On August 23rd 2023 it was tragically announced that wrestling legend Terry Funk had sadly passed away.
The news first broke on social media with Will Ospreay and Ric Flair amongst the first names to comment on the passing.
Inside The Ropes has reached out the management team of Terry Funk and can confirm that the wrestling legend has sadly passed – although no cause of death is known at this time.
Funk is best known for his work across AJPW, ECW, WCW and the WWF and is widely regarded as one of the most influential western wrestlers of all time with the likes of Mick Foley and Eddie Kingston heaping praise on the former Chainsaw Charlie on many occasions.
This piece will be update live throughout the evening as wrestling stars, talent and fans from around the world pay tribute to a truly one of a kind competitor, Terrence Funk.
Inside The Ropes would like to express our deepest condolence to the family and friends of Terry Funk during this difficult time.
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The former head of WCW Eric Bischoff is the latest name to join in the tribute being paid to the late, great Terry Funk following his tragic passing earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, Bischoff would write:
“RIP Terry Funk. One of a kind is an understatement.”
WWE COO Triple H has taken to social media to join in the tributes being paid to the late, great Terry Funk
Taking to Twitter, Triple H would heap praise on Funk calling the former Chainsaw Charlie an icon of the wrestling industry.
“Every night in cities all over the world, Terry Funk left it all in the ring for our business and for the fans. An icon of our industry. My thoughts are with Terry’s family, friends and fans.”
Current WWE Unified Tag Team Champion Kevin Owens has taken to social media to pay tribute to his friend and mentor Terry Funk following his tragic passing earlier today aged just 79.
Taking to Twitter, Kevin Owens would write:
“I don’t really come here ever anymore but I had to today to say that Terry Funk was the absolute best of us and that getting to be in the ring with him 10 years ago is and always will be one of the absolute highlights of my career, bar none.
To this day, I still often think back on that night and shake my head in disbelief at the absolute privilege and incredible luck I had to get to be in there with him.
The energy and aura that Terry Funk carried with him into the ring that night is something I had never experienced before and have not experienced since, and I’ve been in there with some pretty crazy names… I’ll never forget it.
Terry Funk. Forever.”
Following the news of Terry Funk’s tragic passing fans have begun sharing some of his best moments on social media.
In clip below, shared by Twitter user FadeAwayMedia, Terry Funk slaps the taste out of Paul Heyman’s mouth for mentioning his daughters appearance during a backstage segment.
Relive this incredible moment below!
That time Terry Funk slapped Paul Heyman mid promo for talking about his daughter
RIP LEGEND ❤️🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/M4Bn51LFZS
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) August 23, 2023
Bully Ray has taken to social media to pay tribute to fellow ECW & hardcore wrestling legend Terry Funk who tragically passed away earlier today aged 79.
Taking to Twitter, Bully Ray would write:
“There are no words…God Bless Terry Funk.”
Ahead of tonight’s go home episode of AEW Dynamite, AEW World Champion MJF would take to social media to pay tribute to wrestling legend Terry Funk who passed away earlier today.
MJF would keep his message short and sweet, laying out respect for the icon and noting that his legend will live on forever.
Taking to Twitter, MJF would write:
“Forever. RIP, Terry Funk.”
WWE Hall of Famer JBL has taken to social media to pay tribute to the Texan who inspired him to pursue a career in pro-wrestling, the late, great Terry Funk.
Taking to Twitter, JBL would write:
“One of the reasons I got in the business was Terry Funk. Love you Texas legend, RIP.”
Technical wrestling legend Lance Storm has taken to social media to pay tribute to the late Terry Funk following his unexpected passing aged just 79 earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, Storm would write:
“I will say more eventually. This one hits hard. RIP Terry Funk. A pleasure and honour to know you. Respect always.”
Former X-Division Champion & AEW original Frankie Kazarian has taken to social to pay tribute to the late, great Terry Funk following his tragic passing earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, Kazarian would write:
“The words “great” and “legend” are thrown around way too frequently. Terry Funk was both of those things and SO much more. An incredible and unique talent. An influence of a generation. An absolute gentleman. A man I was honored to have been friendly with. Godspeed sir.”
Former WWE Superstar Aiden English has taken to social media to pay tribute to the icon Terry Funk following his tragic passing earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, English would write:
“One of the best to tie them out. And also one of the most underrated. RIP Terry Funk”
Dustin Rhodes has taken to social media to pay tribute to his dads former friend, mentor and rival the late, great Terry Funk.
Taking to Twitter, Rhodes would write:
“Just heard that Terry Funk is gone. Truly heartbroken over this.
He has known me since I was a child. He was an incredible mentor and friend. Love him so much and sad to see him go. I know he is no longer in pain and has probably rekindled his war with Pops in heaven. Rest easy TF”
BWO Icon The Blue Meanie has taken to social media to pay tribute to the late Terry Funk following ‘The Funkster’s’ tragic passing earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, The Blue Meanie (real name Brain Heffron) would write:
“A day I wish would never come. Thank you Terry Funk for what did for wrestling. Thank you for helping ECW. Thank you for being kind to me. I love you…. TERRY FUNK FOREVER! FOREVER! FOREVER! FOREVER!”
The WWE has taken to social media to pay tribute to the late Terry Funk who tragically passed away earlier today.
Taking to Twitter, the official WWE account would write:
“WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk has passed away at the age of 79. WWE extends its condolences to Funk’s family, friends and fans.”
Matt Hardy has taken to social media to pay tribute to the late, great Terry Funk following his tragic passing on August 23rd 2023.
Taking to Twitter, Hardy would comment on what an amazing human being and mentor Funk was as well as sharing a heart-warming photo of Ric Flair, Terry Funk and himself backstage in the WWE.
Hardy would state:
“Not only were you the most amazing pro wrestler ever, you were the most incredible human being. Godspeed, Funker.
My thoughts are with your family, friends & fans. You’ll be greatly missed.”
Mick Foley has paid tribute to his friend, mentor and rival Terry Funk following the former Chainsaw Charlies’ tragic passing at the age of 79.
Taking to social media Foley would confirm that he has spoken with Brandee Funk (daughter of Terry) and has confirm the tragic news of his passing.
Foley would then pay tribute to his friend, noting that he will be talking and writing a lot about Terry Funk over the next few days as he processes this heart-breaking news.
Writing on Instagram, ‘The Hardcore Legend’ would note:
“WE JUST LOST A LEGEND
Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, and one of my closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.
If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many. There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. RIP my dear friend – it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk
I will be writing much more about Terry in the next few days.”
Ric Flair took to social media on the evening of August 23rd 2023 to pay tribute to Terry Funk and to break the news of his tragic passing to Funk’s fans around the world.
Writing on Twitter, Flair would note:
“In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder. Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend! Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling! “
