Funking Conservatory

The Funking Conservatory is a professional wrestling school owned by Dory Funk Jr. and established in 1991.[1] It started as a six-day camp, but it later expanded to a three-week program. In 2001, it began running a professional wrestling promotion called "!Bang!" Members of the school and promotion had a chance to appear on its television show !Bang! TV.

Funking Conservatory
Founded1991
StyleAmerican professional wrestling
HeadquartersOcala, Florida[1]
Founder(s)Dory Funk Jr.
Owner(s)Dory Funk Jr.
Sister!Bang!
Funkin' Dojo

School

In 1999, while he was in semi-retirement, Dory Funk Jr. decided to open a professional wrestling camp to train professional wrestlers.[1] It had a branch affiliated with the World Wrestling Federation called the "Funkin' Dojo."[1]

The Funking Conservatory began as a six-day camp, and it teaches wrestlers how to perform promos, conditioning, and weight training.[1] They also train professional wrestling referees.[2] The school accepts students starting at 14 years old.[3] It also trains wrestlers in hardcore wrestling—focusing on safety—and includes a hardcore match in every show.[4]

It later expanded to a three-week program.[3] In 2001, it began running a professional wrestling promotion called !Bang!. Members of the school and promotion had a chance to appear on its television show, !Bang! TV. Funk's wife Marti is a producer on the show in addition to acting as the photographer, videographer, and social media director for the school.[5][2]

In 2004, the school moved to the Dory Funk Arena in Ocala, Florida.[2] It consists of a ring, sound stage, and locker rooms.[2]

!Bang! TV

The promotion's !BANG! TV television tapings are held in the Dory Funk Arena on Saturday nights.[2] Billed as "the most exciting pro-wrestling show on the air" and hosted by Dory Funk Jr., !Bang! TV transmitted weekly on WOGX TV-51, and also My65. A special one-off edition of !BANG! TV was shown on The Wrestling Channel to viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The show also transmits online via their website.

Alumni

Championships

Current
  • Funking Conservatory World Heavyweight Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Tag Team Championship
  • Funking Conservatory United States Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Florida Heavyweight Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Television Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Hardcore Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Light Heavyweight Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Women's Championship

Retired, defunct, and inactive championships
  • Funking Conservatory International Championship
  • Funking Conservatory European Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Premium Championship
  • Funking Conservatory Queen of Hardcore Championship

See also

References
  1. Molinaro, John (1999-09-21). "Funk Conservatory Dory's latest triumph". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  2. Mooneyham, Mike (2012-07-29). "Past meets future at wrestling's Funking Conservatory". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  3. Robinson, Jon (2003-10-31). "Dory Funk, Jr. Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  4. "SLAM! Wrestling Dory Funk Jr. chat". Slam Wrestling. 2001-06-26. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  5. Burton, Richard (2008-03-10). "Ex-champ Dory Funk leaves ring". Ocala Star Banner. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
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