WWE legend Mick Foley leads Terry Funk tributes as family give official update on wrestler’s ‘health issues’

Foley has honoured his friend Funk (Photo: WWE)

Mick Foley has led tributes to wrestling legend Terry Funk after it was reported he is battling dementia.

The WWE Hall of Famer is in an assisted living facility, and his team has released a statement on social media confirming he is suffering from ‘multiple health issues’ as they thanked fans for their support.

The statement read: ‘Yes, Mr. Funk is currently receiving residential care for his multiple health issues, which do affect his mind as well as the rest of his body.

‘As you can imagine, some days are better than others. He & his family appreciate all of your kind words! FOREVER!’

The tweet comes as the wrestling world has rallied round the pioneering icon, and Foley led the way as he hailed his friend as the best of all time.

He tweeted: ‘Terry Funk is the greatest wrestler I have ever seen. No one made it easier to believe than The Funker.’

Wrestlers around the world have been sharing photos of the veteran – whose incredible career spanned more than decades and saw him make waves in the likes of WWE and ECW – without captions as a mark of respect.

Meanwhile, WWE themselves said: ‘Few have as much fight in them as Terry Funk. Wishing all the best to the WWE Hall of Famer and his family.’

And John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield wrote: ‘People posting pics of the Texas Legend Terry Funk-idolized him and then got to tag with him and rode the roads with him-love me some Terry Funk! Wish him the best health and happiness! (sic)’

Earlier this year, Funk shared a video on Twitter asking his fans to stop sending him photos to be signed, noting he is ‘old’ and ‘tired’ after over 50 years in the business.

He said: ‘Hi, I’m Terry Funk and I’m an old man and I’m tired. And I truly, truly mean that. So please stop sending me pictures to autograph, because I’m getting lame brain – that means goofy.

‘And please, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t send anymore picture of me for me to sign. Thank you very much.’

Funk has enjoyed an incredible career, which saw him get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 after starring in promotions ranging from the National Wrestling Alliance and WCW to WWE itself and ECW.

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As well as helping innovate the hardcore death match style, he also holds a rich legacy as a technical performer, and is highly regarded by his peers.

Despite his age, he continued to work well into his 70s, and most recently teamed up with The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express members Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson in 2017.

The legendary trio defeated Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, his late son Brian Christopher – known to WWE fans as Grand Master Sexay – and ECW alumni Doug Gilbert.

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