Dory Funk Jr. has died at the age of 85, according to an announcement from Brian Blair on August 4, 2026. The loss of the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion closes the book on one of wrestling’s most respected figures, a man remembered not only for what he did in the ring but also for the way he helped shape the business around him.
The news was met quickly by tributes from across the wrestling world, including a message from Paul “Triple H” Levesque on Twitter/X. Levesque called Funk’s passing “saddened” news and pointed to the long reach of his career, from the Double Cross Ranch to the WWE Hall of Fame. He said Funk’s style inspired countless performers and noted that his travel across North America and Asia helped form an early blueprint for how wrestling became a global phenomenon.
A champion whose style fit his era
Dave Meltzer offered one of the clearest descriptions of Funk’s place in wrestling history. Looking back on the 1969-73 stretch, Meltzer said Funk was “the perfect champion” for that time period, praising the consistency of his performances and the way he made every opponent look credible. In Meltzer’s view, Funk was not just a titleholder, but a wrestler who elevated everyone he shared the ring with.
Meltzer also pointed to Funk’s international influence, saying he became a legend in Japan and helped build All Japan. He added that Funk booked the legendary 1983 Carolinas year, another reminder that his impact went well beyond match quality alone.
Built through matches and through training
Another part of Funk’s legacy was his work as a trainer. Levesque highlighted that side of his career, describing him as a hard-nosed and fierce competitor whose rugged in-ring style was matched by the decades he spent training athletes to perform. That combination made Funk more than a championship name; it made him a bridge between generations of wrestling.
Meltzer also recalled Funk’s matches with Jack Brisco, calling them the epitome of Florida and St. Louis wrestling style in their day. That pairing remains part of Funk’s lasting reputation, alongside the broader body of work that took him across Florida, St. Louis, Japan, the Carolinas and beyond.
B Brian Blair also shared a personal tribute, saying it was hard to find the right words to say goodbye to a man who became a mentor, a leader and a dear friend. Blair recalled watching Funk as a kid at the Bayfront Center, where he once booed him as the ultimate heel while Funk wrestled his hero, Jack Brisco. Those kinds of memories help explain why Funk’s name carries so much weight for so many different generations.
For wrestling fans, Dory Funk Jr. will be remembered as a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and WWE Hall of Fame figure whose influence stretched far beyond his own championship reign. At 85, he leaves behind a legacy built on tough matches, strong territory work and a lasting imprint on the way wrestling was taught and performed.
