Monster Factory

Sharpe's first pupils included Tony Atlas, King Kong Bundy, and Bam Bam Bigelow, who Sharpe broke in at New York City nightclub Studio 54.{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Vaughn|title=The Monster Factory has its fingerprints all over the wrestling industry|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/The-Monster-Factor-has-its-fingerprints-all-over-the-wrestling-industry.html|website=Philly.com|accessdate=13 February 2015}} Some were attracted to train at the school by Bigelow's success, which made the school notable enough to attract future attendee Raven{{cite web|last1=Truitt|first1=Brandon|title=Shoot Interviews: Raven (Scott Levy)|url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/TapeReviews/shootinterviews/raven.htm|website=Kayfabe Memories|accessdate=13 February 2015}} while Tatanka would end up at the school by a chance meeting with Rogers in a video rental store.{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=David|title=Tatanka - Chapter One|url=https://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/102676.pdf|accessdate=13 February 2015}}

In February 2008, the school was threatened by a fire which had started at the building adjacent to the school, ANA Laboratories, and the building was evacuated by the school trainers. The fire was confined to the laboratory until its roof collapsed; however, according to Camden County Chief Fire Marshal Paul Hartstein, only a firewall prevented the fire from reaching the school. The school had been in the middle of drills when the fire broke out, although all the students were safely evacuated to the outside parking lot.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1201977938.shtml|title=2/2 Championship Wrestling TV and close call at Monster Factory school|author=Martin, Adam|author2=Miles, Dan|date=2008-02-02|publisher=WrestleView}}

In 2011, Danny Cage purchased the name from Larry Sharpe. Monster Factory relocated to the Paulsboro Wrestling Club in Paulsboro, New Jersey. Following the move, Cage began to supplement training with seminars featuring WWE scout Gerald Brisco, Ring of Honor lead announcer Kevin Kelly,{{cite web|title=The Monster Factory's Legacy|url=https://creativecontrolworld.wordpress.com/the-monster-factorys-legacy/|website=Creative Control World|accessdate=13 February 2015}} Ohio Valley Wrestling's Rip Rogers, Les Thatcher, as well as wrestlers Montel Vontavious Porter, Colt Cabana,{{cite web|title=Monster Factory Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/4MonsterFactory/status/421753826782113792|accessdate=13 February 2015}} Stevie Richards,{{cite web|title=Stevie Richards Wrestling Seminar and DDP Yoga Class|url=http://www.monsterfactory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Monster-Factory.pdf|website=monsterfactory.org|accessdate=13 February 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214003703/http://www.monsterfactory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Monster-Factory.pdf|archivedate=14 February 2015}} Bob Evans, Robbie E, The Powers of Pain, and Sean Waltman.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/4MonsterFactory/status/553014818941054976|website=Monster Factory Twitter|accessdate=13 February 2015 | title=The Sean Waltman seminar is on for the students of the #MonsterFactory}} The Monster Factory also conducts birthday parties and ring rentals.

The Monster Factory puts on monthly shows that feature matches from the school's students as well as established stars. In late 2013, Cage had his first pupil signed to a WWE development deal. Stephen Kupryk, known at the Monster Factory as Tommy Maclin and now as Steve Cutler, left the Monster Factory in January 2014 and made his NXT debut as Cutler in June 2014. In November 2014, Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Matt Riddle enlisted in the school.{{cite web|last1=Meltzer|first1=Dave|title=Former UFC fighter Matt Riddle thinks pro wrestling might be his 'shot to make it'|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/11/1/7141639/former-ufc-fighter-matt-riddle-thinks-pro-wrestling-might-be-his-shot|website=MMA Fighting|publisher=SB Nation|accessdate=13 February 2015}} Additionally, Monster Factory students and graduates have appeared as extras and performers on WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, WWE NXT,{{cite web|last1=Besong|first1=Alex|title=Ring of Honor Star QT Marshall Works NXT Match|url=http://www.wrestlingrumors.net/ring-of-honor-star-qt-marshall-works-nxt-match/|website=Wrestling Rumors|accessdate=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214012321/http://www.wrestlingrumors.net/ring-of-honor-star-qt-marshall-works-nxt-match/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=dead}} and Ring of Honor television{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Vaughn|title=Allentown native Ian Riccaboni chasing his wrestling dream|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/Announcer-Ian-Riccaboni-chasing-his-wrestling-dream.html#JTU5gQdWppClxFym.01|website=Philly.com}} since Cage assumed control of the school.

In March 2023, a six episode documentary series produced by Vox Media entitled Monster Factory was released by Apple TV+. The series follows the lives of Danny Cage and six of his students: Notorious Mimi, Gabby Ortiz, Goldy, Bobby Buffet, and Lucas "Twitch" DiSangro.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=John |title=‘Monster Factory’ Review: Wrestlers or Thespians? |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/monster-factory-review-wrestlers-or-thespians-89ba5912 |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} It also features appearances from Monster Factory alumni Kevin Kelly, Q. T. Marshall, D'Lo Brown and The Headbangers, as well as Mandy Leon, Anthony Bowens, and Crowbar.

The Monster Factory's graduates include:

• Danny Cage
• Missy Sampson

• Larry Sharpe (deceased)
• The Blue Meanie
• Billy Wiles
• Q. T. Marshall

• [http://www.monsterfactory.org/ Official website]

Category:1983 establishments in New Jersey

Category:Professional wrestling schools

Category:Paulsboro, New Jersey