WWE Hall of Famer and former NWA world heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday.
His wife of 40 years, Marti Funk, told the Ocala Gazette that he died Tuesday while in hospice care. No further details were provided.
Dory Funk Jr.’s footprint in professional wrestling was enormous, not only as the undisputed world champion, but as a promoter, booker, and trainer. The wild West Texas wind carried him from Amarillo to Amagasaki, and every town in between, making the name “Funk” synonymous with professional wrestling.
As the son of a professional wrestler and promoter, Dory Funk Sr., the eldest Funk brother followed in his father’s footsteps shortly after his college football career at West Texas State University ended in 1962. Dory entered the professional ranks in January 1963 and never looked back, continuing to wrestle well into the 21st century.
Early in his career, Dory Funk Jr.’s exploits were heralded in wrestling magazines, revered as a perennial title contender and traveling world’s champion. In the latter half of his career, his work with his younger brother, Terry Funk, was compiled in “best of” highlight reels and exchanged like contraband on the internet.
In the spirit of those tapes, I’ve compiled my own “best of” list, featuring five of Dory Funk Jr.’s greatest matches:
Dory Funk Jr. vs. Horst Hoffman
AJPW | Dec. 15,1975
This is an exciting glimpse into a younger version of Dory Funk Jr., only two years removed from his reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. While I’ve admittedly never heard of his opponent, Horst Hoffman, he managed to accentuate Dory’s strengths, resulting in an exhibition that feels like a legitimate fight.
Rating: ***½
The Funks vs. The Sheik & Abdullah The Butcher
AJPW | Dec. 15, 1977
This is the first installment in a series of four legendary matches between the Funks and the team of The Sheik and Abdullah the Butcher. While this doesn’t quite reach the spectacular heights of their subsequent matches, it does set the table for one of tag team wrestling’s greatest rivalries.
Rating: ****¼
Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jerry Lawler
CWA | March 30, 1981
On the heels of Jerry Lawler’s no disqualification match against Terry Funk, Dory arrived in Memphis to avenge his younger brother’s loss. The intrigue here is the juxtaposition between the absurdity of Memphis wrestling and Dory’s puritanical demeanor. Look no further than Jimmy Hart, who was suspended above the ring, writhing in his harness.
Rating: ****
Dory Funk Jr. vs. Harley Race
AJPW | Dec. 12, 1981
Dory Funk Jr. and Harley Race’s historic rivalry spanned the better part of 22 years, amassing 124 encounters in the squared circle (according to WrestlingData.com). 38 of those contests were for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In fact, it was Race who defeated Dory on May 24, 1973; ending his 1,563-day reign as champion.
While the majority of their film hasn’t been unearthed, this match stands as a testament to their familiarity. While both men are a step slower, this is still reminiscent of the vaunted world championship bouts of the seventies.
Rating: ***¼
The Funks vs. Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody
AJPW | Dec. 8, 1984
Great wrestling matches adopt the characteristics of their competitors. Given the sheer physicality of Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody, this feels more like a bar room brawl than a professional wrestling match. However, it’s Dory’s performance as the face in peril that sparks an otherworldly performance from Terry — who quickly devolved into a vicious wildman.
Rating: ****½
Support AFP
Share
