VIEW FROM THE RISING SUN
by Masanori Horie

Terry Funk in Tokyo in Summer 2001

Terry Funk (July 17, 2001---Tokyo)

"My greatest accomplishment in the wrestling business was being a success for a long period of time. Being considered a great performer would probably be the greatest attribute that anyone could say toward me. And say that I did a good job."

Terry Funk was staying in Tokyo, Japan July 15-19 to do publicity for Barry Blaustein's film, "Beyond The Mat," which will be shown in Japan beginning August 11, 2001. Blaustein focused on Terry Funk, Mick Foley, and Jake Roberts, along with other wrestlers, and showed us their humanity. The film will draw well in Japan because Terry and Mick are two of the most popular gaijins (foreign wrestlers), and the WWF has been booming via satellite channels in Japan. Terry was so energetic to meet so many interviewers from not only wrestling magazines but also class magazines and papers every day. Various Japanese wrestling offices also made him offers to wrestle in Japan.

Beyond The Mat Japanese Program

"You have to understand what my definition is of hard core, it's a person that goes into the ring and gives 100% for the fans in the arena that particular night. Whether it's 20 or 20,000."

Terry Funk (July 17, 2001---Tokyo)

"Very honest, as honest as I can be, it's very difficult to retire. Basically because I started out so many years ago and believe me, my profession has not been a bed of roses as far as financial gain, but I love the profession! I could go back to times when a $25 payoff was a lot to me."

Terry Funk vs. Bret Hart (September 11, 1997---Amarillo, Texas)

September 11, 1997---Amarillo, Texas

Terry Funk and a Japanese actress, Atsuko Sakuraba
(July 16, 2001---Tokyo)

Terry Funk made his film debut playing as "Frankie the Thumper" and did wrestling choreography on noted wrestling fan Sylvester Stallone's "Paradise Alley" in 1978. In this film, for which Stallone debuted as a director and also sang the theme song, three none-too-bright brothers struggled to find a way out of New York's seedy Hell's Kitchen, circa 1946, and one brother hoped to make it big as a wrestler. Pro wrestlers who appeared in this movie include Dory Funk Jr., Gene Kiniski, Don Leo Jonathan, Ray Stevens, Red Bastien, Dick Murdoch, Reggie Parks, Bob Roop, Johnny Starr, Dennis Stamp, "KO" Alex Perez, Jay "Alaskan" York, Ted DiBiase, Ervin Smith, Don Kernodle, Larry Lane, "Black Jack" Randy Morse, Rock Riddle, and Tonga Yociato (Haku/Meng).

In later years, Terry acted for Stallone as "Ruker" in "Over The Top" in 1987 and performed stunts in "Rambo III" in 1988.

Terry played as "Prometheus Jones" of The Wildside Chamber of Commerce in "Wildside" in 1985 with Meg Ryan (as "Cally Oaks") and Jason Hervey (as "Zeke").

Terry Funk as Prometheus Jones / (L-R) J. Eddie Peck, William Smith, John diAquino, Howard Rollins, and Terry Funk as The Wildside Chamber of Commerce

Meg Ryan as Cally Oaks

Terry appeared on various TV series including:
"Timestalker" in 1987
"Swamp Thing" playing "J. J. Dax" in episode: "The Prometheus Parabola" on April 5, 1991
"Quantum Leap" playing "Carl" in "Heart of a Champion-July 23,1955" on May 8, 1991
"Tequila and Bonetti" playing "Sergeant Nuzo" in "Brooklyn and the Beast" on April 17, 1992
"The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." playing "Defendant" in "Pilot" on August 23, 1993
"Thunder in Paradise" playing "Amarillo Doaks" in "Queen of Hearts" on July 15, 1994
"Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?" in 1998

Terry also played as "Morgan" in "Road House" in 1989 and appeared in Fred Olen Ray's movies, "Mom, Can I Keep Her?" in 1998 and "Active Stealth" playing "Morgan" in 1999.

Beyond The Mat (1999)

Barry Blaustein:
"Every documentary on wrestling seems to focus on whether it's real or not, and is presented with a wink and a nod. Well, I could care less if it's real or not; that's not even an issue. Wrestling has the loudest, greatest fans in the world. Wrestling is wonderful theater; it's good vs. evil. People should just enjoy the sport for what it is. I want to show people why I like it so much."

Terry Funk has retired more than once before. I have attended his two big retirement shows, in Japan and in his hometown; Dory & Terry Funk vs. Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy at Kuramae Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) in Tokyo on August 31, 1983, and Terry Funk vs. Bret Hart at the Tri-State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Amarillo, Texas on September 11, 1997. There are bitter opinions against not only Terry's but also other pro wrestlers' retirements and quick comebacks. Personally, I will be really impressed with it as a professional wrestler's "destiny" rather than be disgusted. Terry Funk was one of the greatest wrestlers who were the prime movers in letting me become captivated by pro wrestling, so I will follow him where he will go.

Other "Beyond The Mat" Fames:
Jake "The Snake" Roberts (September 12, 1997---Amarillo, Texas) / Michael Modest (July 13, 2001---Tokyo)
---Michael will be a great one in Puroresu

Paradise Alley (1978) / Over The Top (1987) / Rambo III (1988)

Wildside (1985) / Timestalker (1987)/ Road House (1989)

Mom, Can I Keep Her? (1998) / Active Stealth (1999)

More about The Funks:

October 30, 2000---Flashback: The Funks in Japan
October 25, 1999---The Funks 2000 Part 2
September 20, 1999---Boys, Be Ambitious (Funking Conservatory II)
June 28, 1999---Funks 2000
April 19, 1999---Terry Funk's title matches in Japan
January 25, 1999---WWF Funking Dojo
November 16, 1998---Dory Funk Jr., 60 Minute Man

Return to List of Articles

E-mail the site designer at [email protected]