Wrestle Book Review: Review: More Than Just Hardcore By Terry Funk

More Than Just Hardcore
Terry Funk with Scott E. Williams. Mick Foley (Foreword)
Sports Publishing, 2005
Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

For over 60 years, Terry Funk was everywhere in the wrestling industry. While a small number of people can make that claim, no other can boast a run in the NWA as World Champion, stints the WWF at the height of both the Hulkamania and the Attitude eras, time with ECW as a Hardcore Legend, a career long status as one of Japan's most successful American competitors and many smaller stops in between. Funk, who was spent his career evolving his style without changing his persona, is considered by many who study the sport to be one of the best of all around performers of all time. As Mick Foley says in his foreword, "I can't accurately say who the best of all time is, but I can say without hesitation that Terry Funk is the greatest wrestler I have ever seen." Apart from his legendary wrestling career, Funk has also had some success as a character actor and stunt co-ordinator in such films as Road House and Paradise Alley.
The son of a promoter, Funk was born into the industry and penned More Than Just Hardcore a little over 60 years later just as his legendary career had begun to wind down.

A character in a business filled with characters, Funk pulls no punches in this candid book that details over a half century in the professional wrestling industry. Whereas so many pro-wrestling autobiographies are written by people in a much earlier stage of their lives and careers, Funk writes his as he is entering his (to date, final) retirement. Like his career, Funk's book touches on so many important people, places and events that it is mind boggling that one person could have done as much as he did. Funk's story is interesting, humorous, at times prophetic, and is a very entertaining read that provides an extremely unique perspective on the professional wrestling industry.

At times, Funk's story has a tendency to veer off into tangents. He is not shy about giving an opinion or telling a story or two about a person / event in his career in the midst of making a point. At times, these digressions break up the narrative's flow, however, they are an invaluable gold mine of memories and opinions from one who has spent a lifetime in the industry and has - arguably - accomplished more than anyone else. More Than Just Hardcore is a great read for most wrestling fans. Some people not familiar with pro wrestling or newer fans may be a bit overwhelmed by the wealth of information within. The vast majority of readers will thoroughly enjoy Funk's recollections of one of the industry's most storied careers.

04/15 Note: I really enjoyed re-reading this book. I am somewhat reluctantly standing by my original 4 Star rating (from 2010) however, if any book has made me want to institute a 1/2 star policy, it is this one. Consider it the best 4 star book on the market.