Amarillo wrestler Terry Funk returned to the wrestling ring over the weekend, earning his spot at the eighth longest-working professional wrestler in history.
On Friday night, Funk returned to the ring in Raleigh, North Carolina in a show for the Big Time Wrestling Promotion. Funk teamed up with the Rock N' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton), earning a victory over Doug Gilbert, Brian Christopher and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler by disqualification.
Following the match, Last Word on Pro Wrestling reported that with his appearance in Friday night's wrestling show, Funk had become the eighth longest working professional wrestler of all-time. The website reported that the 73-year old Amarillo resident now has claim to the eighth longest career of all-time, beginning with his debut in 1965. Since launching his wrestling career, Funk has wrestled for virtually every promotion including the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment, the National Wrestling Alliance and Eastern/Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Funk trails Mil Mascaras (53 years), Exotic Adrian Street (53 years), Dory Funk Jr. (54 years), The Fabulous Moolah (55 years), Bill Dundee (55 years), Johnny Saint (57 years), Bob Armstrong (57 years), Lou Thesz (58 years), Gypsy Joe (60 years) and Mae Young (70 years) for the role of longest-working professional wrestler.
Terry Funk is a member of a long-time family in the form of the Funk Family. Dory Funk Sr. was an Amarillo wrestling promoter, 3-time Western States Heavyweight Champion and 17-time North American Heavyweight Champion. Funk's brother, Dory Funk Jr., is a former NWA Heavyweight champion. Funk is credited with the creation of the "Texas cloverleaf" submission hold and currently operates the Funking Conservatory wrestling school in Ocala, Florida.
