It’s never pleasant when a childhood favorite passes away, and while I didn’t get to see much of Terry Funk when I first got into wrestling in the 1980s, I knew who he was.
He was in every wrestling magazine every month and despite them being written as kayfabe, the adulation and love for him could be felt.
Fast forward to the 1990s and he was instrumental in helping ECW be considered a legitimate wrestling company and then helping his good friend Mick Foley for a brief run in WWE.
He had a career that was among the best, even if he wasn’t one of the big names like Hulk Hogan, Sting, or Ric Flair.
He was a gentleman in and out of the ring; a rare good all around person this world needs more of.
https://twitter.com/foleyispod/status/1694446031952331209
Saying goodbye
As news of Terry’s passing spread, the wrestling world reacted with an outpouring of love, condolences, and memories of their interactions with Terry.
Mick Foley shared his thoughts and we could feel his emotions coming through.
Cody Deaner of Impact Wrestling shared his thoughts as well as a picture of him holding a Terry Funk figure a friend bought him and shared his appreciation.
A number of years ago, a friend of mine saw this in a thrift shop, thought of me, and got it for me as a gift.
I’m so happy I have it.
There will never be another Terry Funk. He’s one of last of his breed. They don’t make them like him anymore.
May Terry Funk Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/Gj0WsaTrEZ
— Cody Deaner (@CodyDeaner) August 23, 2023
Dutch Mantell talked (https://www.instagram.com/p/CwTWEc4MpV3/ ) about what kind of person Terry was and how much he meant to the business with his work and ability to give back.
“Terry Funk passed away today at the age of 79. I had heard that he was living at an assisted living facility in Texas. Not sure of the details. But his stature in the pro wrestling world is uncontested. Tremendous performer even if his opponent was a broom, it didn’t matter. Terry owned whatever ring he was in. Undoubtedly one of the greatest ever. Throughout the years, I’ve had a couple of matches with Terry starting with my first run in Puerto Rico. But Terry took my match with him…did his work and mine too and when it was over, the fans were standing and Terry Funk literally made me a main eventer in a 15 minute match.
“To know Terry was to immediately like him because he treated everybody, wrestlers and fans too as though you were old friends. But Terry’s interviews set him apart. He never did the same interview twice. All a booker had to tell Terry was who his opponent was and the building. Terry filled in the rest and that part Terry probably invented on the spot.
“Some of the greatest memories of Terry would be listening to him on road trips as he told story after story after story. So many that I’ve forgotten most of them. Were they true? Hell I don’t know but no matter the story, Terry’s way of telling them was a grand performance. Rest in peace Terry. We are going to miss you. So go home to your beloved Double Cross Ranch and keep telling the stories.”
We think that about sums Terry up. What was your favorite Terry Funk memory? Let us know in the comments below.
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