Terry Funk, legendary wrestler, Hall of Fame inductee dies at 79

Terry Funk, a highly versatile and impactful figure in professional wrestling, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79, WWE confirmed.

Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, Funk also gained entry into the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame just two years earlier. His achievements include securing the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) heavyweight championship in 1975, as well as clinching the Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) title in both 1993 and 1997.

Funk's wrestling career spanned an impressive 52 years, ending with his final match in 2017.

Ric Flair, who was his rival in storylines during the late 1980s, shared on social media that he had never faced a man who put in more effort throughout his life. Flair praised Terry Funk as an exceptional wrestler and entertainer, noting his incredible fearlessness, and referred to him as a wonderful friend.
During the 1970s and the initial years of the 1980s, Funk gained prominence as a prominent figure in the territory-based wrestling scene. He took center stage in significant bouts held in locations like Florida and Memphis, Tennessee. His opponents included renowned names like Dusty Rhodes and Jerry Lawler.

Venturing into Japan, Funk's popularity soared as he formed a villainous tag team alongside his sibling, Dory Jr. In late 1980s, he engaged in championship clashes with Hulk Hogan in the WWF and delivered memorable performances in WCW, notably against Flair, leaving audiences awestruck.
Viewers who tuned in to wrestling during the 1990s were acquainted with Funk through his involvement in the renegade ECW league. There, he engaged in intense battles with notable adversaries such as Cactus Jack (Mick Foley), Raven, The Sandman, and Tommy Dreamer. Funk's reign as ECW champion came to an end in a brutal barbed-wire match against the daredevil Sabu.

Subsequently, he transitioned to the WWF, adopting the persona of Chainsaw Charlie. This phase saw him team up with Foley, and together, they clinched the tag team titles during the WWF's dynamic "Attitude Era."
Funk, hailing from Indiana but adopting Amarillo, Texas as his wrestling base, continued to deliver unforgettable performances even in his 50s.

Funk was also featured in various films, notably the 1980s iconic favorite "Road House," and he participated in Sylvester Stallone's productions like "Paradise Alley" and "Over the Top." In the latter, he even took on the additional role of being the stunt coordinator.