WrestleMania / WWE Hall of Fame  

Read Dory Funk's Speech as Given at the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony  

Photo Courtesy of Ocala Star Banner - Doug Engle

Dory Funk Jr.'s Hall of Fame Ring

Dory Funk Jr.'s Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech
Un Censored - Un Edited
Part I
Part II

Video - Dory Funk Jr. Special Interview - Ocala Star Banner

Print Story - Dory Funk Jr. Special Interview - Ocala Star Banner

Video - Dory Funk Jr. Special Interview With Jimmy Hart

2009 Inductees - Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Stone Cold Steve Austin,
Ricky Steamboat, Koko B. Ware, The VonErich's, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel

Dory Funk Jr. Comments on His Induction to the WWE Hall of Fame

More Comments by Dory Funk Jr. His Hall of Fame Induction

Miami Hearald / "The Funk's" Induction into WWE's Hall of Fame
 

Dory Funk Jr. vs Dusty Rhodes 
Dusty Rhodes to Induct The Funks into WWE Hall of Fame

 
 
 

Dory Funk Jr. with fellow Inductee, Stone Cold Steve Austin

Jimmy Hart - WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart Receives
Funking Conservatory Fighting Hart Award

Breaking News at the Funking Conservator
Dory Funk Jr's Induction to WWE Hall of Fame

!BANG! TV Video Dory Funk Jr. Special Interview With Jimmy Hart

WrestleMania 25 Event Information

I have not seen the movie, "The Wrestler," however based on what I have heard, Mickey Rouark did a remarkable job of acting and is deserving of an Oscar Nimination and could very well win the Best Actor Award for his performance.

Professional wrestling during the "Golden Era" of the National Wrestling Alliance and the Wrestling Territories of the 60's, 70's and early 80's, was sometimes referred to as "Old School."

The wrestlers and promoters I knew (Days of the Territories or Old School) were professional athletes, business men and family oriented athletes. They were also well respected and contributors to the communities in which they lived.

I am refering to athletes like Dory Funk Sr., Terry Funk, Wahoo McDaniel, Gene Kiniski, John Valentine, Jack Brico, Jerry Brisco, Fritz Von Erich, Eddie Graham, Bob Geigel, Stu Hart, Bret Hart and the entire Hard Family, Chauvo Guerrero, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Sam Muchnick, Jim Crockett, Eddie Farhat, Gory Guerrero, Paul Boesch, Nick Gulas, Roy Shire, Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Jim Barnett, Bruno Sammartino, Vince McMahon Sr. and the list could go on and on.

Professional Wrestling as I knew the "Sport" was a First Class Business.

Dory Funk Jr.'s Speech as Given at the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

“This Great Sport,” Professional Wrestling has been my life. My father, Dory Funk Sr. was my wrestling coach. I had my first wrestling match when I was just 7 years old.

I have wrestled over 10,000 matches, I have been slammed to the mat over 100,000 times, I have bled untold gallons of blood.

I have driven 2,000,000 miles and I have flown 2,000,000 more miles to make my shots.

I've flown 70 times across the Pacific Ocean to wrestle for All Japan Pro-wrestling and on hundreds of occasions wrestled two matches in the same day. I have wrestled over 330 matches a year.

Would I do it all over again? In a New York Minute I WOULD!

My proudest moment in professional wrestling came on February 11, 1969 when I won the National Wrestling Alliance World Championship in Tampa, Florida from Gene Kiniski. My Father, Dory Funk Sr. was in my corner.

Dad put his arm around me and said, "Son, If you never accomplish anything else in professional wrestling, You have done as much as a man can do."

Now, Terry and I are being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. This is my proudest moment in professional wrestling.

My Father, Dory Funk Sr. guided my career in professional wrestling.

My Mother, Dorothy Culver Funk only recently passed away January 30th of this year.

It was Mother who drove 30 miles every day so We could stay after school to practice football. It was Mother who was there cheering for me. When Coach Wheelock said, "Funk you line up on defense“, and I didn't know which side of the ball was defense.

Mother unconditionally loved and protected us. Thank You Mom for all the love you gave, I know you are proud of us both.

I would like to thank all of the people who have helped me along the way.

My Wife, business partner, friend and lover, Marti Funk, Thank You

My children, Dr. Dory Funk, from Paonia Colorado, My Daughter - Penny Dustman, Teacher in the Amarillo School System and My Youngest Son, Adam Dirk Funk, Computer Technical Facilitator for the Amarillo School System, Thank You.

My thanks to the President and Owner of All Japan Pro Wrestling, The Great Muta, Osamu Nishimura, Masanobu Fuchi.

To our Funking Conservatory Wrestling School Athletes who have made the trip from Florida to Houston to be with us to celebrate this occasion, Johnny Magnum, Wahoo McDaniel Jr. the Claw, Claudia Reiff, Jumbo Elvis, 7' 4" Tall and 450 pound, Jason The Giant, and our production team from !BANG! TV, Marti Funk Thank you all very much.


To the entire Hart Family of Calgary Alberta, Thank you for some of my most fun times in wrestling.

I remember Ninety minute matches with Wahoo McDaniel and John Valentine in Houston to sell out crowds at the Sam Houston Coliseum

Another ninety minute match came in Jacksonville, Florida against Jack Brisco. I faced Jack Brisco as a challenger to the World Title around the world. We had More than 100 one hour wrestling matches. Thank You Jack, for all the great matches and the credibility you bring to professional wrestling.

To Jerry Brisco for some of the hottest Tag Team matches with you and Jack against Terry and myself, Thank you.

To more challengers to the World Championship, Hall of Famer Fritz Von Erich, (In Texas Stadium)

To the entire Guerrero Family from El Paso, Texas Your Father, Gory Guerrero and your mother brought a wonderful family to professional wrestling. Thank you very much.

I am proud to have had an International Impact on professional wrestling from the days of the regional territories that continues to the present through our Funking Conservatory Wrestling School and our relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling and now through World Wrestling Entertainment with my Induction to the WWE Hall of Fame.

I am proud to be a part of the wrestling world through the internet and online broadcasting with !BANG! TV

Only Texas is big enough to hold this event, the induction of Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Funk Brothers, Ricky Steamboat, the Von Erichs, Cowboy Bill Watts the "Bird Man" himself Koko B Ware.. and Howard Finkel. It is an honor to be here.

WrestleMania 25 features six wrestlers I have had the privilege of coaching on their way to becoming Super Stars. Edge, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Mark Henry, Christian, and Mickie James. Seeing their success makes my heart just swell this big.

Thank you for the highlight of my career
Vince, Linda, Stephanie, Triple H, Shane