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Dory Funk Jr., a pro wrestling legend who competed across the globe and helped train countless stars, has died, WWE announced on Tuesday. He was 85.
Funk began his pro wrestling pursuits in 1963 after he finished his college football career at West Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
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“Saddened to announce the passing of Dory Funk, Jr.,” WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque wrote in a post on X. “From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry. Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomena.
“A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much. My thoughts and those of the entire @WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Funk started in his father Dory Funk Sr.’s promotion, Western States Sports, in 1963 and got real-world experience wrestling with the likes of Harley Race and others. It was in 1969 when he became the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world champion and held the title for more than four years. He would be seen in the NWA until 1987.
“The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of Hall of Fame former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.,” the NWA said in a post on X.
“The National Wrestling Alliance sends its most heartfelt wishes to the family, friends and fans of Dory Funk Jr., a true legend whose contributions to professional wrestling are still felt and celebrated to this day.”
Funk appeared in WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation) in 1986, teaming with his brother Terry to start. He had matches there against Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana and Pedro Morales but only remained there for one year.
He wrestled at All Japan Pro Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling and several other promotions before calling it a career in 2017.
WWE inducted Funk into its Hall of Fame as part of its 2009 class. He went in as a tag team with his brother, Terry. The Von Erichs, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, Koko B. Ware, Ricky Steamboat and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin were also a part of the class.
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Funk’s wrestling legacy lives on through the people he trained at his school called The Funking Conservatory. Kurt Angle, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Mickie James, Lita and others were among his students.
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