When the Cauliflower Alley club reunites for the annual reunion in 2005 in Las Vegas. There will be several "celebrations" going on. Cauliflower Alley Club will celebrate it's 40th anniversary and Las Vegas will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Fewer people know, thought, that there is one other 40th anniversary to celebrate.  2005 will mark 40 years of in ring wrestling by the 2005 Iron Mike award recipient, Terry Funk. Terry's official debut came in 1965, when he challanged and defeated Sputnik Monroe in his home town of Amarillo, Texas. Within four years of his debut, Terry was near the top of his game. In the early 70's Terry and brother Dory Jr. wrestled mainly throughout the south and were regulars in the state of Texas.

In December of 1975 Terry received the Christmas present of a life time. That present was a 60 minute best two out of three falls match with the National Wrestling Alliance world champion, Jack Brisco. The end result? Terry became the new National Wrestling Alliance world champion.  26 territories and nearly two years later, Terry was still the NWA champion, having defeated the likes of Jack and Jerry Brisco, Harley Race and even his own brother Dory Funk Jr. Eventually, in June of 1977, Terry lost the title to Harley Race in Toronto.

Terry had many great matches throughout the 80's. Perhaps his most famous was the "empty arena" match in Memphis with Jerry Lawler. Although Terry never won the USWA unified championship belt, he still gave it his all in Memphis. Without knowing it at the time, these matches would surge Terry's career into the "hardcore" style he would become known for later in his career.  In 1985 Terry had a short run with Hulk Hogan in WWF. Terry also had a good running feud with the late Junkyard Dog. In 1989 Terry arrived in WCW and had one person on his mind....Ric Flair. His first televised meeting with Flair put Flair on the receiving end of a piledriver on a table. Funk and Flair had a long run of classic matches throughout their feud.

The 90's saw Terry and Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) take hardcore to a new level. Japan has never been the same....

I have only mentioned some of the wrestling side of Terry Funk. But also remember, Terry has been in many motion pictures including "Over The Top", "Roadhouse" and "Beyond the mat" just to name a few. He has been very charitable to many causes. Terry has definitely earned the title of "legend" in this sport. Terry is still to this day recognized by fans and total strangers in airports, bars, driving down the road etc. The CAC has strict stipulations regarding accomplishments in order to be honored with the Iron Mike Award, and Terry has met them all. From a fan that hated you with a passion who is now a referee in this business and respects you tremendously, I would simply like to say, "Thank you, Terry, for the years!" 

"You earned your award and it was our privilege to watch you!"