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PC Gamer – September 2003

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Wrestling World presents Wrestling Maniacs: JUNE 1999

TERRY FUNK: THE GUIDING LIGHT OF MAT MANIACS!

Terry Funk has become the soul of mat maniacs with the wild method of his never-say-die competition. Promoters and fans alike have come to respect Terry for his all-out, 100% effort and the way he has developed much of wrestling’s crazy style as it nears the year 2000!

By Len Matthews

HE IS the soul of hardcore. He is the guiding light of the mat maniacs. And on December 10, 1975, in Miami, FL, he pinned Jack Brisco to become the World Heavyweight  Champion as recognized by the all-powerful National Wrestling Alliance. When Brisco tried to clamp on his deadly figure four leglock, he countered with a perfect inside cradle to grab the gold. 

And on February 6, 1977, in Toronto, Canada, he lost the heavyweight crown to Harley Race when Race clamped on an Indian deathlock that finished the job of wrecking his knees. It looked like his career was over. 

Hell, the truth is Terry Funk was just getting started. 

Despite probably a dozen retirements, Terry Funk has become the soul of mat maniacs with the wild method of his never-say-die competition, both in this country and overseas. When “Bruiser” Brody tragically passed away, Funk became the bridge from the old style of mayhem to the new kind of madness.

Terry’s brother, Dory Jr., was and is the epitome of cool, calculated and cleaver wrestling. That certainly paid off for Dory Jr., as he had a four-year reign as NWA champion and today helps train promising new talent coming to the World Wrestling Federation. 

Even in the 1970s, though, Terry was the opposite of his brother. Wild and crazy and unpredictable, although ever shrewd and cunning about business, Terry upset many promoters when he took the crown. Since then, more promoters have come to respect Terry for his all-out, 100% effort and the way he has adapted, in fact developed, much of wrestling’s crazy style as it nears 2000. 

The injuries have been plentiful for Terry, who almost signed with the Denver Broncos after being a superb football player at West Texas State. But, like his father and brother, Terry could not resist the call of the squared circle. It is in his blood and he truly won’t retire until he drops, no matter how bad the knees and how painful the back. 

Terry cut his teeth on the wild-and-woolly West Texas style of wrestling and further refined the strategy as folks like he and Brody and Stan Hansen and Abdullah the Butcher ripped, clawed, battered and destroyed their way through Japanese rings. Even now, Terry heads to Japan for some of the smaller promotions and brings them an aura of respect and big crowds. 

Everyone remembers that Terry battled Atuyshi Onita in a ring which exploded and left Terry burned and bleeding before 40,000 fans.

And the feud with Abdullah was gruesome and ugly. At one point, Abdullah used a scissors to carve open Funk’s arm at the bicep and blood spilled everywhere. Terry retaliated by opening Abdullah's head and he bled buckets. How could anyone not respect, if appreciate, what Funk was willing to do for his sport? 

[When Bruiser Brody tragically passed away, Terry Funk became the bridge from the old style of mayhem to the new kind of madness and, well, set the wrestling world on fire!]

Likewise, Funk helped bring a measure of legitimacy to ECW in its early days. Younger guys were taking big bumps; Terry Funk took bigger. Funk threw the moonsaults and dove off the top rope to the concrete floor. He collided with the people trying to make a name for themselves and they did, because they held their own with the legendary Terry Funk.

[Terry tussles with Sabu in a classic battle of mat maniacs!]

The amazing part is that Funk does it because he loves the business. For instance, a few years back, Terry was booked on a card in Centralia, IL, before perhaps 500 fans. His opponent was powerful Ron Powers, a Brody protege who never really got a break because of politics. Powers was primed and pumped to make a reputation by giving Terry Funk a few lumps. 

What a war! Not on television. In the ring and out. If Funk swatted Powers with a chair, Powers banged Terry right back. The confrontation spilled into the crowd and the two gladiators crashed into a concession stand. Soon Powers, younger and stronger, started to take control. After Funk missed a dive from the top rope to the floor-some 15 feet or more–Powers scored from a leg drop from the top rope. 

And wily ol’ Terry Funk hooked him with an inside cradle when Powers tried to cover. One, two, three. Powers went berserk and the two again traded blows until Funk was hurled over the top rope. 

Afterward, in the relative calm of the dressing room, Funk approached Powers and talked to him quietly. The message was kid, you’ve got what it takes, don’t quit and never hold back. Go full throttle all the time. 

It was probably that influence which the WWF wanted in its chaotic dressing rooms and unpredictable rings when Funk came on board as “Chainsaw Charlie.” With panty hose on his head and swinging a chainsaw, Terry Funk was “over” from the first night a bell sounded. So-called stars who occasionally gave the effort and sometimes not were shamed into being professional by the things Funk did night after night. 

Think back to the remarkable duels with Mankind, or Cactus Jack. As partners, what a team and it’s a cinch that Mick Foley grew up with Terry Funk as an idol. Remember when they banged heads with the New Age Outlaws. Age certainly meant nothing to Terry Funk, who was right there tooth-and-nail for every battle. 

[A former NWA World Champion, Terry turns the tables on another former World Champ Bret “Hitman” Hart! 

Photos by Dr. Mike Lano 

The number of matches that have seen Funk left battered and bleeding on the mat are too numerous to count!]

When they bumped heads and became opponents, they literally wrecked arenas. Mankind prides himself on being crazy and willing to do anything. Terry Funk pushed him to new levels and made Mankind find even nuttier things to do.

Think back a few years when Terry Funk had a tremendous run in World Championship Wrestling. His bouts with Ric Flair are still regarded as classics. Funk was in the middle of so many wars and so much excitement. When he left WCW, Funk said he was going to retire. Hmmm? It was followed by tours in Japan, more ECW, independent shots and then the WWF tenure. 

So is it any wonder that there were more than a few skeptics when Funk left the WWF and declared he was finished?

Since that departure, which many felt was due to Funk’s disgust with the internal politics at the WWF more than anything, Terry has headlined in Japan and even popped up in ECW. Apparently, one Tommy Dreamer is about to learn from clashing with one Terry Funk head-on.

The irony of all this is that Terry Funk has all the attributes of a classic grappler. He knows the holds, the escapes, the takedowns. But more importantly, Funk has always understood what modern pro wrestling is and has to be to survive. 

When the time changed, Funk not only changed with them. He initiated many of the changes. He sensed that fans wanted more violence, more pizzazz and he gave it to them.

When young wrestlers and new promotions needed that vital boost, Terry was there to give it to them. And when the big-money giants need a shot in the arm, Terry Funk gave that to them as well. 

Of course, Terry Funk has gotten his share as well. What better way to get the last laugh than to have the bucks and the total respect of your peers as the soul of wrestling?

[A wily veteran, Terry Funk certainly knows how to fight fire with fire!]

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romeo and juliet don't have shit on these bitches

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Miz not having rhythm bothers me more than it should. Like, his ill-timed what's ups was making me anxious.

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As always fags only on smackdown!

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This is literally the best episode of raw ever oh my god

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Liv Morgan is my favorite member of the Stoner Community

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FUCKING CELEBRATING SHINSUKE AND NEVERGREEN ON SMACKDOWN?????

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YURI…. Both of them….

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THIS IS THE BEST EPIOAODE OF RAW EVAAAAA!!!!

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Punkintyre survived the draft

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RAW IS SO HORNY TO NIGJT!!!!!!!

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Also the sex between Braun Strowman and Jey Uso goes CRAZYYYYY

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Fuckin Raws been so cinematic lately and it’s so fucking hggghhggrvgg like the fucking shit just there. Filming from behind JD’s head at that lower point. The framing. Jhgfgnnggbbb

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JBLS FUCKING CELEBRATING CAUSE THERES A HOT LIB NOW HE CAN FUCK ON RAW

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Stephanie…….