Professional wrestling icon Terry Funk has died, aged 79.
The legendary performer, whose career spanned five decades across multiple promotions, had been battling dementia in recent years and living in an assisted living facility.
Funk rose to prominence in the 1970s, competing in Florida and Japan, before becoming a household name in the United States throughout the 1980s.
Originally from Indiana, the Funk family would relocate to Amarillo, Texas and the region would become synonymous with his lengthy pro wrestling career.
With stints across NWA, WCW, ECW and WWF throughout his career, Funk captured multiple world titles and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside his brother Dory in 2009.
But it was Funk's rejuvenation from a traditional southern grappler to an all-out hardcore wrestler that continued to transcend the business, with his battles against the likes of Mick Foley becoming an integral part of wrestling history.
Funk finally retired - for good - in 2017, ending one of the longest careers the industry has seen.
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WWE honours Terry Funk on Friday Night SmackDown
Throughout the night on the August 25th edition of WWE SmackDown, the company would show highlights from Funk's career, before Cody Rhodes shared his own memories in front of the live crowd.
We're celebrating the amazing career of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk on #SmackDown!
— WWE (@WWE) August 26, 2023
Thanks to @CodyRhodes, we're keeping the celebration going with a Terry Funk Hardcore Match TONIGHT! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MQr4tiK9V0
.@CodyRhodes celebrates the incredible career of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk with the WWE Universe. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/R87trnY73K
— WWE (@WWE) August 26, 2023
WWE would also run a special tribute match for Funk, with the Brawling Brutes and Street Profits squaring off in a hardcore tag team match.
Pro wrestling industry pays tribute to Terry Funk
The aforementioned Foley, who remained close friends with the Funk family until the time of his passing, took to social media to confirm the news on Wednesday evening.
Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, one of the closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.
— Mick Foley (@foleyispod) August 23, 2023
If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks… pic.twitter.com/WwdFLwXqZ0
Long-time rival Ric Flair, who shared the ring with Funk on countless occasions and created some truly magical moments, paid tribute to his tenacity inside and outside the squared circle.
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
Funk's protege and close friend Tommy Dreamer also posted on Twitter following the news of his passing.
💔#Forever pic.twitter.com/8Fuuqgs7dc
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) August 23, 2023
AEW World Champion MJF and WWE's Kevin Owens and Triple H, as well as ECW legends Bully Ray Dudley and Taz, were among those to also pay their respects to Funk on Twitter.
I’m very sad to hear of the passing of a true legend & a great person, Terry Funk. Several of us had the honor & pleasure of being at his Double Cross Ranch many years ago after a show in Amarillo, I’ll never forget that!! Words can’t explain how Terry was just GREAT on so many… pic.twitter.com/ftA7jUtAqt
— taz (@OfficialTAZ) August 23, 2023
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk has passed away at the age of 79.
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2023
WWE extends its condolences to Funk’s family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/1elQq5ZkDn
Terry Funk Forever pic.twitter.com/EPMtZoeqrW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 23, 2023
There are no words…💔
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) August 23, 2023
God Bless Terry Funk. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/0uwlZ92rG4
I don’t really come here ever anymore but I had to today to say that Terry Funk was the absolute best of us and that getting to be in the ring with him 10 years ago is and always will be one of the absolute highlights of my career, bar none.
— Kevinn (@FightOwensFight) August 23, 2023
To this day, I still often think…
Every night in cities all over the world, Terry Funk left it all in the ring for our business and for the fans. An icon of our industry.
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 23, 2023
My thoughts are with Terry’s family, friends and fans.
#RIP Terry Funk
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) August 23, 2023
Not only were you the most amazing pro wrestler ever, you were the most incredible human being. Godspeed, Funker ❤️ My thoughts are with your family, friends & fans. You’ll be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/DaIpIp3Ass
The beautiful thing about Terry Funk is depending on your age or generation, you quite likely identify him with a completely different list of legendary accolades and moments as someone from another generation. pic.twitter.com/na07zMa9sy
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 23, 2023
Forever.
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) August 23, 2023
RIP, Terry Funk.
Normally I don’t like to post about someone’s passing. Terry Funk will always be absolute legend!
— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) August 23, 2023
Terry Funk was one of the first wrestlers that made me say "I need to watch every time he is on TV". He never disappointed. For a couple of generations, you knew if you paid to see Terry Funk, he would steal the show. I feel lucky to have seen him live, and to have known him.
— The Great Brian Last (@GreatBrianLast) August 23, 2023
Remembered as a trailblazer, pioneer and revolutionary inside the ropes and on the microphone, as well as a true gentleman away from wrestling, The Sporting News send our heartfelt condolences to Funk's family and friends.
