He was my friend. He was an icon. He was everything to so many of us. Please enjoy some of my favorite moments with the "Funker" who was a huge part of my life.
To me the true golden age of professional wrestling was from 1970 to 1984. You can stretch that through 1992 if you wish. Twenty years plus change. I became a fan in 1972 at age seven and remained a diehard for the next twenty years until the sport I loved so much ceased to exist. So what I'm getting at is just how lucky I was to have been born at just the right time. If I was born just ten years later I would have missed it. That can also be said for the NFL, MLB, NHL and rock music. All of those reached their pinnacle from 1970 to 1990. To put in perspective just how short the twenty year window of greatness was consider that it's already been twenty five years since Hogan turned heel in WCW. But I was there. I grew up in WWF territory and got to see so many legends like Backlund, Morales, Superstar Graham, Dusty, Sgt. Slaughter, Adonis, Ventura, Snuka, Hansen, Mosca, Rose, Ladd, Patterson, Putski, Orton Jr., Muraco, Mascaras, Valentine, Mulligan and on and on.....month after month in our local HS gym for about if I remember five dollars a ticket with only a few hundred other fans in attendance. It was great. And this was during a time that we fans still thought it was real. And every week I could ride my bike to the local newspaper shop and spend my allowance on wrestling magazines. And I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that there was a dozen new mags every week for $1.50 each. Plus you could send away for back issues of the Apter/Weston mags for only $2 an issue. I feel bad for people who missed that. Nothing is better today than it was forty years ago. Nothing. My passion growing up was pro wrestling, NFL and rock music. Somewhere around the early to mid 90s something happened. We lost our way and never looked back. It's astonishing how far we've fallen. So much so that I haven't watched wrestling, enjoyed an NFL game or bought a piece of music in over thirty five years. I do want to end this with thanking Terry Funk who in my opinion was the most entertaining pro wrestler ever. Many Tuesday nights I would wake up at 2am, sneak downstairs and watch Florida Championship Wrestling on our UHF channel. This was in the early 80s when the top feud was Terry and Dory Funk Jr. vs that "egg sucking dog" Dusty Rhodes. One of my all time favorite moments was the empty sportatorium cage match between Terry Funk and Bruce Walkup. I'll never forget Funk screeching and screaming at Walkup to get up you pig over and over as he pretended that Walkup was Dusty Rhodes. Terry Funk like so many territorial wrestlers had split personalities. Watching Funk you would swear on your mama's grave that he was a psychopathic lunatic. But in real life he was the nicest most loyal and trustworthy family man you could ever meet. He is the perfect example of what a professional wrestler should be. He is already sorely missed.
I am just glad I had the pleasure of watching him wrestle in person in Detroit Michigan growing up. I am just glad I had the pleasure of watching him wrestle on television for so many years I love you Terry Funk and you're one of my favorite Ever. You have left behind so many wrestling memories thank you Sir. Rip 💕
This one hurts. I knew Terry had been ill and all, but as a little kid, my Father was Terry and Dory' Pastor back in the '70s, and so I got to see them all the time and other wrestlers. So this just its really hard to know he is going. RIP Terry, you are and will be missed. We all love you.
Bill I met you a few years back in 2016 at Curds and Whey in Jekinstown! I was stuck on where I recognized you from and once you left it hit Pro Wrestling magazine. Terry Funk was a legend🙏🏿
In the world of pro wrestling, when Bill Apter speaks, people listen.....I'm one of them... you are so right Bill, Terry was quite possibly the greatest and most influential performer ever.....thank you Bill for the upload and your kind words regarding the Funk family.... Rip Terry.........
Loving Tribute Bill. I used to send you photos and storys in the 70's and was at Cobo Arena when Wild Bull Curry roughed you up.I first saw Terry in 1973 in Detroit against Bob Harmon, who went on to fame as Beautiful Bobby in the WWWF. Fast forward about 25 years later, He's facing Sabu in a high school gym in Linclon Park, Michigan in front of about 400 fans. They both gave 100% as if it were a ppv. Then, well into his 50's by this time, Terry did a perfect moonsault which totally popped the crowd. I wish I could have seen him more live. A true Wrestling God. One of a kind. By the way, your imatation of him... spot on. Keep up the fine work.
Was a very sad day waking up to hear terry passed away Rip Terry you will be sadly missed from Melbourne Australia condolences to everyone who knew this amazing man😢🎉😢
Salute to a real one! No one gave more of themselves to professional wrestling. Nobody. Terry funk wrestled as the champion for NWA and years later for ECW.. those extremes can attest to his love for the business alone. 🎉🎉🎉 Salute!
So many of my childhood heroes from Pro Wrestling are passing away. Terry Funk was, no IS one of the All-Time BEST Wrestlers ever. His intensity, ability to withstand such punishment and pain, and yet still fight for himself and his fans, was unrivaled! His Hard-core career was again Unrivaled! Only Mick Foley and Sabu were close to him. His career is one of a kind as was Terry Funk himself. A TRUE LEGEND, a hero, and one of the most DEDICATED Wrestlers to the industry, his co-workers, and especially his fans! RIP Terry, 🙏 🕊 you have the respect and admiration of Wrestlers and Fans EVERYWHERE! You will be missed by so many, but you'll NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN! God Bless Terry Funk, his family, his friends, and his fans
Terry is an all time great! Man he was awesome. He will be missed. Im glad he was a part of my childhood..and glad he got to live a long life...but still gone way before anybody was ready to see him go. Rip
Thanks Bill. Sad day. I saw Terry Funk wrestle many times at the San Angelo, Texas city coliseum. Even once as the NWA champion against Cyclone Negro. Great memories. R.I.P. Terry!
I literally had no idea what a "World Champion" was until Larry Matysik announced at the beginning of an episode of Wrestling At The Chase that Terry Funk was the new champion of the world. That day was the true beginning of my love affair with his fascinating world. One he was always a part of. It's a world so much less colorful now. Rest in peace Champ.
This news hit me as hard as when I heard, Eddie Graham, Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes. I really loved to watch Terry's promos they were some of the Best and funniest. RIP TERRY YOU WILL BE MISSED.
I grew up around Amarillo and my dad would take me. I saw Terry as a hero baby face and mostly scientific wrestling. I watch his dad Dory sr about 20 times. My first match at 9 yrs old was a Texas Death match…Dory sr vs the Beast. Dory sr was the king of DMs winning over 100. I witnessed Dory jr in the rematch vs Gene Kininski.
Prayers for Terry Funk and his family! I am so sorry for their loss! Thank you Mr Funk for all the great wrestling memories! You may be gone Mr Funk but you will never be forgotten! RIP.
In 1975 at the Eddie Graham Sportatorium in Orlando Florida I watched Terry defend his NWA title against Dusty Rhodes. Dusty beat on Funk for 20 minutes and had 10 near pinfalls when Funk pulled out something from his trunks and knocked Dusty out for the pinfall. The place went dead quiet for 3 seconds then "boom" full scale riot. Chairs, fists, drinks flying. It was the greatest thing my 15 year old self had ever seen. Terry always rebuilt himself and was not only a heck of a wrestler but entertainer.
Been a long time fan of yours Bill. I had all the magazines back then. Even though I knew wrestling was mostly a work , I still defended wrestling to the end. I knew these men was the toughest SOB'S in our great land , led by this wildman named Terry Funk. I loved it when Funk would chase Cornette all over the place. One time ripping his pant off. The empty arena match (MY EYE!) was kind of the shits , but his heat with Lawler was great. What great times they was. RIP TERRY FUNK!
How fortunate am I? To have had both Terry and Bill in my life since I saw my first magazine in 1980. Wonderful
Brooooooo!!! Soooo lucky.
People in the future will just never understand.
Rip Terrence Funk, you will truly be missed
You couldn’t do much better sir
To me the true golden age of professional wrestling was from 1970 to 1984. You can stretch that through 1992 if you wish. Twenty years plus change. I became a fan in 1972 at age seven and remained a diehard for the next twenty years until the sport I loved so much ceased to exist. So what I'm getting at is just how lucky I was to have been born at just the right time. If I was born just ten years later I would have missed it. That can also be said for the NFL, MLB, NHL and rock music. All of those reached their pinnacle from 1970 to 1990. To put in perspective just how short the twenty year window of greatness was consider that it's already been twenty five years since Hogan turned heel in WCW. But I was there. I grew up in WWF territory and got to see so many legends like Backlund, Morales, Superstar Graham, Dusty, Sgt. Slaughter, Adonis, Ventura, Snuka, Hansen, Mosca, Rose, Ladd, Patterson, Putski, Orton Jr., Muraco, Mascaras, Valentine, Mulligan and on and on.....month after month in our local HS gym for about if I remember five dollars a ticket with only a few hundred other fans in attendance. It was great. And this was during a time that we fans still thought it was real. And every week I could ride my bike to the local newspaper shop and spend my allowance on wrestling magazines. And I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that there was a dozen new mags every week for $1.50 each. Plus you could send away for back issues of the Apter/Weston mags for only $2 an issue. I feel bad for people who missed that. Nothing is better today than it was forty years ago. Nothing. My passion growing up was pro wrestling, NFL and rock music. Somewhere around the early to mid 90s something happened. We lost our way and never looked back. It's astonishing how far we've fallen. So much so that I haven't watched wrestling, enjoyed an NFL game or bought a piece of music in over thirty five years. I do want to end this with thanking Terry Funk who in my opinion was the most entertaining pro wrestler ever. Many Tuesday nights I would wake up at 2am, sneak downstairs and watch Florida Championship Wrestling on our UHF channel. This was in the early 80s when the top feud was Terry and Dory Funk Jr. vs that "egg sucking dog" Dusty Rhodes. One of my all time favorite moments was the empty sportatorium cage match between Terry Funk and Bruce Walkup. I'll never forget Funk screeching and screaming at Walkup to get up you pig over and over as he pretended that Walkup was Dusty Rhodes. Terry Funk like so many territorial wrestlers had split personalities. Watching Funk you would swear on your mama's grave that he was a psychopathic lunatic. But in real life he was the nicest most loyal and trustworthy family man you could ever meet. He is the perfect example of what a professional wrestler should be. He is already sorely missed.
@@donwilcox728 You are exactly right. Thank you for writing that, I really enjoyed reading it.
How many people can ever hang with Terry Funk and Haku singing karaoke? RIP Terry Funk.
I am just glad I had the pleasure of watching him wrestle in person in Detroit Michigan growing up. I am just glad I had the pleasure of watching him wrestle on television for so many years I love you Terry Funk and you're one of my favorite Ever. You have left behind so many wrestling memories thank you Sir. Rip 💕
I thought the Funker would be around forever. RIP Terry.
Amen my friend this is a sad day
Rip Terrence Funk, you will be missed
Well done Bill. Sterling job with a hard task.
This one hurts. I knew Terry had been ill and all, but as a little kid, my Father was Terry and Dory' Pastor back in the '70s, and so I got to see them all the time and other wrestlers. So this just its really hard to know he is going. RIP Terry, you are and will be missed. We all love you.
Terry left it all in the ring he gave us everything he had for those of who saw him now he can be with his wife. RIP Terry funk
Bill I met you a few years back in 2016 at Curds and Whey in Jekinstown! I was stuck on where I recognized you from and once you left it hit Pro Wrestling magazine. Terry Funk was a legend🙏🏿
In the world of pro wrestling, when Bill Apter speaks, people listen.....I'm one of them... you are so right Bill, Terry was quite possibly the greatest and most influential performer ever.....thank you Bill for the upload and your kind words regarding the Funk family.... Rip Terry.........
Loving Tribute Bill. I used to send you photos and storys in the 70's and was at Cobo Arena when Wild Bull Curry roughed you up.I first saw Terry in 1973 in Detroit against Bob Harmon, who went on to fame as Beautiful Bobby in the WWWF. Fast forward about 25 years later, He's facing Sabu in a high school gym in Linclon Park, Michigan in front of about 400 fans. They both gave 100% as if it were a ppv. Then, well into his 50's by this time, Terry did a perfect moonsault which totally popped the crowd. I wish I could have seen him more live. A true Wrestling God. One of a kind. By the way, your imatation of him... spot on. Keep up the fine work.
The master of hardcore there isn't anyone who comes close to him.
For sure
Was a very sad day waking up to hear terry passed away
Rip Terry you will be sadly missed from Melbourne Australia condolences to everyone who knew this amazing man😢🎉😢
Salute to a real one! No one gave more of themselves to professional wrestling. Nobody. Terry funk wrestled as the champion for NWA and years later for ECW.. those extremes can attest to his love for the business alone. 🎉🎉🎉 Salute!
Thank you very much for this!! It is very appreciated!!!❤👍👍👍👍
God bless Mr Funk and you too Mr Apter
So many of my childhood heroes from Pro Wrestling are passing away. Terry Funk was, no IS one of the All-Time BEST Wrestlers ever. His intensity, ability to withstand such punishment and pain, and yet still fight for himself and his fans, was unrivaled! His Hard-core career was again Unrivaled! Only Mick Foley and Sabu were close to him. His career is one of a kind as was Terry Funk himself. A TRUE LEGEND, a hero, and one of the most DEDICATED Wrestlers to the industry, his co-workers, and especially his fans! RIP Terry, 🙏 🕊 you have the respect and admiration of Wrestlers and Fans EVERYWHERE! You will be missed by so many, but you'll NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN! God Bless Terry Funk, his family, his friends, and his fans
A beautiful tribute to a great man and wrestler !! Rip
Terry ❤
As usual, Billy Apner makes a good tribute to a wrestler who has passed.
Terry is an all time great! Man he was awesome. He will be missed. Im glad he was a part of my childhood..and glad he got to live a long life...but still gone way before anybody was ready to see him go.
Rip
That you bill for making and sharing this .man was a fucking legend just like you bill .love you and safe travels my friend.
Thanks Bill. Sad day. I saw Terry Funk wrestle many times at the San Angelo, Texas city coliseum. Even once as the NWA champion against Cyclone Negro. Great memories. R.I.P. Terry!
I literally had no idea what a "World Champion" was until Larry Matysik announced at the beginning of an episode of Wrestling At The Chase that Terry Funk was the new champion of the world. That day was the true beginning of my love affair with his fascinating world. One he was always a part of. It's a world so much less colorful now. Rest in peace Champ.
The moment he arrived in heaven, Funk: "Who's got the title? I want a match!"
Bill that was beautiful!! You brought tears to my eyes. God Bless Terry.💔❤
That song Desperado will always remind me of Terry & his run in ECW when he was fighting to become the champion in '97
Brilliant tribute, Mr. Apter.
Another one of the greats gone, This one's gonna hurt for a long long time, We love you Mr Funk, Poor Dory, can only imagine how he must be hurting
Terry was the purest embodiment of a pro wrestler. He didn't do it for the money, he was an artist.
I loved when he piledrived Ric Flair on the table!
Thank you Mr Bill apter
My favorite all time wrestler R.I.P Terry Funk 😥
Terry was my favorite NWA World Champ. God bless you Terry. Thank you, and rest well mijo.
Thanks for sharing the stories
Been waiting for a video to come up from someone who's opinion I value hearing
We love you Bill Apter!
RIP Funker
Terry Funk, there never will be another like him
I also loved his matches with Mick Foley and Ric Flair!
This one really hurts, we witnessed greatness with him, RIP Terry, we will miss you, but I'm happy you are with your wife again.
Prayers for the Family,Friends,Co Workers,He will be missed,,,
This news hit me as hard as when I heard, Eddie Graham, Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes. I really loved to watch Terry's promos they were some of the Best and funniest. RIP TERRY YOU WILL BE MISSED.
I loved when he branded Hulk Hogan in the Spectrum LOL
RIP Terry Funk. Always look forward to hearing from you Mr Apter
Rip living legend Terry funk gone too soon prayers to your family and friends we will always miss the legendary terry funk 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
So very sorry to hear of Terry Funk's passing. i grew up watching him and Dory. a true legend of wrestling. RIP Terry Funk. he was my favorite.
Sad day today Bill, but at least Terry lived a long life unlike some of the other guys.
I grew up around Amarillo and my dad would take me. I saw Terry as a hero baby face and mostly scientific wrestling. I watch his dad Dory sr about 20 times. My first match at 9 yrs old was a Texas Death match…Dory sr vs the Beast. Dory sr was the king of DMs winning over 100. I witnessed Dory jr in the rematch vs Gene Kininski.
Terry Funk was one of a kind. Definitely in my Top 5 of all time, RIP Terry.
RIP to crazy old Terry Funk. A pro wrestling God for sure. All the best to his family and friends. Especially Dory
Prayers for Terry Funk and his family! I am so sorry for their loss! Thank you Mr Funk for all the great wrestling memories! You may be gone Mr Funk but you will never be forgotten! RIP.
Sorry for your loss and RIP and thank you mr funk
In 1975 at the Eddie Graham Sportatorium in Orlando Florida I watched Terry defend his NWA title against Dusty Rhodes. Dusty beat on Funk for 20 minutes and had 10 near pinfalls when Funk pulled out something from his trunks and knocked Dusty out for the pinfall. The place went dead quiet for 3 seconds then "boom" full scale riot. Chairs, fists, drinks flying. It was the greatest thing my 15 year old self had ever seen. Terry always rebuilt himself and was not only a heck of a wrestler but entertainer.
Terry 👍
My condolences on the loss of your friend!! Your so right, he truly was a wrestling god!! RIP Terry🙏
Thank you for sharing your memories of Terry Funk.
Rest in peace my brother you will be truly missed a true true Legend he was the true wrestling God
One of my favorite wrestlers. Very good actor, as well. Pound for pound, one of the toughest men around!
👍👍❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
Been a long time fan of yours Bill. I had all the magazines back then. Even though I knew wrestling was mostly a work , I still defended wrestling to the end. I knew these men was the toughest SOB'S in our great land , led by this wildman named Terry Funk. I loved it when Funk would chase Cornette all over the place. One time ripping his pant off. The empty arena match (MY EYE!) was kind of the shits , but his heat with Lawler was great. What great times they was. RIP TERRY FUNK!
RIP to one of the all time greats.
Struggling to get thru this one. RIP Terry Funk
RIP Hardcore Funk
#RIPTerryFunk #ThankYouTerryFunk
Rest in peace terry funk. Spot on impersonation Apter
Thank you.
Awesome
I didn't know he passed. RIP
Dam,right,1
RIP dear sweet Legend a Beautiful man - Terry Funk -
The 80s the territories
The other countries JAPAN Underground ECW
The big boys WCW and WWE
REST IN PEACE MR.FUNK🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
RIP Terry funk
Isn't bill about 79 take care of yourself Bill
Every one Focust Bray Wyatt Forgetting about Terry Funk
Yea. Espically AEW Rampage. Not a word..disgraceful and insulting.They showed Wyatt but not Terry. WTF.
Right, espically AEW Rampage Friday nite. Not one mention of Terry, but they did show Wyatt. Disrespectful and insulting.
Price is Right Host Bob Braker Has Died Age 😢 99
Try a tribute without the cheap voice impressions. It’s disrespectful and narcissistic.
Legends never die