AW-RDR

2021/08/16

Welcome to AustralianWrestling.org!
The website devoted to preserving the history of Australian wrestling.

We're in the process of renovating and moving some things around so some things may look a little strange but the aim is to minimise disruption.

This website was designed in 2012 with a scope of covering present and past wrestling in Australia.
The scope will change to prioritise the older stuff and make that a bit more accessible.

Thank you for your patience.

I also have another website (with my good buddy Greg) The Wrestling Roadshow which has more of a global scope. We have a podcast by the same name too and discuss all sorts of wrestling.

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Dory Funk, Jr.

Name: - Dory Funk Jr.
Height: - 6'3” (191cm)
Weight: - 240lb (109kg)
Born: - February 3, 1941
From: - Hammond, Indiana
Trained by: - Dory Funk Sr.
Debut: - January, 1963 (vs Don Fargo)
Retired: - March 1, 2008
Finisher: - Spinning toehold
Also known as: - Hoss Funk, The Masked Outlaw

Toured Australia; 1965, 1967, 1977, 1986

Recognised as one of the alltime great wrestlers as well as trainers. Learned to wrestle from his father, also a world-renowned star. Debuted in January 1963 against Don Fargo, scoring a win. Wrestled NWA champion Lou Thesz in his rookie year. Toured Australia twice in the 60s, wrestling upper mid-card as a face.

Wrestled for his father's Amarillo promotion, and defeated Gene Kiniski for the NWA World title on 11 Feb, 1969. Held the title for over 4 years, becoming the second-longest titleholder in NWA history. Had a truck accident in 1973, which indirectly led to him dropping the title to Harley Race on 24 May, 1973. Along with brother Terry, took over the Amarillo promotion after his father's death in 1973.

Continued to wrestle throughout US and Japan, eventually settling in Florida. Went to WWF in 1986 with Terry, wrestling as “Hoss Funk”. After Terry left, Dory teamed with “Jimmy Jack Funk” (Jesse Barr) his storyline youngest 'brother'. The pair toured Australia with WWF in 1986.

Dory and Terry appeared for ECW in the mid 90s, before Dory concentrated on their wrestling school the “Funkin' Conservatory” in Florida, while still wrestling occasionally. Wrestled Jeff Jarrett for the NWA/TNA World title in 2004, at the age of 62! Made his last in-ring appearance on 1 March, 2008, in a tag battle which he won with his famed spinning toehold. Was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, along with Terry, in 2009.

Wrestlers trained: - Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Edge, Test, Kurt Angle, Mickie James, Christian, Lita, Ted DiBiase Jr, Chris Hero.

Titles held: - NWA World Hwt, NWA International Hwt (3), Americas Hwt, WWC Universal Hwt, Missouri Hwt, North American Hwt (Amarillo), Puerto Rican Hwt, Mid-Atlantic Hwt (2), ICW Hwt, CWA World Hwt, North American Hwt (Florida), Florida Hwt (4), Florida TV (2), Amarillo Brass Knuckles, New York Hwt, NEWA North American Hwt, NWA World Tag (Amarillo) (2. w/ Terry Funk), NWA World Tag (L.A.) (w/ Terry Funk), WWC World Tag (w/ Terry Funk), Stampede International Tag (w/ Larry Lane), SCW World Tag (w/ Terry Funk), NWA International Tag (5, w/ Terry Funk), Western States Tag (6, w/ Ricky Romero [2], w/ Super Destroyer [2], w/ Ray Candy, w/ Larry Lane), Georgia Tag (w/ Terry Funk), Florida Tag (w/ Terry Funk), Florida North American Tag (2, w/ Terry Funk, w/ David von Erich), World Strongest Tag Team League (3, w/ Terry Funk)

Dory Funk Jr v Stan Lane, Amarillo 1979

Credit: Mark Dalgleish, Wikipedia, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Libnan Ayoub's 100 Years of Australian Professional Wrestling
Photo credit: WrestlingMuseum.com

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