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All Japan Pro Wrestling will hold a memorial service dedicated to the former NWA World Champion Dory Funk Jr. on 8/9 at their Korakuen Hall event in Tokyo, it was announced.
New Japan Pro Wrestling issued the following:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dory Funk Jr. at the age of 85.
The son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother to Terry Funk, Dory Jr. made his pro-wrestling debut in 1963. On February 11 1969, he defeated Gene Kiniski to lift the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, a title he held for four years and three months. During that reign, Dory made his first trip to Japan for the JWA, where he wrestled memorable bouts with Giant Baba and NJPW founder Antonio Inoki, both in singles matches and in tag bouts alongside brother Terry.
The Funk brothers would be beloved by the Japanese fans, and became key international players in the Japanese pro-wrestling boom of the '70s and '80s. 'The Great Texan' wouldn't wrestle in NJPW however until October 2001, where the Funks took on Tatsumi Fujinami and Bob Backlund for a dream tag team match in the Tokyo Dome.
The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all at NJPW go out to Funk's family, friends and fans.
Funk passed away this week at 85 years old.
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