{{short description|Professional wrestling school}} {{Infobox wrestling promotion |name = Funking Conservatory |image = |acronym = |established = 1991 |style = American professional wrestling |location = Ocala, Florida<ref name=triumph/> |founder = Dory Funk Jr. |owner = Dory Funk Jr. |parent = |sister = !Bang! <br>Funkin' Dojo |formerly = |merged = |}}
The '''Funking Conservatory''' is a professional wrestling school owned by Dory Funk Jr. and established in 1991.<ref name=triumph/> 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.<ref name=triumph>{{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}}</ref> It had a branch affiliated with the World Wrestling Federation called the "Funkin' Dojo."<ref name=triumph/>
The Funking Conservatory began as a six-day camp, and it teaches wrestlers how to perform promos, conditioning, and weight training.<ref name=triumph/> They also train professional wrestling referees.<ref name=pandc/> The school accepts students starting at 14 years old.<ref name=ign>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=ign/> 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.<ref name=ocala>{{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}}</ref><ref name=pandc>{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120729/PC20/120729225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913080411/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120729/PC20/120729225|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2014|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}}</ref>
In 2004, the school moved to the Dory Funk Arena in Ocala, Florida.<ref name=pandc/> It consists of a ring, sound stage, and locker rooms.<ref name=pandc/>
==''!Bang! TV''== The promotion's ''!BANG! TV'' television tapings are held in the Dory Funk Arena on Saturday nights.<ref name=pandc/> 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== *List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States
==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 Category:Professional wrestling schools Category:American organizations established in 1999