Various: Tributes to Terry Funk, Takami Ohbari on Importance of Women’s Wrestling for NJPW, Indies

Aug 24, 2023

Wrestling World Pays Tribute to the Late Terry Funk

As noted before, legendary wrestler Terry Funk passed away on Wednesday.

WWE, AEW, All Japan Pro Wrestling, NWA, Dory Funk Jr., Ric Flair, and others from around the wrestling industry paid their tribute to the life and wrestling legacy of the late Funk.

A look back at the unforgettable career and life of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk. pic.twitter.com/FdC7gcJReF
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2023

Terry Funk Forever pic.twitter.com/EPMtZoeqrW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 23, 2023

お悔やみ

テリー・ファンクさんの訃報に接し、全日本プロレス所属選手・スタッフ一同は謹んで哀悼の意を表しご冥福をお祈りいたします。

故・テリー・ファンクさんはジャイアント馬場さんから絶大なる信頼を寄せられ全日本プロレス旗上げにご尽力いただきました。https://t.co/t7LxMf30Z8 #ajpw pic.twitter.com/9LLH74qZlq
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) August 24, 2023

The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to hear of the passing of former Worlds Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk. Our thoughts are with our fellow fans, friends and family as tonight we remember one of the greats.

Terry Funk Forever#ripterryfunk pic.twitter.com/Jbdggu6P1K
— NWA (@nwa) August 23, 2023

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Funk. Terry was one the best and most widely respected wrestlers of all-time, he will be dearly missed. We offer our sincere condolences to his fans, his friends and his family. pic.twitter.com/1gOX4iV5gC
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 23, 2023

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Funk.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to Terry's family, friends and fans.#njpw pic.twitter.com/U9mE6H9ogh
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) August 24, 2023

My Brother Terry Funk was all in with life and Loved pro wrestling and his fans- Terry has been Blessed with 2beautiful loving and supportive daughters All my Love to my brother Terry ✝️💔🙏🏻
— Dory Funk Jr. (@fuanku) August 23, 2023

In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder. Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend! Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/EYMAKOzxnx
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 23, 2023

Terry Funk is like an older brother to me and a master. Without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I freeloaded at his house for about a month, he helped me a lot. I have many memories. My deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/kH77V0n36M
— 大仁田厚 Atsushi Onita (@onitafire123) August 24, 2023

I will say more eventually. This one hits hard. RIP Terry Funk. A pleasure and honour to know you. Respect always. pic.twitter.com/psSsKFWOlR
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) August 23, 2023

NJPW President Takami Ohbari Comments on “We Cannot Stick To Outdated Ideas Of Male Only Wrestling”

Monthly Puroresu held a recent interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling President Takami Ohbari. One of the topics discussed included Ohbari’s thoughts about the growing importance of women’s wrestling in NJPW and the need to change outdated ideas and traditions revolving around male-only professional wrestling in Japan.

“Many traditions in Japanese pro-wrestling derive from professional sumo wrestling. There are no women wrestler in Japanese professional sumo. On the other hand, the ratio of men and women participants in the Olympics is almost 5:5. The world has changed and the speed of change has been exponential. We cannot stick to the outdated ideas of male-only professional wrestling. We often say that professional wrestling is a mirror reflecting the world. All wrestlers and all matches should be appreciated, and any wrestlers should be provided fair opportunities in the ring regardless of gender or anything else. If we can maximize the business value of that, then so much the better.
I think this will be realized in the US first, and then in Japan. In the last few years since STARDOM has become one of Bushiroad’s group companies, I think Japanese pro wrestling fans’ way of thinking is getting closer to a global standard. The first time we had STARDOM wrestlers participate in our Tokyo Dome show, we faced major criticism from fans and our partners in and outside the company. But now, it is taken for granted.”

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

GLEAT recently announced that KAIRI will be making an appearance for the company at their G PROWRESTLING Ver.60 -MAX VOLTAGE- event on September 20th in Tokyo, Japan.

PROGRESS Wrestling announced that International Exchange of North America (IENA) recently made a significant investment in their company.

House of Glory recently announced that The Vaudevillians (Simon Gotch & Matthew Rehwoldt) will be reuniting as a tag team and make an appearance for the company at their HOG Fallout event on September 15th in New York City, New York.

In a recent interview with the Saturday Night’s Main Event podcast, Sami Callihan gave his thoughts on his choices for a dream match opponent at Impact Wrestling’s upcoming Impact! 1000 show next month. Callihan stated “I have three. Number one, Abyss. Abyss is a guy, one of the biggest influences in my career. I’ve had some great conversations with him in the past. Me and Abyss, Monster’s Ball match in IMPACT Wrestling would have been amazing in any generation. Myself vs. Mick Foley, I know that is one that is probably never going to happen. Third is one of the guys who helped build IMPACT Wrestling, Samoa Joe. That’s a dream match for me and a lot of fans and a match that has eluded me my entire career.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

Impact recently announced one new match for their Emergence 2023 Fallout Impact! tapings on August 28th in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

Lio Rush vs. Kevin Knight

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their Crushed Up event on September 10th in Brooklyn, New York:

Rina Yamashita vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced three new matches for the card of their Destruction in Ryogoku 2023 event in Tokyo, Japan:

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – Lio Rush vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Hiromu Takahashi (c)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship – The Jetsetters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) vs. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c)
Tanga Loa vs. Chase Owens

The National Wrestling Alliance recently announced a new match for the card of their NWA 75 event on August 26-27 in St. Louis, Missouri: