Terry Funk interview - Part 3

[The Doctor]

M. S. – What do you do when you’re not kicking people’s asses? Any
hobbies at all?

T. F. – Well, I like driving to wrestling matches! (Laughing) Not
really, not really... I have a place in Corpus where I like to fish.
That’s a pretty darn good hobby right there.

M. S. – Who would you name as the best technical wrestler in the
business?

T. F. – Kurt Angle is one of the best technical wrestlers in the
business. I think we’re all going to be surprised at Brock. When
everyone thinks Brock is down on his back and flat down in the dirt and
we’re going to see him appear in the M.M.A. or one of those shoot groups
and he’s gonna become a very, very wealthy man. Benoit is great,
Guerrero is great too and Triple H can work it, believe it or not.

M. S. – How about the best entertainer?

T. F. – Entertainer? Gosh, the best entertainer in the business right
now…hell, I’m gonna have to go with myself on that one! (Laughing)

M. S. – Looking back on all the years from the time you were watching it
as a kid to present day, name some people that you think are responsible
for taking the sport to the level it has grown to. The people who have
kept it alive in other words.

T. F. – As much as I hate to say it…

M. S. – I know what you’re going to say!

T. F. – Yep! As much as I don’t want to say it…Vince McMahon. I really
mean that. Would wrestling be alive today if Vince weren’t there? I
really don’t know! Would we have dissolved? Would we have all became
cluttered and not have been able to produce enough attendance to stay
with our society and the amount of money that it takes to live a decent
life? I don’t know. So maybe Vince is a necessity. Other people
responsible would be people like Eddie Graham, my father, Sam Mushnick,
Don Owens and the list goes on. Are they the reason wrestling is around
today? I wish I could say yes, but they’re not. The reason it’s here
today is because of Vince McMahon.

M. S. – Who were some of your favorite guys to feud with?

T. F. – Probably Abdullah in Japan and Harley Race to mention a couple.
The Brisco Brothers in Florida was a great feud. I love those guys.
Dusty Rhodes, how could I ever forget that fat a--hole? (Laughing) Chavo
Guerrero was wonderful. Ric Flair was a great feud in the Carolinas in
’89-’90. That was a rewarding feud, as far as doing stuff that was
remembered in the profession.

M. S. – Any plans for retirement?

T. F. – I don’t even remember how many times I’ve retired!

M. S. – Maybe it’s time to take a long fishing trip?

T. F. – Believe me, it’s closer than what you know!

from Mike Aldren <[e-mail]