Professional wrestling legend Dory Funk Jr., one of the longest-reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champions in history and a respected trainer of future WWE stars, has died at the age of 85.
WWE confirmed Funk’s passing on 4 August, bringing to a close a remarkable career that spanned more than seven decades. No cause of death has been announced.
Born into one of wrestling’s most famous families, Funk followed in the footsteps of his father, wrestler and promoter Dory Funk Sr., before carving out a legendary career of his own.
Funk captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1969 after defeating Gene Kiniski and held the title for an extraordinary 1,563 days—a reign that remains the second longest in the championship’s history.
Known for his technical wrestling style and the devastating Texas Cloverleaf submission hold, Funk became one of the sport’s most respected competitors during wrestling’s territorial era.
Alongside his younger brother, Terry Funk, he helped shape professional wrestling across the United States and Japan. The brothers became the only biological siblings to each win the prestigious NWA world title and were major stars for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where they headlined numerous tours and feuded with legends including Abdullah the Butcher and Stan Hansen.
The Funks also competed in WWE, defeating Tito Santana and Junkyard Dog at WrestleMania 2 in 1986.
Away from the ring, Funk left an equally lasting legacy through the Funking Conservatory in Florida, where he trained some of wrestling’s biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, Matt and Jeff Hardy, Lita, Mark Henry and Mickie James.
Even in his later years, Funk remained active in the wrestling world. In 2024, he competed in a tribute match in Japan at the age of 83, becoming one of the oldest professional wrestlers to perform in a public match.
Dory and Terry Funk were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together in 2009, cementing their status as two of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history. Terry Funk passed away in 2023 at the age of 79.
Dory Funk Jr.’s influence extended far beyond his championship reigns, with generations of wrestlers benefiting from his knowledge, mentorship and passion for the sport. His legacy will continue to live on through the countless performers he inspired and trained throughout his extraordinary career.
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