Wrestler Profile

Terry Funk

Terry Funk was wrestling's greatest hardcore pioneer and possibly its most respected journeyman, with a career that stretched across seven decades. A former NWA World Heavyweight Champion from the famed Funk wrestling family of Amarillo, Texas, he could work a technical classic or a barbed-wire brawl with equal credibility.

Funk reinvented himself constantly: a main-event heel against Ric Flair in 1989 WCW, the godfather of ECW's hardcore revolution, a chainsaw-wielding madman in Japan's deathmatch scene, and a mentor to Mick Foley in brutal exhibitions across the world. He retired and unretired so many times it became an affectionate running joke.

Funk passed away in 2023, mourned across every wrestling generation. Forever middle-aged and crazy, he remains an all-time cult favorite in WrestleRanks voting.

Promotions

Terry Funk is associated with WWE (1991–1999), ECW and WCW (defunct) (1994–2000).

Championship history

PWI rankings history

Terry Funk was ranked in the PWI 500 10 times, first at No. 22 in 1991 and most recently at No. 165 in 2000. The highest placement is No. 22, reached in 1991.

Placements by year: 1991 (No. 22), 1992 (No. 98), 1993 (No. 45), 1994 (No. 33), 1995 (No. 70), 1996 (No. 143), 1997 (No. 60), 1998 (No. 60), 1999 (No. 212), 2000 (No. 165).

Compiled from the annual rankings published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. See the 2000 edition.

Terry Funk in the WrestleRanks rankings

Terry Funk is tracked as a respected veteran on WrestleRanks. WrestleRanks standings are decided one week at a time, from fan voting and editor input. Read more about how our rankings work, or see the live, interactive profile with weekly rank history and voting on the Terry Funk ranking page.

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