Dory Funk Jr., known worldwide for his prowess in professional wrestling and his influential training of future stars, has passed away at the age of 85. WWE confirmed this news on Tuesday. Funk’s wrestling journey began in 1963, after completing his college football tenure at West Texas A&M University. A noteworthy milestone in his career was his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
His wrestling career took him to esteemed events such as WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, and several NWA-affiliated promotions. Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, commemorated Funk’s profound influence on wrestling, highlighting his impact on both North America and Asia.
Funk started his career under his father’s guidance at Western States Sports and quickly grew through competition with wrestlers like Harley Race. In 1969, he won the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Championship, a title he successfully held for more than four years.
His association with WWE began in 1986 when he partnered with his brother Terry. During his tenure, he faced fierce opponents such as Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana, and Pedro Morales. Although his time with WWE was brief, he left an indelible mark not only in WWE but in many other wrestling organizations, including All Japan Pro Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling. His professional wrestling career concluded in 2017.
In 2009, Funk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside his brother Terry. Their induction class included notable names like The Von Erichs, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, Koko B. Ware, Ricky Steamboat, and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
Beyond his in-ring achievements, Funk’s legacy continues through The Funking Conservatory, his wrestling school where he trained numerous successful wrestlers including Kurt Angle, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Mickie James, and Lita.