Funk Brothers: The Tag Team That Knew How to Get Down

The Funk Brothers are the real deal, folks. This tag team has been putting on shows for nearly five decades, and they've got the hardware to prove it. Comprising Dory Funk Jr. and his various partners – including Chainsaw Charlie, Hoss Funk, and Terry Funk – this duo has captured a slew of championships across multiple promotions.

Their story begins in 1966, when Dory Funk Jr. first laced up his boots. He was just 22 years old, but he had already developed a reputation as a scrappy, no-nonsense wrestler. Over the years, he'd team with various partners – including his brother Terry, who's a wrestling legend in his own right – and the results were always the same: chaos, destruction, and a whole lot of fun.

The Funk Brothers' heyday came in the 1970s and '80s, when they were fixtures of the WWF (now WWE) and AJPW (All Japan Pro Wrestling). They won titles left and right, including the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the WWC (World Wrestling Council) Tag Team Championship. And let's not forget their numerous NWA regional championships – they must have had a whole trophy case filled up by this point.

But here's the thing: the Funk Brothers weren't just about winning titles. They were about putting on a show, every single night. They knew how to work a crowd like few others, and their matches often felt like a wild, unpredictable ride. You never knew what was going to happen next – would they tear each other apart, or would they somehow manage to emerge victorious?

In 1990, the Funk Brothers split up, but that didn't stop Dory Funk Jr. from continuing to wrestle. He teamed with Chainsaw Charlie in the mid-1990s, and they had some great matches together. Later on, he'd team with his old partner Terry Funk again, just for good measure.

In 2013, at the age of 77, Dory Funk Jr. finally hung up his boots for good. It was a fitting end to an incredible career – one that spanned nearly five decades and included countless championships, memorable matches, and a whole lot of joy.

So here's to the Funk Brothers: Hoss, Terry, Chainsaw Charlie, and Dory Funk Jr. themselves. They may not be as spry as they used to be, but their legacy lives on – and if you ever get the chance to see some of their old matches, do yourself a favor and take it.
Members: Dory Funk Jr. and Chainsaw Charlie
Promotions: AJPW, Independent, JWA, NWA, WWC, WWF

Facts

Funk Brothers: A Legacy in Pro-Wrestling

• The Funk Brothers, comprising Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk, were one of the most iconic tag teams in professional wrestling history.

• Their first match together took place on February 4, 1966, a date that marked the beginning of a remarkable career spanning over four decades.

• Throughout their careers, they competed for various promotions, including World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

• The Funk Brothers held multiple tag team championships, including the WWC Tag Team Championship, NWA International Tag Team Championship, NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship, and NWA North American Tag Team Championship.

• Terry Funk's in-ring style was characterized as a technician, brawler, and hardcore wrestler, earning him a reputation as one of the toughest men in professional wrestling.

• Dory Funk Jr.'s versatility allowed him to excel as an all-rounder, showcasing his technical skills alongside his ability to brawl effectively.

• The duo's intense matches often featured a blend of technical grappling, high-flying moves, and brutal brawling, which captivated audiences worldwide.

• Their partnership was not limited to the ring; they also formed a strong bond off-screen, with Terry Funk often serving as a mentor to Dory Jr. throughout their careers.

• The Funk Brothers' last match together took place on October 27, 2013, a testament to their enduring legacy in professional wrestling.

• Despite their individual paths diverging over the years, both Terry and Dory Funk Jr. continued to make significant contributions to the world of professional wrestling, cementing their status as legends of the sport.

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