Terry Funk talks WWE vs. AEW rivalry.
Wrestling legend Terry Funk has seen just about everything in his 50-plus years around the business. So seeing All Elite Wrestling emerge as a contender to WWE's throne isn't exactly breaking news to Funk, who has watched many promotions come at the king but eventually miss. However, Funk believes there's something different about AEW. And a lot of it has to do with the blood of a man he shared the ring with many times.
“Dusty [Rhodes] would be ecstatic watching this,” said Funk to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. “It was no easy thing for Dusty to get in the business, but he was always up for a challenge. His boys are the same way. Dusty had no fear against Vince because he was so very sharp. He knew his profession. Dusty would love everything about what his boys are doing. And they needed him to get here. I really mean this, they couldn’t have done this without Dusty. Without their father’s genes, they couldn’t be doing something so special. He also went down the road with them and taught them to respect the business. Those boys are smart, just like their pop."
The buzz surrounding AEW is in part due to the lack of buzz surrounding WWE right now. While WWE continues to make more money than ever, ratings and attendance continue to decline.
“Vince and WWE, they’re not fresh,” said Funk.“Yes, Vince does big business. They have the best talent in the world, but they have no fresh ideas. They should be selling out every arena. Vince thinks he’s fresh, he thinks he’s the best. That’s when you get knocked on your ass.”
AEW Double or Nothing has been receiving rave reviews from fans with the vast majority enjoying the show. The buzz carried over to Raw on Monday night as an "AEW" chant broke out during the show, and Sami Zayn even name-dropped the company, though it is unknown if he was scripted to do so or not.
