WWE’s Senior Vice-President of Live Events ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James has praised the tenacity of Terry Funk, calling him “the toughest man ever made in America.”

Funk’s lengthy wrestling career began in 1965 as part of his father Dory Funk Sr.’s Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo, Texas.

Speaking about working with Funk during the Attitude Era on his ‘Oh You Didn’t Know’ podcast, James lavished praise on the legend.

“He’s the toughest man ever made in America and no matter how, how hard you hit him, he throws a left punch that you don’t, you know see a lot of. You don’t see a lot of left-handed people. So, the last thing you expect to receive from you kicking him or hitting him in the head is just a left swinging like Bradshaw’s clothesline.”

Funk, working as Chainsaw Charlie, teamed with Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) to win the WWF Tag Team Championships from the New Age Outlaws at WrestleMania 14.

Funk’s final match came in 2014 and he would retire from in-ring competition three years later.