WHAT IS THE DORY FUNK METHOD OF PRO WRESTLING
- 02/02/2007 (11:11:58 am)
- Dory Funk, Jr
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Funk's Corner - What is The Dory Funk Method of Professional Wrestling?
It is a professional wrestling training style developed by myself, based on my life and the people that have influenced my career.
As a kid I watched as my Father, Dory Funk Sr. fought epic battles at the Amarillo Sports Arena with Frankie Hill Murdoch, Wayne Martin, Killer Joe Christie, Gory Guerrerro and Roger Mackey.
As a kid, Dad defended the wrestling business when lecherous drunks tried to get me to tell off on the wrestling business and admit that wrestling was fake.
Growing up, I was told how the wrestling business provided our family with a good living and it was my responsibility to defend the wrestling business.
As a teenager, Dad told me that if I wanted to become a professional wrestler, that my brother and myself would have to make a name for ourselves in amateur athletics. I did through wrestling, football, basketball, swimming, and diving all while finishing my college studies earning a degree in Speech, Radio / Television and Physical Education from West Texas State University before turning to professional wrestling.
It was mandatory that I take pride in professional wrestling and defend the honor of the athletes in the business.
Professional wrestlers were big and strong. It seemed they most always had long hair at a time when most adult men conformed to a close trim up the back of the neck. I tried to wear my hair like professional wrestlers wore their hair and ran into resistance from my teachers.
Professional wrestling was an athletic performance that required endurance and athletic coordination. Professional wrestling was good for those participating.
As a college student, I trained with the best amateur wrestlers in the business including Verne Gagne, Joe Scarpello, Bob Geigel and my Father, Dory Funk Sr.
Valuable experience came to me in my first year as a professional wrestler facing superstars like Verne Gagne, Fritz Von Erich, Gene Kiniski, Pat O'Connor, Sonny Myers and Lou Thesz.
With a desire to "Make it" in the wrestling business outside the influence of my famous Father, Dory Funk Sr. I traveled to Vancouver BC, St. Louis and the Dallas Territory. I am now proud to say I never escaped the influence of my Father.
Traveling to Australia on two occasions I gained experience working for Jim Barnett facing wrestlers like Ray Stevens, Dominic Denucci and Big Tex McKinzie.
On February 11, 1969 my life changed forever when I won the NWA World Championship. During my four and a half years as NWA World Champion, I wrestled all the great wrestlers of the time traveling between thirty wrestling territories. The opponents I faced included, Wahoo McDaniels, John Valentine, Bobo Brazil, Bill Watts, Black Jack Mulligan, Jack Brisco, King Curtice Iaukea, Mill Mascares, Chauvo Guerrero, Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba, Billy Robinson, Whitey Caldwell, Lonnie Mayne, Mr. Wrestling I, Tim Woods and Mr. Wrestling II Johnny Walker.
In 1972, I developed the training program for wrestlers from All Japan Pro-wrestling. Some of the training superstars were Jumbo Tsuruta, Tendru, Jun Akiyama Taiyo Kea and Taka Michinoku.
In 1997, at the request of Jim Ross, I created a training program for WWE in the form of the WWE Funking Dojo that produced such outstanding wrestling stars as Kurt Angle, Test, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Christian Cage, Rhino, Paul London and Christopher Daniels.
In 1999 Marti and I moved the pro wrestling training to Ocala, Florida. The Funking Conservatory wrestling school is proud of the achievements of our alumni Lita, Mickie James, the Claw, Chris Sabin, Paul London, Blain Rage, Silvan Granier, Brent Dail, Johnny Magnum, Chris "Bambi Killer" Raaber and the baddest of them all, Gene Sniski.
The Funking Conservatory Wrestling School has been located here in Ocala, Florida for the past 9 years.
With this experience in the wrestling business, My wife, Marti and I have developed the most productive program in the world for training professional wrestlers. This program is coed. It is built around three principles, Safety, Television and In Ring Performance.
The "Dory Funk Method of Professional Wrestling" is taught exclusively at the Funking Conservatory.
If you would like to learn under the Dory Funk Method of professional wrestling visit our website at www.dory-funk.com or call now - 352-895-4658
TNA's Head Agent, Scott D'Amore and Gail Kim will be at the Funking Conservatory's !BANG! TV Taping Sunday February 25th. If you would like to train at the Funking Conservatory and appear on the show or For ticket information call the number above or visit our website listed above.
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