Dory Funk Senior

Dory Funk Sr. was a legendary figure in professional wrestling, best known for his role as a promoter of the **Amarillo territory** in West Texas. Under his leadership, the Amarillo territory, also known as **Western States Sports**, became one of the most respected and influential territories in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

### **Early Life and Wrestling Career**

Dory Funk Sr. was born in 1919 in Hammond, Indiana. He initially pursued a career in football, playing as a guard for the Indiana Hoosiers in college. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he turned to professional wrestling, debuting in the late 1940s. His rugged style and legitimate toughness quickly earned him a reputation as a credible and formidable competitor. Funk wrestled across various territories in the Midwest and South, gaining experience and respect.

### **Establishment of the Amarillo Territory**

The Amarillo territory was originally founded by **Dory Detton** in 1946. Detton promoted wrestling in West Texas, focusing on cities like Amarillo, Lubbock, El Paso, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, by the early 1950s, Detton faced challenges in maintaining the territory’s profitability and managing its operations.

In **1955**, Dory Funk Sr. purchased the Amarillo territory from Detton. Funk Sr., already a well-known wrestler, had a strong vision for the territory’s growth and development. He believed that West Texas, with its wide-open spaces and cowboy culture, had untapped potential as a wrestling hotbed. Funk Sr. moved his family to Amarillo and began promoting shows across the region, setting the stage for the territory's success.

### **Growth of the Amarillo Territory**

Under Dory Funk Sr.'s leadership, the Amarillo territory experienced steady growth. Funk Sr. had a sharp mind for booking and promoting wrestling, and he utilized his connections within the NWA to bring top talent to West Texas. He developed a reputation for being a tough but fair promoter who cared about his wrestlers and the integrity of the business.

One of Funk's key strategies was to focus on localizing the wrestling product. He cultivated local stars and made sure that fans could identify with the wrestlers they were seeing. Funk Sr. also maintained a grueling schedule, running shows across a wide range of towns in West Texas and New Mexico, including Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, Abilene, and Albuquerque. This approach created a deep fan base and a loyal following for the promotion.

The Amarillo territory was known for its rough, hard-hitting style of wrestling, which appealed to the blue-collar audience of West Texas. Dory Funk Sr. himself was often the main event attraction, working as both a face (hero) and a heel (villain) depending on the situation. His reputation as a tough, no-nonsense competitor helped to establish the territory's identity and credibility.

### **Partnership with Karl Sarpolis**

Funk Sr. partnered with **Karl Sarpolis**, a promoter and chiropractor with deep roots in the wrestling business. Sarpolis brought financial stability and additional managerial experience to the Amarillo promotion. Together, Funk Sr. and Sarpolis worked to ensure the territory was profitable, well-managed, and operated within the NWA framework.

Their partnership allowed them to bring in top NWA talent from other territories, giving the Amarillo promotion access to some of the biggest names in wrestling. This also enabled Amarillo to host NWA World Heavyweight Championship matches, which were a major draw for local audiences.

### **The Funk Wrestling Dynasty**

Dory Funk Sr. and his wife Dorothy had two sons, **Dory Funk Jr.** and **Terry Funk**, both of whom would become legends in professional wrestling. Funk Sr. trained his sons from a young age, teaching them the fundamentals of wrestling and the importance of discipline and hard work. By the 1960s, both Dory Jr. and Terry were active wrestlers in the Amarillo territory, quickly becoming fan favorites.

In **1969**, Dory Funk Jr. won the **NWA World Heavyweight Championship**, defeating **Gene Kiniski**. His title reign brought significant prestige to the Amarillo territory, as Dory Jr. defended the belt in front of local audiences, giving them the unique opportunity to see the world's top champion in their own backyard. Terry Funk would later follow in his brother's footsteps, winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in **1975**. The success of both Funk sons solidified the family's legacy in the wrestling business and brought further attention to the Amarillo territory.

### **Training and Talent Development**

Dory Funk Sr. was also known for his role as a trainer and developer of wrestling talent. Many wrestlers got their start in the Amarillo territory under his tutelage. His training methods emphasized conditioning, technical proficiency, and ring psychology. Some of the notable names who passed through Amarillo and went on to achieve national or international fame include:

- **Stan Hansen**

- **Bruiser Brody**

- **Dick Murdoch**

- **Ted DiBiase**

- **Tully Blanchard**

- **Dusty Rhodes**

Funk Sr.'s approach to training was hands-on, and he was known for pushing his trainees hard, instilling in them a deep respect for the business and its traditions.

### **Challenges and Decline of the Territory**

By the late 1970s, the wrestling landscape began to change. The territorial system faced new challenges due to the rise of cable television and the emergence of national promotions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). These changes put financial pressure on smaller, regional promotions like Amarillo, which relied heavily on local audiences and live gate receipts.

Dory Funk Sr. continued to promote wrestling in Amarillo but began to slow down due to age and declining health. In **1973**, Funk Sr. decided to sell the Amarillo territory to his sons, **Dory Jr.** and **Terry Funk**, along with their partner **Nick Roberts**. However, the changing business environment and competition from larger promotions made it difficult for the territory to sustain its previous level of success.

### **Passing and Legacy**

Dory Funk Sr. passed away in **1973** due to a heart attack. His death marked the end of an era for the Amarillo territory. His sons continued to promote wrestling in West Texas, but the territory eventually closed down in **1981** when they sold it to **Blackjack Mulligan**. Without the strong leadership and vision of Dory Funk Sr., the Amarillo territory could not survive in the rapidly evolving wrestling world.

### **Impact on Professional Wrestling**

Dory Funk Sr. left an indelible mark on professional wrestling, particularly in West Texas. He was a key figure in the NWA and played a significant role in developing and promoting wrestling talent. His influence extended far beyond the Amarillo territory; his sons, Dory Jr. and Terry, became global wrestling icons and carried on their father's legacy by contributing to the business as wrestlers, trainers, and promoters.

The Amarillo territory is remembered as a hub for some of the toughest and most skilled wrestlers in the business. Dory Funk Sr.'s commitment to the sport, his innovative promotional techniques, and his dedication to developing new talent helped make Amarillo a respected name in wrestling history. The Funk family name continues to be synonymous with professional wrestling excellence.