| Founded | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Style | American professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | Ocala, Florida[1] |
| Founder | Dory Funk Jr. |
| Owner | Dory Funk Jr. |
| Sister | !Bang! Funkin' Dojo |
TheFunking Conservatory is aprofessional wrestling school owned byDory 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 aprofessional wrestling promotion called "!Bang!" Members of the school and promotion had a chance to appear on its television show!Bang! TV.
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 theWorld Wrestling Federation called the "Funkin' Dojo."[1]
The Funking Conservatory began as a six-day camp, and it teaches wrestlers how to performpromos, conditioning, andweight training.[1] They also train professional wrestling referees.[2] The school accepts students starting at 14 years old.[3] It also trains wrestlers inhardcore wrestling—focusing on safety—and includes a hardcore match in every show.
It later expanded to a three-week program.[3] In 2001, it began running aprofessional 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.[4][2]
In 2004, the school moved to the Dory Funk Arena inOcala, Florida.[2] It consists of a ring, sound stage, and locker rooms.[2]
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 onWOGX TV-51, and alsoMy65. A special one-off edition of!BANG! TV was shown onThe Wrestling Channel to viewers in theUnited Kingdom andIreland. The show also transmits online via their website.
