September 4, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Deaths of Terry Funk & Bray Wyatt, AEW All In recap
One of the most tragic two-day periods for the pro wrestling industry took place last week, with the death of Terry Funk on 8/23 and the death of Windham Rotunda aka Bray Wyatt the next day.
Funk, who I would call the greatest instinctive pro wrestler who ever laced up boots, was 79.
Funk had been in declining health. His family kept secret about his condition for the most part and what his ailment was, but some of those closest to him were aware that he went into hospice care a few months ago. He had been in assisted living prior to that. It was known at the time that he didn’t have much time left to live.
He had been battling dementia for some time, and it had gotten worse in recent months.
He had been in poor health ever since surgery for a hernia in 2016. He had been told by the doctor to rest in bed for two weeks after the surgery. But he had promised Tommy Dreamer that he would appear at some shows for Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion later that week.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.