Tributes are flowing for Terry Funk after the wrestling icon passed away, aged 79.
Funk provided his sport with some of the more memorable moments in its history, but also transcended wrestling and entered the doors of Hollywood.
He appeared alongside some of the greats of the movie industry, including Patrick Swayze and Sylvester Stallone, and also made a name for himself in television.
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He was known for the ‘goofy’ or crazy element he brought to wrestling, but he was also considered a wild man in the ring and a great fighter.
His “forever” post-fight speech in Japan (as seen in the video above) – where the crowd joined him as he stood, bloodied-faced and chanting “forever” into the mic – is one of the all-time classic wrestling moments.
In his later years, Funk battled with dementia and was living in a care facility.
The WWE announced the death of the Hall of Famer early on Thursday morning.
And fans and rivals were quick to share their fond memories of the wrestling star.
Slamwrestling described Funk as a “contradiction”.
He was a “polite, soft-spoken man” who apologised for his need to spit out his chewing tobacco, but he was also a “madman of the ring who would stop at nothing to incite a crowd”, the website said.
Dory Funk Jr, Terry’s brother and a former wrestler himself, said Terry “was all in with life”.
“He loved pro-wrestling and his fans. Terry has been blessed with two beautiful loving and supportive daughters. All my love to my brother Terry,” Dory said on social media.
And former wrestler ‘Cowboy’ Dan Kroffat said: “What a character he is. I worked with him sometimes, and I just used to shake my head.
“This guy was somewhere between a space cadet and a nutcase. He was wild.”
Funk’s famous rival from the 1980s, Ric Flair, said: “In my entire life, I’ve never met a guy who worked harder.
“Terry Funk was a great wrestler, entertainer, unbelievably fearless, and a great friend!”
Mick Foley (AKA Cactus Jack) said: “He was my mentor, my idol, one of the closest friends.”
Foley also said Funk “was the greatest wrestler I ever saw”.
“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.”
Funk’s best known movies are Paradise Alley (the 1978 comedy-drama with Sylvester Stallone) and the 1989 action-thriller Road House (with Patrick Swayze).
He also appears – as himself – in the highly acclaimed 1999 documentary Beyond The Mat.
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