Dory Funk Jr.
Dory Funk Jr., born Dorrance Earnest Funk Jr. on February 3, 1941, in Amarillo, Texas, is an American professional wrestler, trainer, and patriarch of the renowned Funk wrestling dynasty, celebrated for his technical prowess and record-setting 1,563-day reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion from 1969 to 1973.[1][2] As the son of promoter and wrestler Dory Funk Sr. and older brother to fellow Hall of Famer Terry Funk, he debuted in professional wrestling in 1963 after a college football career at West Texas State University, quickly rising to prominence in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories.[3][1] Funk captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on February 11, 1969, by defeating Gene Kiniski in Tampa, Florida, and defended it against international challengers including Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba during tours in Japan, where he became a staple of All Japan Pro Wrestling for decades.[3][1] He teamed frequently with his brother Terry, winning multiple tag team titles such as the NWA International Tag Team Championship and excelling in Japan's Real World Tag League tournaments in 1977, 1979, and 1982.[3] Later in his career, Funk transitioned into training, developing the "Dory Funk Method" and operating the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida, since 1999, where he mentored future stars like Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle.[3][2] Funk's legacy extends to numerous accolades, including induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 alongside Terry as "The Funks," the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011, and four other wrestling halls of fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport's technical and global evolution.[4][2][5] Despite semi-retiring from full-time competition, he continued wrestling sporadically into his 80s, including matches as recently as 2024, and remains active as a trainer and ambassador for professional wrestling.[3][6]Early life
Family background
Dorrance Earnest Funk Jr. was born on February 3, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana, to professional wrestler and promoter Dory Funk Sr. and his wife Dorothy Culver Funk.[7][8] The family relocated to Amarillo, Texas, shortly after his birth, where Dory Sr. built a renowned wrestling territory through Western States Sports, establishing the Funks as a cornerstone of regional professional wrestling.[7] Raised on the Flying Mare Ranch southwest of Amarillo alongside his younger brother Terry—born in 1944 and later a fellow wrestler—Funk grew up immersed in the family business.[5][9] His household revolved around wrestling, with frequent exposure to matches at the Amarillo Sports Arena, where his father booked events, and casual family discussions on the intricacies of the profession, including holds and strategies shared during downtime.[7][3] While the wrestling legacy dominated, young Funk pursued other interests, notably football, attending West Texas State University and playing as a tackle, reflecting the physical discipline instilled by his family's athletic heritage.[9][7] This upbringing in a wrestling dynasty provided an early foundation for his eventual training under his father.[3]Introduction to wrestling
Dory Funk Jr., born in 1941, developed an early fascination with professional wrestling through constant exposure to his family's deep involvement in the sport, particularly his father Dory Funk Sr.'s promotion of the Amarillo territory in Texas, which provided a formative backdrop for his interest. As a child, he frequently watched his father compete in high-profile matches, including grueling bouts against top competitors, igniting a lifelong dream to follow in the family business.[10] During the 1950s, while attending Canyon High School in Canyon, Texas, Funk immersed himself in athletics, though specific amateur wrestling participation is not well-documented.[11] In college at West Texas State University from 1959 to 1963, he focused primarily on football as a tackle, contributing to a successful team that achieved a 15-game winning streak, yet maintained ties to wrestling through educational pursuits, including student teaching as coach of the Tascosa High School wrestling team under Coach James Kyle.[10][7] Around age 18, as he began college, the pervasive influence of his father's thriving promotion—featuring weekly events at local venues—solidified his observations of the professional scene and prompted his decision to enter the industry upon graduation.[10][7] Funk's early years were marked by close-up views of professional matches in the Amarillo territory, where he witnessed legendary performers like Lou Thesz, a frequent visitor who headlined cards and interacted with promoters like his father during the late 1950s. These encounters offered him direct insights into the athleticism and showmanship required, without formal involvement at the time. His primary motivation for pursuing wrestling professionally stemmed from a commitment to perpetuating the family legacy, viewing it as a natural extension of the heritage his father had established in the heart of Texas wrestling.[7]Professional wrestling career
Training and debut
Dory Funk Jr. began his formal training in professional wrestling under the guidance of his father, Dory Funk Sr., at the family-owned Flying Mare Ranch southwest of Amarillo, Texas, as well as in a garage and ring setup in the area, around the early 1960s following his college football career at West Texas State University.[12] The regimen emphasized core fundamentals, including mastering various holds—often practiced on his younger brother Terry Funk to build endurance and technique—while developing stamina through prolonged sessions of being stretched and locked in submissions, and learning ring psychology to understand crowd engagement and match flow.[12][7] Dory Sr., a seasoned promoter and wrestler known for his rigorous methods, instilled a four-year apprenticeship mindset, warning his son that true proficiency in the business required extensive time and resilience.[12] Funk made his professional debut on January 10, 1963, in Amarillo, Texas, defeating Jack Dalton, better known as Don Fargo, in a match that showcased his emerging technical prowess and marked his entry into the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territorial system.[13][14][1] With West Texas State All-American Jerry Logan in his corner, the bout highlighted Funk's disciplined style rooted in his father's teachings, drawing from the family's deep wrestling heritage as motivation to transition from amateur sports.[1] In the ensuing months, Funk was booked in regional NWA shows across the Amarillo territory, often partnering with his brother Terry to refine their synchronized technical approach, emphasizing chain wrestling, submissions, and strategic pacing over brawling.[7] Early challenges included adapting to professional rules that prioritized showmanship and predetermined outcomes over the competitive intensity of amateur wrestling and football, requiring him to balance athleticism with storytelling in the ring.[7] Fan reception in Texas was generally positive, bolstered by the Funks' local prominence, though initial matches tested his ability to connect with audiences accustomed to the territory's hard-edged style.[7]NWA dominance and championship reign (1963–1973)
Following his debut, Dory Funk Jr. established himself as a prominent figure in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories during the mid-1960s, regularly booking matches in key regions such as Florida and Texas. In Florida under promoter Eddie Graham, Funk competed in high-profile bouts that showcased his technical prowess, including early encounters with rising star Jack Brisco, whose amateur wrestling background led to intense rivalries emphasizing grappling and endurance.[15] In Texas, particularly through his family's Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo, he defended regional titles and built a reputation for reliable performances against established heels like Harley Race, whose aggressive style contrasted Funk's methodical approach in territorial circuits across the Southwest.[7] Funk's territorial success culminated on February 11, 1969, when he defeated Gene Kiniski via spinning toe hold submission in Tampa, Florida, to capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, a title he would hold for four and a half years until May 1973.[3] This victory, arranged through NWA board negotiations, marked Funk as the organization's premier champion, succeeding Kiniski's reign and solidifying the Amarillo promotion's influence within the alliance. During his championship tenure, Funk defended the title extensively across NWA affiliates, wrestling an estimated five nights per week against a diverse array of challengers, which allowed him to maintain the belt through over 1,000 matches while traveling to territories like Missouri, Georgia, and the Midwest.[16] Key storylines revolved around high-stakes rivalries with international stars, including defenses against Japan's Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, which served as previews for cross-promotional opportunities and highlighted Funk's adaptability in blending American and Japanese strong-style elements.[3] His feud with Jack Brisco intensified during this period, featuring multi-man tournaments and 60-minute draws that built anticipation for potential title changes, while clashes with Harley Race emphasized brawling versus technical mastery in sold-out arenas.[17] Funk's reign had a profound impact on the NWA's structure, as he actively promoted the Amarillo territory by integrating it into national booking rotations, ensuring consistent revenue through title tours that bolstered smaller affiliates.[7] His collaboration with promoters like Fritz Von Erich in Texas facilitated joint events and talent exchanges, such as tag team defenses and regional supercards, which strengthened territorial alliances and elevated the NWA's cohesive booking model during a competitive era.[3]Expansion to Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling (1973–1987)
Following the loss of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Jack Brisco on May 24, 1973, Dory Funk Jr. embarked on his first tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) later that year, debuting on October 9 at Sumo Hall in Tokyo alongside his brother Terry Funk in a time-limit draw against Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta for the NWA International Tag Team Championship.[18] This tour marked a pivotal expansion for Funk, introducing elements of American technical wrestling to Japanese audiences, where his reputation as a former world champion drew significant interest from promoters seeking to blend international talent with local stars.[9] Over the subsequent years, Funk's performances helped establish AJPW as a premier promotion, contrasting with the more brawling-oriented styles prevalent elsewhere by emphasizing mat-based grappling and endurance. Funk solidified his "Texas wrestler" persona during these tours, characterized by his signature spinning toe hold submission—a hold he popularized through methodical application against opponents like Giant Baba, whom he challenged for the PWF Heavyweight Championship on January 30, 1974, in a best-of-three-falls match that highlighted his resilience despite not capturing the title.[19] Major bouts against Baba and other AJPW pillars, including tag team clashes with foreign heels like Abdullah the Butcher and The Sheik, showcased Funk's ability to adapt his cowboy-inspired ruggedness to the Japanese ring, often resulting in bloody, intense encounters that captivated crowds.[20] His earlier encounters with Antonio Inoki in Japan Wrestling Association events, such as the NWA World Heavyweight title defense on December 2, 1969, had already built his mystique, but in AJPW, Funk focused on elevating the promotion's tag division through annual appearances.[21] From 1973 to 1987, Funk conducted multiple annual tours, often teaming with Terry to win the Real World Tag League (now known as the World's Strongest Tag Determination League) in 1977, 1979, and 1982, defeating teams like Baba and Tsuruta in finals that underscored the Funks' dominance and boosted AJPW's global appeal.[22] Individually, he captured the NWA International Heavyweight Championship three times, with reigns including a tournament victory in 1981, solidifying his status as a top foreign draw.[9] These achievements balanced his ongoing NWA commitments in the U.S., where his championship pedigree continued to attract Japanese bookings. Funk's immersion in Japan involved cultural adaptations, such as respecting local customs like bowing and group training sessions, which fostered respect among peers and fans; he served as a "player-coach," mentoring talents like Tsuruta (whom he trained in Amarillo in 1972) and influencing AJPW's evolution toward a hybrid style blending American technique with Japanese intensity, laying groundwork for the promotion's "King's Road" approach.[3] By 1987, over a decade of consistent tours—part of what would become 70 total trips—had cemented Funk's legacy in AJPW, where his technical prowess and persona helped transition the promotion from reliance on imported stars to nurturing homegrown legends.[3]WWF appearance and U.S. promotions (1986–1989)
In 1986, Dory Funk Jr. debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as "Hoss" Funk, positioning himself as a seasoned jobber to help showcase emerging stars while leveraging his extensive experience from the territorial era.[3] He frequently teamed with his brother Terry Funk in tag team bouts, including a handicap loss to André the Giant and the Junkyard Dog on March 23, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, where manager Jimmy Hart joined them in the match.[23] The Funks also fell to the same opponents on the May 3, 1986, episode of Saturday Night's Main Event, highlighting their role in building momentum for WWF's top attractions through competitive but losing efforts.[24] In singles action, Funk dropped a match to George Wells via pinfall at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1986, demonstrating his technical prowess even in defeat.[25] Funk's WWF stint emphasized adaptation to the promotion's entertainment-focused style, contrasting the storytelling depth of traditional territorial wrestling he had mastered during his NWA days.[3] He participated in tag team divisions but rarely pursued singles pushes, reflecting the WWF's preference for flashier personas over pure mat technicians at the time. Concurrently, Funk maintained commitments to All Japan Pro Wrestling tours as a side endeavor, balancing U.S. opportunities with his established international draw.[18] Transitioning from WWF in 1987, Funk ventured to the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico, where he and Terry challenged the dominant Road Warriors for the WWC World Tag Team Championship at the 14th Anniversary event on September 20, 1987, in Bayamón, losing by disqualification after 8 minutes amid intense brawling.[26] The match underscored the Funks' hard-hitting family dynamic against powerhouse teams, drawing strong crowds in the Caribbean territory. Funk's WWC run peaked in 1988 with a high-profile feud against promotion cornerstone Carlos Colón, emblematic of clashes between American invaders and local heroes. On February 13, 1988, he captured the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, holding it for 56 days before dropping it to Colón on April 9.[27] Earlier that year, at the February 27 La Copa Gillette tournament in San Juan, Funk defeated Colón in the opening round but fell to him later in the event, intensifying their rivalry with technical exchanges and crowd-pleasing near-falls.[28] He also battled Bruiser Brody in a brutal singles encounter on the same card, showcasing his resilience in stiff, no-holds-barred style typical of WWC main events.[29] By 1988–1989, as the National Wrestling Alliance's territorial system fragmented amid WWF's national expansion, Funk shifted to independent U.S. bookings and lingering regional promotions, including sporadic AWA appearances where he faced veterans like Nick Bockwinkel in showcase matches.[30] These outings, often in smaller venues across the Midwest and South, allowed him to mentor younger wrestlers while earning through one-off events, adapting his ring generalship to a landscape increasingly dominated by televised spectacle over long-term angles.[31]Returns to All Japan and international tours (1990–1996)
In 1990, Dory Funk Jr. made a significant return to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), joining his brother Terry Funk for a series of tag team matches that revitalized their presence in the promotion during its rising prominence in the early 1990s. Their comeback began in October, highlighted by participation in the Real World Tag League tournament, where they competed against top international and domestic teams, ultimately finishing tied for third place with 17 points.[32] This period marked AJPW's golden era, characterized by intense, realistic strong-style wrestling, and the Funks' involvement helped bridge the gap between veteran technicians and the emerging generation of talent. Throughout the early 1990s, Funk continued regular tours with AJPW, often teaming with established stars to mentor and challenge younger wrestlers known as "young lions." Notable encounters included tag team victories over Kenta Kobashi and partners, such as defeating Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi on December 4, 1990, during the Real World Tag League, and a six-man tag match on March 4, 1992, alongside André the Giant and Giant Baba against Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, and Kikuchi at Budokan Hall.[33] These bouts emphasized Funk's technical prowess and contributions to AJPW's emphasis on hard-hitting, credible performances, influencing the promotion's evolution under Giant Baba's leadership. Funk's AJPW commitments extended into the mid-1990s, with consistent appearances that solidified his role as a respected veteran without a full-time U.S. base, allowing focused international excursions. In 1992, he teamed with Stan Hansen and Shohei Baba in a high-profile six-man tag against Jumbo Tsuruta, Terry Gordy, and André the Giant on October 21 in Tokyo, showcasing cross-generational dynamics.[11] By 1996, Funk participated in events like the October Giant Series, teaming with Akira Taue and Giant Baba against Tsuruta, Jun Akiyama, and Mitsuharu Misawa on October 18, further mentoring rising stars amid AJPW's deepening talent pool.[34] These tours underscored Funk's enduring value in promoting cross-cultural wrestling exchanges, drawing on his foundational work in Japan from the 1970s to facilitate seamless integration.ECW involvement and independent circuit (1993–2000)
In 1994, Dory Funk Jr. made his debut in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), reuniting with his brother Terry Funk to lend veteran credibility to the upstart promotion known for its hardcore style. The brothers quickly entered a feud with the tag team The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock), showcasing Funk's technical wrestling roots against the duo's brawling approach.[35] On June 24, 1994, at ECW's Hostile City Showdown, the Funks defeated The Public Enemy by disqualification in a tag team match. Their rivalry culminated on July 16, 1994, at Heat Wave '94, where The Public Enemy defeated the Funks in a no-ropes barbed wire match, highlighting the physical toll of ECW's extreme rules on the 52-year-old Funk.[36] Funk returned to ECW in 1997 for a series of hardcore bouts, adapting his classic submission-based style to the promotion's violent environment while mentoring younger talent. On September 11, 1997, at the ECW-affiliated WrestleFest: 50 Years of Funk event honoring his brother Terry, Funk defeated rising star Rob Van Dam via pinfall in a singles match, demonstrating his enduring ring generalship against high-flying opponents.[37] Just two weeks later, on September 27, 1997, at an ECW house show in Orlando, Funk challenged ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas but lost the non-title bout, marking a brief but impactful comeback that bridged generational divides in the roster.[38] Throughout the mid-1990s, Funk maintained an active presence on the U.S. independent circuit, competing in regional promotions and feuding with both established veterans and emerging talents to stay sharp amid sporadic international tours. In Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW), he teamed with Terry Funk in 1994 for a series of matches against the Armstrong brothers (Scott and Steve), including a victory on July 1 at Summer Blast '94 #1 and subsequent disqualifications that built tension in multi-man brawls. By 1997, Funk appeared in Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS), drawing with Tommy Gilbert on March 13 at the Eddie Gilbert Memorial Show, a technical affair that paid homage to the late promoter.[39] He also challenged for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on April 12, 1997, at the NWA's 2nd Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl, ending in a double count-out draw against Dan Severn, underscoring Funk's role in elevating the title's prestige through stiff, realistic encounters.[40] As the decade progressed, Funk transitioned to a more part-time wrestling schedule, prioritizing his responsibilities in promoting and training at the family-run wrestling school in Ocala, Florida, where he honed future stars while occasionally stepping back into the ring for select independents.[3] This shift allowed him to balance his legacy as a performer with his growing influence as a coach, reducing full-time tours but ensuring continued contributions to the U.S. scene.Semi-retirement and sporadic matches (2001–2012)
Following an active period on the independent circuit in the late 1990s, Dory Funk Jr. transitioned into semi-retirement around 2001, significantly reducing his in-ring schedule to focus on selective guest appearances and nostalgia-driven events in the United States.[41] One of his early sporadic outings came on November 27, 2002, when Funk teamed with his student Adam Windsor in a dark match for NWA Total Nonstop Action in Nashville, Tennessee, defeating Homicide and Rainman.[42] Funk's appearances often emphasized family ties and legacy, including singles matches against his brother Terry Funk for IWA Mid-South—first on March 8, 2003, in Clarksville, Indiana, and again on March 19, 2005, in the same promotion.[43] In 2005, Funk participated in multiple nostalgia events at WrestleReunion in Florida, highlighting his storied career. On January 29 at WrestleReunion 1 in Tampa, he and Terry challenged America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) for the NWA World Tag Team Championships but lost by disqualification after 10 minutes. Later that year, on August 27 at WrestleReunion 2 in Tampa, Funk joined Terry and Mick Foley in a six-man tag team match against The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, and Stan Lane), resulting in a defeat. These short tours and tributes underscored his enduring influence without demanding a full-time commitment.[44][45] Funk also competed on March 5, 2005, at the World Wrestling Legends 6:05 event, partnering with Mike Graham to defeat David Flair and Tully Blanchard in a tag team match.[41] Beyond the ring, Funk maintained a presence at wrestling conventions, where he shared insights from his career, while his primary emphasis shifted to running the Funkin' Conservatory wrestling school in Ocala, Florida. By the late 2000s, advancing age and related health considerations further limited his match frequency, aligning with a deliberate step back from regular competition.[3][46]Late-career returns to Japan (2013–2024)
In 2013, Dory Funk Jr. returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) during their Anniversary Tour, marking a notable comeback after years away from the promotion's ring. On October 27, he teamed with his brother Terry Funk in a 20-minute tag team match against veterans Masanobu Fuchi and Osamu Nishimura at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, ending in a time-limit draw that highlighted the enduring appeal of the Funk family's legacy in Japanese wrestling.[47] This appearance was part of multi-man bouts featuring fellow legends, emphasizing camaraderie among Japan's wrestling pioneers. Funk continued his selective engagements with AJPW through 2017, participating in multiple tours that showcased his veteran presence alongside established stars. On April 18, during the Champion Carnival 45th Anniversary Series, he joined Jun Akiyama, Shuji Ishikawa, and Ultimo Dragon in an eight-man tag team victory over Daisuke Sekimoto, Koji Iwamoto, Osamu Nishimura, and Kento Miyahara, blending tag team coordination with submission holds against a mix of younger and seasoned opponents.[48] Later that year, on November 19 in Sapporo, Funk competed in another eight-man tag as part of the "Legends of Wrestling" lineup, teaming with figures like Nishimura to defeat emerging talent in matches focused on technical exchanges and narrative-driven sequences.[49] His final AJPW bout came on November 28, 2017, in a tag team effort that underscored his role in bridging generations through structured storytelling rather than high-impact athleticism, adapting to his age by prioritizing psychology and veteran guidance.[50] Although no confirmed in-ring appearances occurred in AJPW during 2018 or 2019, Funk's U.S.-based semi-retirement enabled these targeted international trips, allowing him to maintain his influence without full-time commitments.[6] In 2024, at the age of 83, Funk made significant Japan appearances, including backstage involvement at WWE's Royal Rumble event earlier in the year before shifting focus to domestic promotions. He returned to the ring for the FMW-E Terry Funk Memorial & Atsushi Onita 50th Anniversary event on August 24 in Kawasaki, teaming with Osamu Nishimura to defeat Onita and Raijin Yaguchi via submission in a Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match, a grueling showcase that adapted his classic spinning toe hold for dramatic effect amid explosive stipulations. These outings emphasized Funk's evolution toward match psychology and veteran resilience, using submissions and tag dynamics to engage crowds while conserving physical demands.[51]Retirement match
On August 24, 2024, Dory Funk Jr., at the age of 83, competed in his official retirement match during the FMW-E event titled "Terry Funk Memorial & Atsushi Onita 50th Anniversary – Kawasaki Legend 2024" at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki in Japan.[52][53] The bout was a tag team Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match, featuring exploding barbed wire, barricades, and baseball bats, where Funk teamed with Osamu Nishimura against hardcore wrestling pioneers Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi.[51][54] The 13-minute match incorporated intense hardcore elements, including multiple explosions and an exploding bat shot delivered to Funk's back by Onita, yet Funk remained resilient alongside his partner.[55][56] It concluded with victory for Funk's team when Nishimura applied a spinning toe hold submission to Yaguchi.[52][57] Post-match, the four competitors posed together amid fireworks, with Onita gesturing skyward in tribute, followed by Funk's emotional promo where he thanked his late brother Terry Funk and declared the bout as his final in-ring appearance and last visit to Japan.[57][58] This event marked Funk as one of the oldest verified male professional wrestlers to compete in a match at 83 years and 203 days old, the oldest in the Funk family. Held one year after Terry Funk's death on August 23, 2023, the match served as a poignant family tribute, beginning with a 10-bell salute and Funk channeling his brother's signature "FOREVER!" chant to honor their shared legacy in hardcore wrestling.[54][57]Training and legacy
Establishment of wrestling school
In late 1999, Dory Funk Jr. established the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida, as a dedicated professional wrestling training facility, building on his prior collaboration with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) through the Funking Dojo program introduced in 1998.[3] This marked a formal transition from informal training sessions to a structured school aimed at developing wrestlers, managers, and related professionals, initially operating as a six-day intensive camp that emphasized hands-on instruction.[59] The school's founding drew directly from Funk's decades of experience in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he had honed techniques for long-term matches and international tours, adapting them into a comprehensive curriculum known as the "Dory Funk Method."[3] The curriculum at the Funking Conservatory prioritizes technical wrestling proficiency, including mat work, submissions, and aerial maneuvers, alongside psychological elements such as storytelling, character development, and crowd engagement to simulate real-match dynamics.[60] Safety remains a core focus, with training protocols designed to minimize injury risks through proper form and progressive intensity, reflecting Funk's observations from high-stakes NWA and AJPW bouts.[61] Additional components cover television production skills, including promos, interviews, and on-camera performance, preparing students for modern media demands in wrestling promotions.[3] Programs are tailored for coed adult trainees as well as teenagers aged 14-17, with daily practice matches and specialized courses in areas like videography and announcing to broaden career opportunities.[60] Over the years, the school evolved from its camp origins into a year-round operation, incorporating daily televised training sessions by the 2010s to enhance exposure and feedback.[59] Post-2010, it integrated online elements through !BANG! TV, a 24/7 streaming platform on dory-funk.com that airs weekly tapings of student performances, "webbies" for storyline development, and instructional content, allowing global access to training highlights and tryouts.[60] This digital expansion also ties into Funk's personal promotion of wrestling shows, where the Conservatory serves as the official American training center for AJPW, facilitating international opportunities and live events featuring trainees.[60] Despite these adaptations, the facility has remained based in Ocala, maintaining its focus on in-person immersion while leveraging the website for recruitment and event promotion.[59]Notable students and influence
Dory Funk Jr. has trained numerous prominent wrestlers through his Funking Conservatory and earlier programs, including WWE stars such as Edge, Christian, Test, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, and Mickie James during the 1990s and 2000s.[3] Other notable alumni include Lita, Kurt Angle, Rhino, Chris Sabin, Christopher Daniels, and international talents like Jumbo Tsuruta.[3][62] These trainees honed their skills under Funk's "Dory Funk Method," emphasizing safety, in-ring performance, and television presentation, which contributed to their success in major promotions.[3] Funk's influence extends to the WWE and independent scenes through the achievements of his alumni, many of whom became main event performers and champions.[61] For instance, Edge and Christian revolutionized tag team wrestling, while the Hardy brothers popularized high-flying styles in WWE storylines.[62] His training legacy is further underscored by his own induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 as part of The Funks, alongside having trained WWE Hall of Famers including Edge, Lita, and Kurt Angle.[5][4] Funk made significant contributions to women's wrestling by training pioneers like Lita and Mickie James at his conservatory, helping elevate female performers in WWE during a pivotal era.[3] He also conducted global workshops, including over 70 trips to Japan to train wrestlers for All Japan Pro Wrestling and international boot camps that attracted Olympians and athletes from around the world.[3] As a bridge between territorial wrestling eras and modern promotions, Funk's mentorship preserved traditional techniques while adapting them for global audiences.[61] His enduring legacy includes tributes to his brother Terry Funk, such as a historic 2024 deathmatch in Japan at age 83, honoring their shared family impact on the industry.[54][63]Personal life
Family relationships
Dory Funk Jr. maintained a close professional and personal partnership with his younger brother, Terry Funk, throughout their wrestling careers, frequently teaming as the Funk Brothers in various promotions including the NWA territories and All Japan Pro Wrestling, where they dominated tag team divisions against opponents like The Sheik and Abdullah the Butcher.[7][64] This collaboration extended to managing the family-run Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo, Texas, following their father Dory Funk Sr.'s death in 1973, with the brothers sharing responsibilities in booking and performing to sustain the territory's operations.[7] Funk married his second wife, Marti Funk (née McKinley), in 1984 after meeting her in 1980 while she managed merchandise for a wrestling event; the couple settled in Ocala, Florida, where Marti became his key partner in transitioning to wrestling instruction by co-founding the Funking Conservatory in 1999.[65] From his first marriage to Jimmie Funk, which ended in divorce in 1983, he has three children: sons Dory Funk III, a physician practicing in Colorado, and Adam, a computer programmer, along with daughter Penny.[66][67] Following Terry Funk's death on August 23, 2023, Dory Funk Jr. delivered an emotional public tribute, reflecting on their lifelong bond, including near-daily conversations in later years, and highlighting the enduring family support from Terry's daughters, Stacy and Brandee, who cared for him during his final years.[63][68] In the tribute, Dory acknowledged the shared family legacy, noting his own sons, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandson as continuations of the Funk lineage, while thanking Marti for her unwavering support amid the grief.[63] The Funk family's support system proved vital during Dory's career shifts, particularly as he moved from full-time performing to training in the late 1990s, with Marti handling administrative and promotional duties at the conservatory to facilitate this evolution.[66][69] This partnership echoed the collaborative spirit he shared with Terry, providing stability as Dory adapted to semi-retirement and mentorship roles.[69]Health challenges and philanthropy
In his later years, Dory Funk Jr. has demonstrated extraordinary resilience amid the natural challenges of advanced age, continuing to engage in physically demanding activities well into his 80s. At 83 years old, he competed in a high-stakes Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match in Japan on August 24, 2024, teaming with Osamu Nishimura against Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi, marking him as the oldest male professional wrestler to participate in such an event.[51] Despite the match's explosive and grueling nature, Funk recovered sufficiently to resume public appearances, underscoring his enduring physical and mental fortitude.[70] Funk's philanthropic efforts center on fostering the next generation of wrestlers through the Funking Conservatory, a professional wrestling school he co-owns and operates with his wife Marti in Ocala, Florida, where he resides as of 2025. Established in 1999, the school provides specialized training to aspiring grapplers, emphasizing technical proficiency and in-ring experience, thereby contributing to the preservation and evolution of professional wrestling.[71] While not exclusively targeted at underprivileged youth, events hosted at the facility have supported local charitable causes, such as holiday shopping programs for children in need.[72] In 2022, the Funks made a donation to the Humane Society of Marion County as part of the Betty White Challenge to support animal welfare.[73] They have also participated in charity wrestling events, including a 2018 show with Mick Foley to raise funds.[74] Following his brother Terry Funk's death in August 2023, Dory Funk Jr. honored his legacy through active participation in memorial activities, including the 2024 tribute match in Japan dedicated to Terry's contributions to the industry.[75] In 2025, he continued engaging with fans at major events, such as his appearance at Starrcast Texas in July, where he interacted with attendees and celebrated wrestling's Texas roots, reflecting his ongoing commitment to community and camaraderie despite his age.[76] This lifestyle of selective but impactful involvement highlights Funk's resilient spirit, supported briefly by close family during recovery periods.[77]Championships and accomplishments
Championships
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – February 11, 1969 – May 24, 1973[78]
- NWA Amarillo North American Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[6]
- NWA Amarillo North American Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with various partners[6]
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version) (2 times)[6]
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[79]
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Terry Funk[6]
- NWA Florida Television Championship (2 times)[6]
- NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Terry Funk[6]
- NWA International Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[3]
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Terry Funk[6]
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[6]
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)[6]
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (2 times) – 1 with Terry Funk, 1 with David Von Erich[6]
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (6 times) – 2 with Ricky Romero, 2 with The Super Destroyer, 1 with Ray Candy, 1 with Larry Lane[6]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time) – with Terry Funk[6]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (2 times) – with Terry Funk[6]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (3 times) – with Terry Funk[6]
- SCW Southwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- SCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Terry Funk[6]
- WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[79]
- WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- WWC World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Terry Funk[6]
- CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[79]
- ICW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- NEWA North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- New York Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
Accomplishments
- All Japan Pro Wrestling ** Real World Tag League (3 times) – 1977, 1979, 1982 – with Terry Funk[3]
- Cauliflower Alley Club ** Other Honoree (1998)[6] ** Lou Thesz Award (2019)[6]
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2011[2]
- International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2022[6]
- NWA Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2006[6]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated ** Match of the Year (1973) – vs. Harley Race[6] ** Match of the Year (1974) – vs. Jack Brisco[6] ** Stanley Weston/Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)[6]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2005 (Modern Era wing)[6]
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 1995[6]
- St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2008[6]
- WWE Hall of Fame ** Inducted in 2009 (as part of The Funks) – with Terry Funk[4]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter ** Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)[79]
- Tokyo Sports ** Match of the Year (1980) – with Terry Funk vs. Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta[6]