:Funking Conservatory#!Bang! TV
{{short description|Professional wrestling school}}
{{Infobox wrestling promotion
|name = Funking Conservatory
|image =
|acronym =
|established = 1991
|style = American professional wrestling
|location = Ocala, Florida
|founder = Dory Funk Jr.
|owner = Dory Funk Jr.
|parent =
|sister = !Bang!
Funkin' Dojo
|formerly =
|merged =
|}}
The Funking Conservatory is a professional wrestling school owned by Dory Funk Jr. and established in 1991. 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.
School
In 1999, while he was in semi-retirement, Dory Funk Jr. decided to open a professional wrestling camp to train professional wrestlers.{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/09/21/funk-conservatory-dorys-latest-triumph/|title=Funk Conservatory Dory's latest triumph|author=Molinaro, John|publisher=Slam Wrestling|access-date=2014-09-11|date=1999-09-21}} It had a branch affiliated with the World Wrestling Federation called the "Funkin' Dojo."
The Funking Conservatory began as a six-day camp, and it teaches wrestlers how to perform promos, conditioning, and weight training. They also train professional wrestling referees. The school accepts students starting at 14 years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/01/dory-funk-jr-interview|title=Dory Funk, Jr. Interview|author=Robinson, Jon|publisher=IGN|access-date=2014-09-12|date=2003-10-31}} It also trains wrestlers in hardcore wrestling—focusing on safety—and includes a hardcore match in every show.
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. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocala.com/article/20080310/SPORTS/803100325|title=Ex-champ Dory Funk leaves ring|author=Burton, Richard|publisher=Ocala Star Banner|access-date=2014-09-12|date=2008-03-10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120729/PC20/120729225|author=Mooneyham, Mike|title=Past meets future at wrestling’s Funking Conservatory|publisher=The Post and Courier|access-date=2014-09-12|date=2012-07-29}}
In 2004, the school moved to the Dory Funk Arena in Ocala, Florida. It consists of a ring, sound stage, and locker rooms.
''!Bang! TV''
The promotion's !BANG! TV television tapings are held in the Dory Funk Arena on Saturday nights. 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.
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
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.dory-funk.com/ !Bang! website]
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}
Category:Independent professional wrestling promotions based in Florida