WWE Hall of Famer dead at 85. Here’s what we know

Alabama Life & CultureWWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. has died. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comWWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. has died.He was 85.WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H announced the news Tuesday on X.“Saddened to announce the passing of Dory Funk Jr.,” he wrote. “From the Double Cross Ranch to WWE hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry. Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomenon. A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much.“My thoughts and those of the entire WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”Funk came from a wrestling family. He was the son of Dory Funk and the brother of the legendary Terry Funk. The Hammond, Indiana native played college football at West Texas State University and closed out his gridiron career by helping the team beat Ohio University, 15-14, in the Sun Bowl. He began his pro-wrestling career in 1963 and went on a prolific run.Funk Jr. held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and is the second-longest-reigning champion of all time, behind Lou Thesz. He also held the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship and the CWA World Heavyweight Championship. He held a long list of titles for other organizations throughout his career as well.Funk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2006 and the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022.Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...