WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. Passes Away at Age 85

Dory Funk Jr., an 85-year-old wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Fame inductee, died while under hospice care in Florida, according to his spouse Marti Funk. Born in Hammond, Indiana, and raised in Amarillo, Texas, he spent more than 50 years competing in U.S. territories and Japan, holding the NWA World Heavyweight title from 1969 to 1973. He later teamed with his brother Terry at WrestleMania II and became a respected trainer through the Funking Conservatory, mentoring talents like Kurt Angle, Christian, Edge, the Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry and Mickie James.

Triple H posted a tribute on social media, highlighting Funk’s role in shaping modern professional wrestling. The Funk family’s contributions to the sport are further marked by the Hall of Fame inductions of Terry and their father Dory Sr. Marti described her husband as “such a good guy” in her statement to the Ocala Gazette.