Although he's recognized as a wrestling legend, the scope of Terry Funk's wrestling career should not be understated. Funk first started wrestling in 1965 and he didn't retire (for good!) until 2017 at age 73.
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Terry Funk ventured into Hollywood, wrestled at the first WrestleMania, and competed in insanely bloody matches in ECW. He's an all-time great who rose to prominence in the 1970s and this list will examine ten things wrestling fans should know about Funk's time in that decade.
10 Won The NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Terry Funk became a World champion in the 1970s. Although the current status of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship isn't on par with other major World championships, Funk won the title when it was arguably the most coveted prize in professional wrestling. In December of 1975, Funk defeated Joe Brisco to win the title and he held onto the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for 424 days.
9 Defeated Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz is one of the most innovative wrestlers who ever lived. Many consider him the greatest wrestler of all time. Thesz started wrestling before Funk was born and competed until the 1990s. The two first clashed in the ring in 1969, but Funk didn't get a win over Thesz until 1975.
The victory was a massive win for Terry Funk, who would win the NWA World title later in the year after his victory over Thesz. Their 1975 match was also the last time the two would ever compete against each other in a wrestling match.
8 Voted PWI "Wrestler Of The Year" In 1976
Pro Wrestling Illustrated first introduced its "Wrestler Of The Year" award in 1972. Terry Funk's NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign helped Funk win the illustrious award in 1976. He was only the fifth person ever to be awarded "Wrestler Of The Year", joining the likes of Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino.
7 Won A Battle Royal That Featured Andre the Giant
The first time Terry Funk and Andre the Giant ever crossed paths in the ring, Funk won a 14-man battle royal that also included Ted DiBiase. Defeating Andre the Giant in the 1970s was rare, especially considering he was usually unstoppable in battle royals.
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He could pick up any wrestler on the planet and toss them out of the ring if he wished. Funk won the battle royal in 1974 and continued to clash with Andre over the decade.
6 Wrestled His First WWE Match
Younger fans associate Terry Funk with ECW and his career in WWE. His time as "Chainsaw Charlie" wasn't the first time Funk arrived to WWE. The Funks (Dory Funk Sr. & Terry Funk) wrestled all over the world in the '70s. They debuted in WWE at Madison Square Garden in a match against The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent). Funk also made his singles debut in the company defeating Chuck Richards in 1973.
5 Teamed Up With Bruno Sammartino
Terry Funk and Bruno Sammartino met in the ring for the first time in 1972. The two competed in a tag team match in Tokyo, Japan. The team defeated Giant Baba & Thunder Sugiyama in a Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match. This was their only televised match.
The two would cross paths again at Halloween Havoc 1989, when Sammartino was the special referee in the Thunderdome Cage main event between the teams of Ric Flair & Sting and Terry Funk & The Great Muta, both managed by Gary Hart at the time.
4 Defended The NWA Title All Over The World
Terry Funk's NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign included almost 200 title defenses. He was truly a "World" champion since he defended the belt all over the globe. Not only did Funk travel to Canada, but he also defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
3 Wrestled Antonio Inoki For The First And Last Time In The '70s
Antonio Inoki is a wrestling icon that transcended generations. He also adds to Terry Funk's very decorated wrestling resume. The two met in the ring multiple times in the 1970s.
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In their first match, The Funks defeated Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura in a tag match in Tokyo, Japan. The two also had a few singles matches although Funk was never able to best Inoki. Their last recorded match was for the NWA International Tag Team Title, where The Funks defeated Antonio Inoki & Giant Baba to win the title.
2 Had A Long Rivalry With Bobo Brazil
Bobo Brazil is a wrestling icon that transcended boundaries but also elevated wrestling as a whole. He and Terry Funk have matches dating back to 1972. The pair clashed in multiple singles matches through the '70s but also competed in tag team matches where Bobo Brazil was often the victor.
1 Defeated The Rock's Grandpa And Dad In The Same Year
Terry Funk defeated many big-name wrestlers during is time as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, including Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes, Giant Baba, and Harley Race. In 1976, Terry Funk also defeated Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson. The two are a part of the famous Anoa'i family (Rocky Johnson by marriage). The family also includes Roman Reigns, The Usos, The Rock, and many (many!) others.
