Dory Funk Jr. Responds to my Terry Funk Interview

Last night, I received an email from Dory Funk Jr. in regards to an interview I did with Terry Funk on the site. For those unfamiliar with Dory Funk Jr., he is a former NWA World Champion that also runs one of the most successful wrestling schools in the country. Terry and Dory Jr. are brothers.

During my interview with Terry we discussed the topic of wrestling schools. Here is that portion of the interview:

Eric: One of the biggest questions I get asked on this site is about becoming a pro wrestler. Since your brother runs one of the most successful wrestling schools in the business, I was wondering if you could tell my readers what they should look out for before they decide to give their money to someone for training?

Terry Funk: Well, that’s just it. You have different individuals that think the business should be different ways. I am the guy that never, never, has charged anyone anything to get into the world of professional wrestling. And, I never, never, never would.

I would try to think of myself as being smart enough to pick someone that would be an attribute to the profession. Do I disapprove of the way that they do it? No, they are making a buck. So that’s OK and I really mean that. I think a guy should make a buck. But I think that the guys who are running those things should understand that hey just because there is Joe the sex fiend and he has got $3,000 that it doesn’t matter if he is Joe the sex fiend or not. Or here comes Jack the Ripper, or here comes this guy or that guy has nothing of any merit to it. This guy is 127 pounds and is 6’9” and if you shut one eye you would think this guy is a needle. Well, you go ahead and if this guy has $3,000 then he is going to become a wrestler. I don’t approve of that. I think that is a bad thing to have in these schools. I would never charge a person a penny to teach them pro wrestling. In fact, I would pay him before I would charge him.

In response to that portion of the interview, I received this email Dory Funk Jr. The only changes I have made to the email are for formatting to the site and the removal of the cell phone numbers mentioned in his email.

Dear Eric,

perhaps you got Terry on an off day and his memory is a bit clouded

Terry has no problem in charging folks for anything if it is good timing to his benefit such as an autograph or a trinket toy from Japan given him for free, or a t-shirt at any of the numerous conventions Terry works to sell his wares at

to answer the question that Terry was not able to answer about learning to work the wrestling ring ....

in the beginning days of Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk and many of the legends who have dominated the sport thru the years there was an abundance of territories to work and learn the business and make a living doing so, at one time there were over 40 different territories in the industry thru out the country, Canada, Japan and Europe with shows in the Caribbean as well.

that does not exist any longer and there are a handful of Coaches who have:
1)been at the top and know how to draw money
2)have been a successful owner of a territory, promoter and booker for American companies and Japanese companies that are hiring talent
3)have the ability to put your work in front of the companies who will hire the talent
4) and these Coaches are hard working and dedicated to their young students and go the extra mile for them
5) businesses cannot run without the funds to spend on the talent, and it would not be equal employment to pre judge anyone in "sports" entertainment based on height, weight and preconceived notions of what talent is or is not, especially based on looks....in the industry of pro wrestling scripted athletic performance and pro wrestling has been a "work" since the beginning for all of them, no matter what any of them say about back in the day
6) a good training program will take care of the young talent's body with a sound safety program and tell the talent it takes several months of training before a Coach can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in the business
7) and a good Coach will help talented young folks find their niche in the industry, even a good writer or booker will come from learning in the ring even if they do not become the promoted talent themselves

one of the best parts of pro wrestling is talent can come in all sizes and shapes and gender however, for young talent to start out to learn the business of in ring performance and television performance and how to excite the fans will take as much time and effort on the talent and Coache as earning a AA in college to compete for the salary of a Lawyer or Doctor, which is now what can be available to the young talent if they work hard and develop discipline

our deepest appreciation for all your hard work, because without you Eric, the young talent would not have the help of a true professional to promote them
thank you and please always give the young talent an ear and a chance

thinking of you,
Marti and Dory Funk Jr.

footnote:
if Terry Funk will train anyone for free that is a excellent deal and all talent should take him up on the offer as he has accomplished most everything on the above list,Terry Funk's cell phone is (removed) for all talent who want to have free training from him or as he says he will pay them to train with him