WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr., a titan of the legendary Funk wrestling family, has died at age 85, WWE announced Tuesday.
Born into a wrestling lineage shaped by his father, Dory Funk Sr., Dory Funk Jr. built a career lasting more than 50 years across the United States and Japan. He recalled in a 2007 interview with WWE that his father's influence drove his ambitions in the sport: "As a kid, I used to dream I could do all the things my father could do. I wanted to be just like him," Funk said.
Funk's in-ring accomplishments included a four-year reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a title he held longer than all but Lou Thesz in the championship's history. Beyond competing, he worked as a wrestling promoter in both the United States and Japan during his travels.
Brief but Memorable WWE Run
Funk made his debut with the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 alongside his brother, Terry. The duo, managed by Jimmy Hart, defeated Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana at WrestleMania 2 that year, a highlight of a stint with the company that proved short-lived. Despite the brief tenure, Funk continued wrestling and later moved into promotional work, helping shape the sport's future.WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H credited Funk's travels across North America and Asia, including stops at WCW, ECW and numerous NWA-affiliated promotions, with helping build professional wrestling into a global industry. "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," Triple H wrote in a post on X, adding that his thoughts were with Funk's loved ones.
Legacy as a Trainer
After his active wrestling career, Funk followed his father's example by founding the Funking Conservatory, a wrestling school he ran with his wife, Marti, whom he married in 1989. The school became a key training ground for talent that would go on to define WWE's Attitude Era, producing performers including Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry and Mickie James.Funk and his brother Terry were formally inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, with the induction handled by their longtime friend Dusty Rhodes.
Tributes From the Wrestling World
Canadian American wrestler Nattie Neidhart said her grandfather, Stu Hart, considered Funk his favorite champion during his time in Stampede Wrestling. "Dory was everything you could ask for in a professional wrestler," she wrote on Instagram, adding that he "defined the word CLASSIC" and was known for making opponents "look like a million bucks" while being easy to work with. Neidhart also noted the long-standing bond between the Funk and Hart wrestling families, saying, "We are grateful for the respect and friendship shared between the Funks and the Harts over the years.”Wrestler Chris Jericho also paid tribute on Instagram, recalling that Funk supported him from their first meeting in 1994 through their last encounter a few years ago. "He was an awesome story teller and one of the all time greats! Thank you for everything you gave to the business and to me, Fuanku-San!" Jericho wrote.