Terry Funk interview - Part 1
Feb 16, 2005 0:47:10 GMT -5
Post by The Doctor on Feb 16, 2005 0:47:10 GMT -5
TERRY FUNK - W365 INTERVIEW
By: Michael Strider
One of the key elements that’s missing in the world of professional
wrestling today is wrestler individuality. The foundation of the sport
was built by wrestlers who created their own characters around their own
personalities. They weren’t created by a 25 year old kid in New York
City with a college education and no knowledge of the heritage of the
sport. When we talk about incredible personalities that have paved the
road for wrestling, true wrestling fans think of people like Dusty
Rhodes, Jimmy Valiant and Superstar Billy Graham. These guys were not
only great wrestlers, but even better entertainers. Another one of the
most outrageous and outspoken characters to have ever stepped into the
ring is Terry Funk. Terry took time out to speak candidly about his
upcoming book and his incredible sense of humor. Terry certainly doesn’t
have to be in a ring to be hardcore and extreme!
M. S. – When did you first make the decision to get into the sport?
T. F. – Probably when I was five years old. Most kids wanted to be a
cowboy or Indian, a cop or a fireman…I wanted to be a wrestler. I guess
it was because of being a second generation since my father was a
wrestler. I can’t think of anything else that I would have wanted to do
other than to get into the ring. It’s a wonderful thing to play “cowboys
and Indians” all of your life. I never quit, I just kept on playing it!
And that’s pretty much what it is.
M. S. “Cowboys and Indians” has definitely paid off for you...
T. F. – It certainly has.
M. S. – Who were some of your favorites while growing up?
T. F. – Naturally Eddie Graham was one of my favorites. Don Curtis and
Sammy Steamboat were favorites. Lou Thez and Verne Gagne-I loved to
watch them both! Verne Gagne has never been given enough credit for his
in-the-ring performance. I also liked to watch Pat O’Connor and Gorgeous
George (the one and only Gorgeous George, that is.) I loved to watch
Mike DiBiase, Ted’s dad. Frankie Hill Murdoch who was Richard’s daddy.
George Wagner and the list goes on and on and on. Those were just some
of the guys that I watched as a kid. A lot of those names don’t mean
anything to the fans anymore.
M. S. – What’s been your favorite organization to work for and why?
T. F. – Florida Championship Wrestling was a great place. Sam Mushnick
in St. Louis had a great business. The way he ran his business was
unique because he used the “less is more” theory. I liked wrestling at
all of the organizations from Los Angeles to Texas to the Carolinas. I
had a compassion for all the places that I worked and a love for all the
guys that were in the territory.
from Mike Aldren <theeditor@wrestlinggroupie.com
By: Michael Strider
One of the key elements that’s missing in the world of professional
wrestling today is wrestler individuality. The foundation of the sport
was built by wrestlers who created their own characters around their own
personalities. They weren’t created by a 25 year old kid in New York
City with a college education and no knowledge of the heritage of the
sport. When we talk about incredible personalities that have paved the
road for wrestling, true wrestling fans think of people like Dusty
Rhodes, Jimmy Valiant and Superstar Billy Graham. These guys were not
only great wrestlers, but even better entertainers. Another one of the
most outrageous and outspoken characters to have ever stepped into the
ring is Terry Funk. Terry took time out to speak candidly about his
upcoming book and his incredible sense of humor. Terry certainly doesn’t
have to be in a ring to be hardcore and extreme!
M. S. – When did you first make the decision to get into the sport?
T. F. – Probably when I was five years old. Most kids wanted to be a
cowboy or Indian, a cop or a fireman…I wanted to be a wrestler. I guess
it was because of being a second generation since my father was a
wrestler. I can’t think of anything else that I would have wanted to do
other than to get into the ring. It’s a wonderful thing to play “cowboys
and Indians” all of your life. I never quit, I just kept on playing it!
And that’s pretty much what it is.
M. S. “Cowboys and Indians” has definitely paid off for you...
T. F. – It certainly has.
M. S. – Who were some of your favorites while growing up?
T. F. – Naturally Eddie Graham was one of my favorites. Don Curtis and
Sammy Steamboat were favorites. Lou Thez and Verne Gagne-I loved to
watch them both! Verne Gagne has never been given enough credit for his
in-the-ring performance. I also liked to watch Pat O’Connor and Gorgeous
George (the one and only Gorgeous George, that is.) I loved to watch
Mike DiBiase, Ted’s dad. Frankie Hill Murdoch who was Richard’s daddy.
George Wagner and the list goes on and on and on. Those were just some
of the guys that I watched as a kid. A lot of those names don’t mean
anything to the fans anymore.
M. S. – What’s been your favorite organization to work for and why?
T. F. – Florida Championship Wrestling was a great place. Sam Mushnick
in St. Louis had a great business. The way he ran his business was
unique because he used the “less is more” theory. I liked wrestling at
all of the organizations from Los Angeles to Texas to the Carolinas. I
had a compassion for all the places that I worked and a love for all the
guys that were in the territory.
from Mike Aldren <theeditor@wrestlinggroupie.com