| Funking Conservatory | |
| Established: | 1991 |
| Style: | American professional wrestling |
| Location: | Ocala, Florida |
| Founder: | Dory Funk Jr. |
| Owner: | Dory Funk Jr. |
| Sister: | !Bang! Funkin' Dojo |
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.
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. The school accepts students starting at 14 years old.[2] 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.[2] 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.[3] [4]
In 2004, the school moved to the Dory Funk Arena in Ocala, Florida.[4] It consists of a ring, sound stage, and locker rooms.[4]
The promotion's !BANG! TV television tapings are held in the Dory Funk Arena on Saturday nights.[4] 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.