Terry Funk has died at the age of 79, leaving behind a spectacular legacy but also questions about his cause of death.
Terry Funk was one of the most influential and respected professional wrestlers of all time.
He had a career that spanned over five decades, during which he competed in various promotions around the world and pioneered the hardcore wrestling style.
He was also a successful actor, author, and musician.
Terry Funk passed away on August 23, 2023, at the age of 79 and this article explores his life, legacy and cause of death.
Terry Funk Cause of death
Terry Funk passed away on August 23, 2023, at the age of 79.
His manager, Timothy Beal, and an official statement from WWE confirmed the tragic development.
The cause of death of Terry Funk was not immediately released, but Beal said that Funk “was in bad health for some time” and was “in a nursing home”
Funk had suffered from various health issues throughout his life, especially due to his hardcore wrestling style.
He had multiple surgeries on his knees, hips, elbows, back, neck, and abdomen.
He also had a hernia operation in 20164 In July 2021, it was reported that Terry Funk was living in an assisted living facility and was suffering from dementia.
His official Twitter account provided an update on his condition: “Yes, Mr. Funk is currently receiving residential care for his multiple health issues, which do affect his mind as well as the rest of his body. As you can imagine, some days are better than others. He & his family appreciate all of your kind words! FOREVER!”
Biography
Terry Funk was born on June 30, 1944, in Hammond, Indiana.
He was the son of Dorothy (Culver) and Dory Funk, a professional wrestler and promoter.
Following the end of World War II, the family relocated to Amarillo, Texas, where Terry and his brother, known professionally as Dory Jr., grew up in the professional wrestling business.
Terry Funk started his career in 1965, working in his father’s Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo, Texas.
His debut match was against Sputnik Monroe.
He and his brother quickly rose up the ranks as a team and in single matches against top names like Ernie Ladd and Hank James. They became big money wrestlers by the end of the decade.
Terry Funk achieved his first major success in 1975, when he defeated Jack Brisco to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
He was the second man to hold the title after his brother Dory Jr., who had a four-year reign from 1969 to 1973.
Terry Funk defended his title for 14 months against challengers like Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Giant Baba, Abdullah the Butcher, and Billy Robinson.
He lost the title to Race in a rematch in 1977.
Terry Funk continued to wrestle for various NWA territories throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Championship Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling, Big Time Wrestling, and Stampede Wrestling.
In 1985, Terry Funk made his debut in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he was managed by Jimmy Hart.
He feuded with Hulk Hogan over the WWF Championship, but failed to win the title.
He also had memorable matches with Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana, Ricky Steamboat, and Brutus Beefcake. He left the WWF in 1986 after participating in WrestleMania.
In 1989, Terry Funk returned to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), which was later renamed World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
He challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Clash of the Champions IX in a classic match that ended in a no-contest.
He then joined forces with Gary Hart and The Great Muta to form The J-Tex Corporation, a heel faction that feuded with Flair and Sting.
He lost to Flair in an “I Quit” match at Clash of the Champions X.
Terry Funk left WCW in 1990 and wrestled for various independent promotions until 1994, when he returned to WCW as part of Hulk Hogan’s entourage.
He later turned on Hogan and joined Kevin Sullivan’s Dungeon of Doom faction.
He also formed a tag team with Bunkhouse Buck called The Stud Stable, which won the WCW World Tag Team Championship twice. He left WCW again in 1995.
Terry Funk passed away in August 2023. His cause of death has yet to be definitively established.
Terry Funk net worth
According to various online sources (Wikipedia, Forbes, Bloomberg), Terry Funk’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million as of 2021.
Terry Funk’s net worth is largely the result of his success as an American professional wrestler.
He earned money from working for various promotions around the world for over five decades.
He also made money from his acting, writing, and music career.