WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley has paid tribute to the late Terry Funk, who passed away in the evening of August 23rd, 2023.
Funk had been in an assisted living facility since 2021, suffering from dementia after a lifetiem on the road as a professional wrestling.
Despite being famous for retiring, Terry Funk’s last wrestling match took place in 2017, before his illness made performing for the fans impossible.
Wrestlers like Ric Flair had paid tribute to the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, which include his former protégée and fellow legend Mick Foley.
Mick Foley posted a tribute to Terry Funk on his Facebook page, learning of his death from Funk’s daughter.
He called Funk his mentor, and gushed about the wrestling legend, saying “there will never be another like him”.
“I’m struggling to process this — but Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, and one of my closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.”
“If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many. There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. RIP my dear friend – it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk“
“I will be writing much more about Terry in the next few days.”
Mick Foley and Terry Funk had some legendary battles in Japan, revolutionizing the death match in some iconic matches.
They also did battle in ECW, as well as working as a tag team in WWE – Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie teamed together in a series of matches against the New Age Outlaws, culminating in the legendary Dumster Match.
Terry Funk was just 79 when he died. This is young for the general population, but a good innings for a pro wrestler with the mileage Funk had in his career.