WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk, 'one of the toughest' wrestling stars, dies at 79

Terry Funk, a pioneer of hardcore wrestling who was known for his hard-hitting style, has died at the age of 79, WWE announced Wednesday.

"WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk has passed away at the age of 79," the company said in a statement. "Revered by fans and peers across the globe for his tenacity, heart and longevity, Funk will be remembered as one of the toughest competitors to ever step inside the squared circle. From WWE to All Japan, from WCW to ECW, Funk proved he could go toe-to-toe with the best and pushed the limits of what was possible inside the squared circle."

Terry Funk's wrestling career

Funk had a legendary wrestling career that spanned over 50 years across various promotions around the world. Funk debuted in 1965 but rose to prominence in the 1970s with his brother, Dory Jr., when they became instant stars while wresting in Japan. In 1975, Funk won the NWA World Championship.

The Funk Brothers would eventually join WWE, then known as the WWF, in 1985 and would go on to be instrumental in the build of WWE's flagship event, WrestleMania, wrestling in WrestleMania 2 against Tito Santana and the Junkyard Dog.

Funk would have stints with other promotions over the next decade, but he cemented his status in wrestling history with the buildup of hardcore wrestling alongside Mick Foley, and eventually helped establish Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) as a major promotion. Despite being in his 50s, he defeated Raven to win the ECW Championship in the promotion's first pay-per-view in April 1997.

Funk and Foley "brought the infamous style to a worldwide audience through a 1995 tournament where they battled in the finals, brawling through tables, chairs, barbed wire and more," WWE said.

Funk continued his career in the squared circle into his 60s, culminating with his performance at ECW One Night Stand in 2006, teaming with Tommy Dreamer and Beulah McGillicutty against Mick Foley, Edge and Lita. During the match, Funk's face was severely bloodied, yet he was able to continue the match and famously used a 2-by-4 wrapped in barbed wire and on fire to hit Foley and send him through a table. Funk would continue to wrestle outside of WWE up until 2017.

In 2009, Funk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, alongside his brother, by Dusty Rhodes.

Terry Funk tributes

Several wrestling legends and current stars paid tribute to Funk on social media, praising his toughness and dedication to performing. Ric Flair, who had a feud with Funk in WCW in the 80s, said he "never met a guy who worked harder."

"He was my mentor, my idol, one of the closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw," Foley said. "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."

Current Undisputed WWE Tag Team champion Kevin Owens said he'll never forget being able to share the ring with Funk.

"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," Owens said. "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."