Mr. Funk, you are one of the most established trainers in the Wrestling
world today, and you have trained a lot of famous wrestler. Wrestling Legends
like Ted DiBiase, actual WWE Superstars like Matt Hardy and future Superstars
like Chris Hero, but who was your favorite trainee you have ever had? And
which of your trainees have the potential to get a big name in the business
within the next years?
Kurt Angle was a coach's dream. He had already won an olympic gold
medal and was dedicated to learning professional wrestling.
The Hardy's had so much natural athletic ability as did Christian and
Edge.
Lita was willing to make a lot of sacrafice and was such a good natural
athlete.
Test refused to quit practice even though he had a broken finger.
Gene Sniski was a reall big bad athlete and plays that part well now.
Micky James is the latest to work Raw. She worked hard and had the
patients and guts to stick with wrestling.
Steve Corino and Rhino refused to quit and fought their way into the
business.
Genichiro Tenryu has worked the hardest to overcome adversity.
Dory, do you still meet your old ECW comrades? And what was your
favorite moment there?
The Reunions and legends shows have been great. I see my brother there
more than anywhere.
When Terry and you worked for McMahon’s WWF, what did you think of
being renamed “Hoss Funk” and jobbing for Hogan? I mean you have been one
of the world’s best known grapplers of all time and then comes Little Vince
and tells you that “Dory, Jr” is not a cool name to earn money with. Or
did you invent that name yourself?
I was working for Vince and treated really good financially at the
time. This business is really about being a part of a successful team.
I had a football coach who really did call me Hoss and my last name is
Funk, I liked the moniker than and enjoyed it with WWF. Hoss is certainly
a better name than "Little."
You were NWA World Heavyweight Champion for four years. Did you enjoy
it or was it a very exhausting time for you? And did you feel you were
the supreme wrestler on the planet at that time or did you recognize the
Champions of AWA, WWWF and Japan as being on the same level?
There was no experience like being NWA World Champion. I loved it and
from a business standpoint it was great. Athletically there is no feeling
like performing for thousands who have filled an arena for an hour or more.
The fun and easy part about our buisness is in the ring. I must say it
did cause some family stress.
I’d like to know if there has been a big rivalry between you and
your brother Terry.
Were you jealous of each other when the other one held the NWA World
Championship?
There were two choices made. Terry worked hard to help me get the title
the first time and I did the same for him when he became NWA World Champion.
He was all for me and I was all for him, 100%.
You did even face your own brother in some brutal in-ring battles.
What were your feelings towards this like? Did you enjoy it or was it a
hard business for you to hurt him or being hurt by Terry?
Like I said, inside the ring is the most enjoyable time there is in
wrestling always. I have wrestled Terry twice. In the finals of a tournament
in Japan. I felt like I was wrestling myself because we were both trained
by my father and Terry is a very good wrestler even though his rep is Hardcore.
Just after Terry broke in, Terry and Wahoo McDaniels teamed against myself
and Ricky Romero. When Terry and I were in the ring the fans were electric.
Oh, I also wrestled Terry when I was 6 years old and he was 3 years old
I won that one then avioded him for years.
Do you think TNA Wrestling could beat WWE someday? What does TNA
have to do to succeed?
To succeed they need to develop personalities who become familiar with
all wrestling fans. WWE is not only a wrestling promotion, but a huge marketing
machine and production company. Any company could become competitive with
WWE however they would have a long way to go.
You had an amazing career and many big feuds in the past thirty years.
When you look back on those feuds, who was your favorite opponent?
Jack Brisco, John Valentine, Whitey Caldwell, Ric Flair, Antonio Inoki,
Giant Baba, Seiji Sakaguchi, Harley Race, Blackjack Lanza, Carlos Colon,
Billy Robinson were all great opponents.
What's the idea behind your !BANG! TV show?
To give our trainees at the Funking Conservatory the opportunity to
prepare for and appear on television. Now that we are on the internet 24/7
our students are seen world wide performing under fire. A promoter from
anywhere in the world can go to our web site and see our wrestlers. They
can also call their mother anywhere in the world and say, "Hey Ma, watch
me wrestle on TV."
Jeff Jarrett is the current NWA World Heavyweight champion. Do you
think he is worthy to hold the prestigious belt?
Just being in that position means he has earned it.
What do you think about Bound For Glory?
I would expect them to put on a great show even though I know as I
right they are going through some difficulties.
Who was your first opponent ?
He was working the Amarillo Territory as Jack Dalton, real name Don
Cault and also worked as Don Fargo. His working brother was in his corner
and my football team, my wrestling team and my family was in my corner.
I did feel pressure at the time.
Do you still stay in contact with Genichiro Tenryu? And how does
it feel to have trained one of the biggest names in Puroresu (Tenryu)?
He worked hard to make the transition from being a Sumo Superstar to
a professional wrestler and even gave up a huge career but I think it was
a wise choice.
Who do you think is the future of Wrestling???
Carlito Colon. (Carribean Cool) Calito is trained by by his father,
Carlos Colon but has also trained here at the Funking Conservatory.
Mr. Funk, you have worked at all important stations in the world.
Many Wrestlers said, that Japan is the best place to wrestle in the whole
world. So, what do you think about your work in Japan?
I have enjoyed working in Japan. I enjoy working everywhere. There
are great wrestling fans throughout the world. I would love to work Germany
sometime, It is where my ancestors are from.
What has been your favourite match in McMahon’s WWE in the last few
years?
Triple H in a Blindfold match. I cannot remember his opponent.
How did it feel being invited to compete as a Special Attraction
in the Royal Rumble 1996, working with guys like Vader, Savio Vega and
Bob Backlund and being once again in the spotlight of millions of fans?
I am happy working in front of fans always, hundreds, thousands or
millions.
Dear Mr. Funk, if you had the Chance to wrestle against an Opponent
of your Choice you never had a Match with, who would it be and why would
you choose him?
Stu Hart
Are you very active on the Internet? Do you frequent wrestling message
boards?
I am active on the internet producing, maintaining and writing my own
web site.
When did you decide to become a wrestler?
When I got my first paycheck.
What were your first steps in the business?
According to my father, I had to complete a University education and
become a recognized skilled amateur athlete.
I chose football, amateur wrestling and I am also an accomplished ping
pong player.
Followed by Training under the eyes of my father and Ricky Romero.
Do you know Otto Wanz? If so, what do you think of him?
I am sorry, I do not know Otto Wans.
Dear Dory Funk, I remember reading about a Trainee of yours, Adam
Windsor. How's he doing and for which Promotion does he wrestle at the
Moment? Thanks.
Adam is currently on the independent circuit.
In All Japan you had legendary tag team matches against Abdullah
The Butcher and the Original Sheik, what do you think of them?
They were big box office attractions and that is what our business
is about. Much respect for both.
How was being a booker in 1983?
I have been a booker most of my life. Amarillo Territory from the 60'
through the 70, Florida and Mid Atlantic in the 80's, All Japan pro wrestling
from 70's through the 90's and here at the Funking Conservatory in the
00's
What do you think about the WWE right now?
Currently the biggest and best wrestling promotion and marketing company
in the world.
What would you change in the WWE, if you were a Booker/Writer?
I would recognize and portray the McMahon family as the real dynamic
people that they are.
Will TNA someday be able to compete with the McMahon Promotion?
Some company will. It could be TNA or it could be someone else. It
will take a lot of money.
Who is youre favourite wrestler at the moment?
Triple H
Is there a Wrestler who reminds you of yourself?
Bret Hart
What skills are most important to become a successful Wrestler?
Basics of wrestling, amateur and professional. Don't let anybody fool
you, you must know the basics.
Whats your opinion of: Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Terry Funk,
Mick Foley, Triple H, Scott Hall, Jeff Jarrett and Vince Russo?
You want me to write 8 books?
If you look back on your career what would you do different and what
was the greatest thing that happened to you?
NWA World Championship still lives with me every day. Differently,
I would have keept much better video records if my career.
How has the Wrestling business changed in the last 4-5 years?
Other than bigger stronger athletes, it is still the same in that if
fans get more than their money's worth, they will be back. If they just
get their money's worth, they might come back, cheat them on the product
and they will not come back.
Mr. Funk, how much money did you earn per night/per year at the peak
of your career?
Please post first your name and address including How much money
you earn per night per year in your career.
Then I still won't give you an answer.
Who will be in your opinion a future mainevent star in Wrestling?
Our world champion a Minister and war hero back from serving in Iraq
Johnny Magnum.
Would you love to see ECW back in action, why, why not?
Yes, more places to work for all wrestlers.
Name association:
Vince McMahon - Genius
Terry Funk - Tough
Eric Bischoff - Good Heel
Vince Russo - David Arquette
Scott Hall - Nice Guy
Triple H - Talent
Antonio Inoki - Legend
Chris Raaber - Exceptional Athlete
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