Terry Funk Interview Recap: Shoots on Vince, ECW, More

**KayfabeMan** · 04-29-2005, 04:10 PM

taken from a recap from AudioWrestling.com - and it proves why Terry Funk is the man / a genius. Please read on, and enjoy the first "Hardcore Legend".

Also [Mick Foley style] Terry is promoting his new book, "Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore", available at http://www.sportspublishingllc.com *cheap pop*

A host describes the book as if a lesson is being taught to younger wrestlers, particularly the chapter on cutting promos. Terry is appreciative and emphasizes "remembering the people of the past" and how the newer wrestlers need to be taught how to love the business. Terry also discusses his recent attendance at the Cauliflower Alley awards.

On the subject of his brother, Dory Funk, Jr. and how they are different yet similar, Terry attributes that to wrestling being an extension of one's
personality.

Host asks Terry to compare the WWF of the 80's to the WWE of the 90's and his run with Cactus Jack. Terry says Vince was "running strong" in the 80's and "running scared" in the 90's. He thinks Vince realized that the product needed to change and began to emulate ECW.

Host asks about the early days of ECW. Terry says ECW wasn't built around one man, not even Paul Heyman -- it was a group of guys who came together for a common purpose and loved the product, willing to put their lives on the line for its success.

About the "Born To Be Wired" barbwire match from 1997 with Sabu. Terry recalls Sabu ripping open his bicep on the barbwire and taping it up like it was nothing. Funk says that raised the bar and he was determined to keep up with a stellar performance, despite the dangerous nature of the barbwire.

On the topic of Tommy Dreamer, Terry admired Tommy's dedication to the group, capitalizing on the chances had ECW to thrive. He remembers how Tommy used to clean the lockerroom with a broom to make sure the fed would be allowed in that arena again. Terry calls him a "real good boy" and wants to see him do well.

Terry feels it is going to be difficult to recreate the Three-Way Dance main event at Hardcore Homecoming with him and Shane Douglas and Sabu. Regardless of the physical limitations, particularly of Sabu, Terry knows all the participants will bust their asses and hopes (and prays) the match comes off well.

Host asks if either Hardcore Homecoming or the WWE's sponsored ECW PPV will truly be an honest recreation of ECW. Terry think it will be good for the night but you need compassion for the profession and isn't sure it could be sustained for more than one night. Terry thinks the true passion is going to be with the Hardcore Homecoming group He has little faith in WWE to capture the passion of ECW, from the wrestlers and fans. Terry also predicts Hardcore Homecoming will do bigger numbers than WWE's PPV, in DVD sales.

Terry is frustrated that while Vince McMahon flat out destroyed ECW and hated the product, he is now going to reap the rewards by putting out a DVD and PPV in its name. Terry calls Vince is a "pure, utter asshole" and doesn't give a damn about Vince's show. He wants to see his friends get a payday but doesn't think Vince deserves a cut of the pie

Host gets Terry's thoughts on Ric Flair's comments on Bret Hart and Mick Foley in his book. Terry thinks Foley is a great performer and understands the fans more than anyone in this business today. As for Bret, Terry respects his ability to draw money simply by wrestling (similar to Johnny Valentine).

Terry says he sees himself getting involved in other feds like TNA, seeing how its hard for him to put the business behind him. Surprisingly, Terry doesn't watch wrestling on TV because he doesn't want to see someone better or worse than him.

Host asks if its possible to spot future stars like Steve Austin or JBL early on in one's career. Terry says its possible, especially when its an extension of one's personality. Terry calls Austin a "tremendous talent with a lot of character" and Bradshaw a "goofy nut from Texas" but a "politician".

In wrapping up the segment, host gets Terry's thoughts on Hulk Hogan. He
says Hogan has great charisma, mind for the business and knows the WWE fans better than most wrestlers. Check out Terry Funk's new book, Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore, available at most major bookstores and at
http://www.sportspublishingllc.com.

**KayfabeMan** · 04-29-2005, 04:13 PM

Damnit, my post is offcenter now

Anyhow, Terry is the man.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryFunk

the newer wrestlers need to be taught how to love the business

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryFunk

Vince is a "pure, utter asshole

**James Steele** · 04-29-2005, 04:15 PM

I AM IN YOUR SIG!!!!!!!

And Terry Funk is indeed the man.

**PureHatred** · 04-29-2005, 04:21 PM

Good stuff. You can tell how much he loves the business. He didn't become a wrestler when it was a 'career opportunity' the way it seemsmany of today's newcomers do.

funk is a crazy old fuck, but you have to admire his passion and dedication to the "sport" and its athletes --not just to the promoters and the money.

**YOUR Hero** · 04-29-2005, 04:49 PM

old school.

**olympic hitman** · 04-29-2005, 10:20 PM

I gained even more respect for Terry Funk after watching the "Beyond the Mat" documentary. I mean, I already knew about Terry's accomplishments in the ring, but, to actually see his dedication and determination to the wrestling business, just makes me respect him even more. Funk is one of the few "veteran" wrestlers that is the same in the ring each time you see him[a compliment to his character and him as a person].

When the doctors tell you to quit and retire because of your health and you do it simply because you love it and it's all you've ever known, that's loyalty and dedication. Funk is a "legend" in every sense of the word and will be a welcomed addition to the wrestling hall-of-fame one day.

**James Steele** · 04-29-2005, 10:27 PM

No, Terry Funk is a wrestling god. While he may not be Hulk Hogan, he is a cornerstone of the industry and gets nothing but my upmost respect.

IMO, when I think of wrestling Terry Funk is a name that pops to mind.

04-29-2005, 04:10 PM	#1
KayfabeMan TPWW's Glass Ceiling Posts: 5,793	Terry Funk Interview Recap: Shoots on Vince, ECW, More taken from a recap from AudioWrestling.com - and it proves why Terry Funk is the man / a genius. Please read on, and enjoy the first "Hardcore Legend". Also [Mick Foley style] Terry is promoting his new book, "Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore", available at http://www.sportspublishingllc.com cheap pop A host describes the book as if a lesson is being taught to younger wrestlers, particularly the chapter on cutting promos. Terry is appreciative and emphasizes "remembering the people of the past" and how the newer wrestlers need to be taught how to love the business. Terry also discusses his recent attendance at the Cauliflower Alley awards. On the subject of his brother, Dory Funk, Jr. and how they are different yet similar, Terry attributes that to wrestling being an extension of one's personality. Host asks Terry to compare the WWF of the 80's to the WWE of the 90's and his run with Cactus Jack. Terry says Vince was "running strong" in the 80's and "running scared" in the 90's. He thinks Vince realized that the product needed to change and began to emulate ECW. Host asks about the early days of ECW. Terry says ECW wasn't built around one man, not even Paul Heyman -- it was a group of guys who came together for a common purpose and loved the product, willing to put their lives on the line for its success. About the "Born To Be Wired" barbwire match from 1997 with Sabu. Terry recalls Sabu ripping open his bicep on the barbwire and taping it up like it was nothing. Funk says that raised the bar and he was determined to keep up with a stellar performance, despite the dangerous nature of the barbwire. On the topic of Tommy Dreamer, Terry admired Tommy's dedication to the group, capitalizing on the chances had ECW to thrive. He remembers how Tommy used to clean the lockerroom with a broom to make sure the fed would be allowed in that arena again. Terry calls him a "real good boy" and wants to see him do well. Terry feels it is going to be difficult to recreate the Three-Way Dance main event at Hardcore Homecoming with him and Shane Douglas and Sabu. Regardless of the physical limitations, particularly of Sabu, Terry knows all the participants will bust their asses and hopes (and prays) the match comes off well. Host asks if either Hardcore Homecoming or the WWE's sponsored ECW PPV will truly be an honest recreation of ECW. Terry think it will be good for the night but you need compassion for the profession and isn't sure it could be sustained for more than one night. Terry thinks the true passion is going to be with the Hardcore Homecoming group He has little faith in WWE to capture the passion of ECW, from the wrestlers and fans. Terry also predicts Hardcore Homecoming will do bigger numbers than WWE's PPV, in DVD sales. Terry is frustrated that while Vince McMahon flat out destroyed ECW and hated the product, he is now going to reap the rewards by putting out a DVD and PPV in its name. Terry calls Vince is a "pure, utter asshole" and doesn't give a damn about Vince's show. He wants to see his friends get a payday but doesn't think Vince deserves a cut of the pie Host gets Terry's thoughts on Ric Flair's comments on Bret Hart and Mick Foley in his book. Terry thinks Foley is a great performer and understands the fans more than anyone in this business today. As for Bret, Terry respects his ability to draw money simply by wrestling (similar to Johnny Valentine). Terry says he sees himself getting involved in other feds like TNA, seeing how its hard for him to put the business behind him. Surprisingly, Terry doesn't watch wrestling on TV because he doesn't want to see someone better or worse than him. Host asks if its possible to spot future stars like Steve Austin or JBL early on in one's career. Terry says its possible, especially when its an extension of one's personality. Terry calls Austin a "tremendous talent with a lot of character" and Bradshaw a "goofy nut from Texas" but a "politician". In wrapping up the segment, host gets Terry's thoughts on Hulk Hogan. He says Hogan has great charisma, mind for the business and knows the WWE fans better than most wrestlers. Check out Terry Funk's new book, Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore, available at most major bookstores and at http://www.sportspublishingllc.com.

04-29-2005, 04:15 PM	#3
James Steele TPWW's HHH Mark Since '04 Posts: 29,886	I AM IN YOUR SIG!!!!!!! And Terry Funk is indeed the man.

04-29-2005, 04:21 PM	#4
PureHatred Instant Credibility Posts: 2,979	Good stuff. You can tell how much he loves the business. He didn't become a wrestler when it was a 'career opportunity' the way it seemsmany of today's newcomers do. funk is a crazy old fuck, but you have to admire his passion and dedication to the "sport" and its athletes --not just to the promoters and the money.

04-29-2005, 04:49 PM	#5
YOUR Hero Adminstigator Posts: 102,491	old school.

04-29-2005, 10:20 PM	#6
olympic hitman It's ALL True.... Posts: 136	I gained even more respect for Terry Funk after watching the "Beyond the Mat" documentary. I mean, I already knew about Terry's accomplishments in the ring, but, to actually see his dedication and determination to the wrestling business, just makes me respect him even more. Funk is one of the few "veteran" wrestlers that is the same in the ring each time you see him[a compliment to his character and him as a person]. When the doctors tell you to quit and retire because of your health and you do it simply because you love it and it's all you've ever known, that's loyalty and dedication. Funk is a "legend" in every sense of the word and will be a welcomed addition to the wrestling hall-of-fame one day.

04-29-2005, 10:27 PM	#7
James Steele TPWW's HHH Mark Since '04 Posts: 29,886	No, Terry Funk is a wrestling god. While he may not be Hulk Hogan, he is a cornerstone of the industry and gets nothing but my upmost respect. IMO, when I think of wrestling Terry Funk is a name that pops to mind.