Pro wrestling icon Dory Funk Jr. has died at the age of 85, WWE announced on Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately released.
Funk Jr., whose career spanned decades, followed in the footsteps of his father, Dory Funk Sr., and was the brother of fellow wrestling legend Terry Funk. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with his brother in 2009, and the NWA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Born in Hammond, Indiana, Dory Funk Jr. and his brother rose to prominence in the wrestling world during the 1960s through the 1990s, competing internationally, particularly in Japan. In February 1969, he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which was then considered the industry's premier title. He held the championship for over four years, marking the second-longest uninterrupted reign in the belt's history.
"From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry," WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque stated in a post on X. "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."
Funk Jr. later established the Funking Conservatory wrestling school with his wife, Marti. The school trained numerous WWE superstars, including Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry, and Mickie James.
Wrestler Nattie Neidhart recalled Funk Jr. as her grandfather Stu Hart's "favorite champion in Stampede Wrestling." She added, "Dory defined the word CLASSIC. He was a genuine draw, made everyone he stepped into the ring with look like a million bucks and he was always respected for how easy he was to do business with. Those qualities are what made him one of the true greats."
Neidhart also noted the significant impact of the Funk family on professional wrestling, stating that Dory's contributions helped shape the business for generations. She expressed gratitude for the long-standing respect and friendship between the Funk and Hart families.