Pro wrestling legend Dory Funk Jr dead at 85

Dory Funk Jr., a pro wrestling legend who competed across the globe and helped train countless stars, has died, WWE announced on Tuesday.He was 85.Funk began his pro wrestling pursuits in 1963 after he finished his college football career at West Texas A&M University.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITALDory Funk Jr.is in action against Harley Race during an NWA show on May 24, 1973, in Kansas City, Mo.

(WWE via Getty Images)"Saddened to announce the passing of Dory Funk, Jr.," WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque wrote in a post on X."From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry.

Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomena."A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much.My thoughts and those of the entire @WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time."Funk started in his father Dory Funk Sr.’s promotion, Western States Sports, in 1963 and got real-world experience off the wrestling the likes of Harley Race and others.

It was in 1969 where he came the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) worlds champion and held the title for more than four years.He would be seen in the NWA until 1987.Dory Funk Jr.

poses for photos.(WWE via Getty Images)"The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of Hall of Fame former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.," the NWA said in a post on X.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"The National Wrestling Alliance sends its most heartfelt wishes to the family, friends and fans of Dory Funk Jr., a true legend whose contributions to p...