On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Terry Funk, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.
Terrence Funk was born in Hammond, Indiana on June 30, 1944.
He died on August 23, 2023 at the age of 79.
Terry Funk was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of The Funks), in the WCW Hall of Fame in 1995, in the Hardcore Hall of Fame in 2005, in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2009 and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2004 as part of the Modern Era wing.
Terry Funk Profile Index
Profile Info
- Gender Male
- Real Name Terrence Funk
- Ring Names
- Terry Funk ( July 26, 1998 - September 23, 2017)
- Chainsaw Charlie ( December 29, 1997 - July 25, 1998)
- Terry Funk ( December 9, 1965 - December 28, 1997)
- Born June 30, 1944
- Died August 23, 2023 (aged 79)
- Nationality
United States - Birth Place Hammond, Indiana
- Billed From
- Amarillo, Texas
- Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Weight
- 246 lbs (112 kg)
- Nicknames The Texan
Career History
-
Roles
- Part Time Wrestler ( January 4, 2010 - September 23, 2017)
- Wrestler ( December 9, 1965 - September 16, 2006)
- Promoter ( June 4, 1973 - December 31, 1979)
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
INDYJanuary 29, 2011 September 23, 2017 Promotion 
NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
January 4, 2010 January 4, 2010 Promotion INDYMay 18, 2001 September 16, 2006 Promotion 
AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
January 28, 2001 January 19, 2003 Promotion 
WCWJanuary 4, 2000 January 14, 2001 Promotion 
ECWNovember 1, 1998 March 31, 1999 Promotion 
WWFDecember 29, 1997 August 2, 1998 Promotion 
FMWApril 29, 1996 December 22, 1997 Promotion ECWJanuary 23, 1993 August 17, 1997 Promotion 
SMWSeptember 12, 1993 May 19, 1995 Promotion 
WCWMay 15, 1994 October 28, 1994 Promotion FMWMay 5, 1993 August 28, 1993 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
October 15, 1990 April 9, 1991 Promotion WCW, 
NWAMay 9, 1989 February 25, 1990 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
October 21, 1972 December 11, 1987 Promotion 
WWFJune 17, 1985 May 1, 1986 Promotion 
AWAMarch 3, 1985 March 17, 1985 Promotion NWADecember 9, 1965 February 1, 1985 Promotion 
CSW, 
SLWCOctober 26, 1984 January 15, 1985 Promotion 
JCPFebruary 13, 1983 June 12, 1983 Promotion 
SWCWJuly 2, 1982 May 27, 1983 Promotion 
CWFMay 30, 1981 October 20, 1982 Promotion 
GCWJanuary 1, 1982 April 4, 1982 Promotion CSWFebruary 19, 1982 March 26, 1982 Promotion SWCWAugust 26, 1980 December 19, 1981 Promotion 
CWAMarch 23, 1981 June 4, 1981 Promotion 
GACJanuary 23, 1981 May 15, 1981 Promotion GCWJanuary 13, 1980 November 11, 1980 Promotion CWFJune 3, 1978 February 13, 1980 Promotion 
WSSDecember 9, 1965 December 31, 1979 Promotion GACJune 20, 1975 May 13, 1979 Promotion SLWCMarch 21, 1975 November 25, 1978 Promotion 
BTW DETROITApril 16, 1978 November 11, 1978 Promotion 
SECWOctober 10, 1976 May 27, 1977 Promotion 
BTW DALLASMay 18, 1974 May 21, 1977 Promotion CWFMarch 15, 1971 April 9, 1977 Promotion GCWNovember 14, 1975 January 31, 1977 Promotion CSWSeptember 11, 1975 January 7, 1977 Promotion JCPNovember 8, 1975 December 3, 1976 Promotion 
GCCWFebruary 17, 1976 November 23, 1976 Promotion 
NWA TRI STATEJanuary 26, 1976 November 16, 1976 Promotion 
MID AMERICAAugust 22, 1976 October 18, 1976 Promotion 
PNWJuly 20, 1976 October 16, 1976 Promotion SLWCJanuary 19, 1973 December 7, 1973 Promotion JCPAugust 23, 1971 November 22, 1973 Promotion 
NWA HOLLYWOODMay 19, 1972 July 27, 1973 Promotion GACMay 30, 1970 May 26, 1973 Promotion BTW DALLASFebruary 28, 1972 September 26, 1972 Promotion 
JWAJuly 27, 1970 December 12, 1971 Promotion GCWJune 20, 1969 October 30, 1970 Promotion SLWCFebruary 4, 1966 November 7, 1969 Promotion CWFApril 4, 1967 July 13, 1967 Promotion AWAJanuary 18, 1967 March 13, 1967 -
Images History
Jun 2006
Jul 1998
Dec 1997
Jan 1993
Jun 1985
Dec 1965 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Face January 29, 2011 September 23, 2017 Heel December 12, 1987 September 16, 2006 Face December 15, 1977 December 11, 1987 Heel December 9, 1965 December 14, 1977
-
Finishers
- Texas Piledriver ( December 9, 1965 - September 23, 2017)
- Spinning Toe Hold ( December 9, 1965 - September 23, 2017)
- Sleeper Hold ( December 29, 1997 - August 2, 1998)
-
Theme Songs
- Theme Song "Fistful" by WCW Productions - Single ( January 4, 2000 - January 14, 2001)
- Theme Song "Trash Metal" by Jim Johnston - Single ( December 29, 1997 - August 2, 1998)
- Theme Song "Desperado" by Eagles - Single ( January 23, 1993 - August 17, 1997)
- Theme Song "Hardcore" by Jim Johnston - Single ( May 9, 1989 - February 5, 1990)
- Theme Song "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Single ( October 21, 1972 - December 11, 1987)
- Theme Song "Man With a Harmonica" by Ennio Morricone - Single ( January 24, 1966 - February 1, 1985)
Titles & Accomplishments
-
Halls of Fame
- WWE Hall of Fame - Year 2009, Groups , The Funks
- WCW Hall of Fame - Year 1995, Individual
- Hardcore Hall of Fame - Year 2005, Individual
- NWA Hall of Fame - Year 2009, Individual
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Year 2004, Modern Era
-
World Championship Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance
World Wrestling Entertainment
- 1 WWF Tag Team Championship (with Mick Foley)
Extreme Championship Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance
World Championship Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling / World Championship Wrestling
- 2 WCW Hardcore Championship
- 2 NWA (Mid-Atlantic)/WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
Championship Wrestling from Florida
- 1 NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
- 1 NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk Jr.)
- 1 NWA Florida Television Championship
- 1 NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (with Dory Funk Jr.)
- 2 NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)
Georgia Championship Wrestling
- 1 NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk Jr.)
- 1 NWA Georgia Television Championship
Juggalo Championship Wrestling
- 1 JCW Heavyweight Championship
NWA Big Time Wrestling
- 1 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version)
NWA Hollywood Wrestling
- 1 NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship
- 3 NWA International Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk Jr.)
- 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) (with Dory Funk Jr.)
Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling
- 1 3PW World Heavyweight Championship
Southwest Championship Wrestling
- 1 SCW Southwest Heavyweight Championship
- 1 SCW World Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk Jr.)
St. Louis Wrestling Club
- 1 NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
United States Wrestling Association
- 1 USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship
Western States Sports
- 2 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version)
- 2 NWA International Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk Jr.)
- 12 NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship
- 3 NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 with Ricky Romero, 1 with The Lawman)
- 2 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (with Dory Funk Jr.)
-
Other Accomplishments
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 1995)
- St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2010)
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2010)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
- AJPW World's Strongest Tag Team League Winner (1977, 1979, 1982 - with Dory Funk, Jr.)
- AJPW Champion Carnival Distinguished Service Award (1980)
- AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Technical Award Winner (1977, 1980 – with Dory Funk Jr.)
- AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Distinguished Service Medal Award Winner (1984 – with Dory Funk Jr.)
- AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Technique Award Winner (1986, 1987 – with Dory Funk Jr.)
- AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Excellent Team Award Winner (1990 – Dory Funk Jr.)
- NWA United States Championship Tournament Winner (1975)
- NWA Florida Television Championship Tournament Winner (1971)
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship Tournament Winner (1979)
- NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship Tournament Winner (1978 – with Dory Funk Jr.)
- Cauliflower Alley Club's Iron Mike Mazurki Award Winner (2005)
- ECW Lifetime Achievement Award (1997)
- PWI Wrestler of the Year (1976)
- PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1997)
- PWI Feud of the Year (1989 - vs. Ric Flair)
- PWI Stanley Weston Award (2021)
- WON Best Brawler (1989)
- WON Best Heel (1989)
- WON Best on Interviews (1989)
- WON Hardest Worker (1989)
- WON Feud of the Year (1989 - vs. Ric Flair
- Tokyo Sports' Lifetime Achievement Award Winner (1983)
- Tokyo Sports' Popularity Award Winner (1979)
- Tokyo Sports' Match of the Year Award Winner (1980 - with Dory Funk Jr. vs. Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta, 12/11)
- 22° in the PWI Years Top 500 (2003)
Teams & Relations
-
Tag Teams & Stables
- The Funks - Dory Funk Jr., Dory Funk Sr. ( December 9, 1965 - August 27, 2005)
- The Old Age Outlaws - Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Paul Orndorff ( December 13, 1999 - April 10, 2000)
- Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie - Mick Foley ( December 29, 1997 - March 30, 1998)
- Funk Masters of Wrestling - Corporal Kirchner / Leatherface, Mike Awesome, Mr. Gannosuke , Headhunter A, Headhunter B, Hisakatsu Oya ( May 2, 1996 - September 26, 1997)
- The Stud Stable - Arn Anderson, Colonel Robert Parker, Haku / Meng , Bunkhouse Buck ( May 15, 1994 - October 28, 1994)
- J-Tex Corporation - Buzz Sawyer, Gary Hart, Kazuo Sakurada / Kendo Nagasaki, The Great Muta / Keiji Muto ( July 1, 1989 - February 6, 1990)
- Managers
- Family
- Dory Funk Jr. - Brother
- Dory Funk Sr. - Father
