WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. Passes Away at 85

Dory Funk Jr., a renowned WWE Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday, as reported by the Ocala Gazette, which cited his wife, Marti Funk. She indicated that he died while under hospice care.

The Cauliflower Alley Club honored Funk on social media, describing him as a champion and ambassador for wrestling. Brian Blair also shared memories of Funk on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the news of his death.

Funk began his wrestling career in 1963 and gained fame for winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in February 1969, holding the title for four-and-a-half years. He worked with various promotions, including All Japan Pro Wrestling, ECW, and WWF, and continued to influence the sport through his Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida. A public memorial service is planned for Thanksgiving Day, with details to be announced.