Dory Funk Jr. — one of the most enduring and influential figures in professional wrestling history — has passed away at 85 years old. His death was announced Tuesday by Brian Blair and the Cauliflower Alley Club, who extended condolences to Funk’s wife Marti and the rest of the family. Blair grew up watching Funk in Florida and later had the privilege of calling him both a mentor and a friend.
“It’s hard to find the right words to say goodbye to a man who became a mentor, a leader, and a dear friend, Dory Funk Jr. My love for him started all the way back as a kid at the Bayfront Center, booing him as the ultimate heel while he took on my hero Jack Brisco,” Blair wrote.
“He was an absolute legend who commanded respect just by being himself. My heart goes out to his wife, Marti, and his family. You will be deeply missed, Dory. I know God is welcoming you with open arms. Rest easy until we meet again.”
Funk was the son of Dory Funk Sr. and the brother of Terry Funk, forming one of wrestling’s most iconic families. Both brothers followed their father into the business and achieved global success as singles competitors and as a tag team. Each held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and their influence stretched across the United States and Japan, shaping generations of wrestlers.
Despite his age, Dory Jr. continued wrestling in Japan well into the 2010s and remained active as recently as 2024. Whenever NXT held house shows in Ocala, Florida, Funk frequently attended in a non‑wrestling capacity. He was also shown in the crowd during a 2025 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, a testament to his lasting connection to the industry.
Triple H Pays Tribute to Dory Funk Jr.
The Funks were inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996 and the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted a tribute today, honoring Funk’s legacy and impact.
“From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry. Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomena.”
“A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much. My thoughts and those of the entire @WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Dory Funk Jr.’s career spanned eras, continents, and generations. His influence will continue to echo through the wrestlers he trained, the promotions he helped shape, and the fans who witnessed his unmatched longevity.
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