Dory Funk Jr.

Dory Funk Jr. is an American retired professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. The son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk, his career in professional wrestling began in January of 1963. Today, he is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional wrestling school. His students and friends participate in a wrestling show local to Ocala, Florida, called !BANG!.

Funk Jr.'s first match was a victory over Don Fargo in Amarillo, Texas. He went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969 in Tampa, Florida and remained NWA World Champion for the next four and a half years, which is the longest uninterrupted reign of any NWA World Champion. He and his brother are the only brothers in history to both hold the title.

Funk Jr. finally lost the NWA World Championship on May 24, 1973 after a hurried recovery from a pickup truck accident. He performed regularly throughout the NWA, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic, Georgia, Florida and Central States regions, through the 1970's and early 1980's. In January 1986, Funk Jr. made his WWF debut in a team alongside his brother Terry.

Funk Jr. also made an appearance as a surprise entrant in the 1996 WWE Royal Rumble match, at entrant number 8, where he was eventually eliminated by Savio Vega.

Funk Jr. is now the Coach of the Funking Conservatory Professional Wrestling School and teaches the Dory Funk Method of Professional Wrestling. Dory's students include Kurt Angle, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Lita , Mickie James, Chris Sabin, Christian Cage, Rhino, Christopher Daniels and many more of the stars of today.