award (1983)

USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship

NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)

5 Star Match (1984) with Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen on December 8

5 Star Match (1989) vs. Ric Flair on November 15

Best Brawler (1989)

Best Heel (1989)

Best on Interviews (1989)

Feud of the Year (1989) vs. Ric Flair

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)