Funk's Corner - Professional Wrestling and Competition

Professional wrestling is a very competitive business. To get to the top and earn the "Big Money" is extremely competitive and can leave many disappointed. So will the movies, network news-casting, Broadway, the NFL, politics and writing editorials for the New York Times.

For those who make it to the top, professional wrestling can be very rewarding. Just ask Ric Flair, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, Gene Sniski, Mickie James and others on the top of their game.

Even American Idol and Miss America only have one winner.

We can act, dance, perform or wrestle for the love of the game, but should understand making it to the top is really a tough road to go. In professional wrestling making it to the top is achievable but only by demonstrating that you can be of value to the company you would like to work for.

Strangely enough, professional wrestling at the top of the game is a giving business. It is about what you can do for the company, not what the company will do for you.

Show me someone who can demonstrate that they can draw a buck in wrestling and I will show you someone that can earn a living in the wrestling business.

Many come into professional wrestling hoping to become World Champion. In the words of Jim Ross when he was Head of Talent Relations, "I am not looking for someone who wants to be world champion, Show me someone who wants to be a part of the WWE team and I will be interested."

It is not unusual at times to feel eaten by the system. I would guess most who read this column have felt eaten by the system at one time in their lives but the answer is to pick up the pieces, have faith and go on and fight.

You will find it really is true, "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, but how you play the game."

Life is beautiful but not easy. Don't Quit.

Our next !BANG! TV Taping is Sunday July 29th. For more information on tickets to the show and training information Call 352-895-4658 or visit www.dory-funk.com.

Dory Funk Jr.

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Funk's Corner - Chris Benoit, Who is at Fault?

Funk's Corner - Chris Benoit, Who is at Fault?

The events surrounding the demise of the Benoit Family have been a terrible and confusing odyssey for all who are a part of the wrestling business. One of the most beautiful women ever to step into the ring, Nancy Sullivan Benoit also known as Woman, Her son Daniel and Her Husband, Chris Benoit are gone.

Many question that Wrestling business itself may be at fault.
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On an early misty cold morning on my Father's Flying Mare Ranch southwest of Amarillo, Texas with shotguns in hand and our limit of wild ducks, I stopped as we crossed the terrace that carried runoff water from his grass pasture to the pond just south of his house.

I said, "Dad, I would like to become a professional wrestler.

He told me two things, Dad said that professional wrestling would be great for my physical health. I could stay athletic, healthy and enjoy sports and a healthy life for a long time.

He also said it would take at least four years to even begin to learn what the wrestling business is about.
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When I got my pilot's license, Eddie Graham who was an excellent pilot flew out to Texas in a single engine Cessna 210 just to offer some encouragement and instruction.

Eddie put me in the left seat (Pilot's Seat) and told me to take the aircraft up to altitude for maneuvers. Amarillo's Tradewind Airport is at 3600 feet so for maneuvers we went to 9000 feet.

When we leveled off Eddie had me slow to maneuvering speed, drop the landing gear and extend to full flaps then pull power and release the stick and take my feet off the rudder controls.

With no hands on the controls and no power the Cessna 210 just lazily continued to fly, leaning to the left, then to the right, nose up then down but still flying.

Eddie looked at me and said, "You see, Airplanes don't kill people.

Likewise, professional wrestling doesn't kill people.

Trucks and cars don't kill people and for that matter, you could make a case that drugs don't kill people.

It is the ignorant and unwise decisions and actions of people that kill people.
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My father's predictions have come true.

professional wrestling has been great for my physical health. I have been able to stay athletic, healthy and enjoy sports and a healthy life for a long time.

I am still learning every day more about the wrestling business.

I am grateful.

Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking Conservatory - www.dory-funk.com.

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Funk's Corner - Nancy Benoit Brought Class to Professional Wrestling

The events of the past three days have been a terrible and confusing odyssey for all who are a part of the wrestling business. One of the most beautiful women ever to step into the ring, Nancy Benoit also known as Woman, Her son Daniel and Her Husband, Chris Benoit are gone and will truly be missed.

Now on our website we have exclusive photos taken by Marti Funk that show just why Nancy was considered one of the most beautiful and exciting managers in wrestling.

Nancy brought class to professional wrestling.

May peace be with Nancy, Her son Daniel and Her husband, Chris Benoit

Dory Funk Jr. - www.dory-funk.com

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Funk's Corner - In Depth Interview with Alex Marvez

Funk's Corner - In Depth Interview with Alex Marvez

From Alex Marvez - "Not only is he the second-longest reigning world champion in National Wrestling Alliance history (1969 to 1973), Dory Funk Jr. also
has helped train two other current title holders with similar status in World Wrestling Entertainment’s Adam “Edge” Copeland and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s
Kurt Angle. Funk, 65, is now trying to create a new generation of stars through his Funking Conservatory training school in Ocala, Fla."

In the interview conducted June 14, Funk talks about the Funk clan being featured on WWE’s new “Most Powerful Families in Wrestling” DVD as well as his
reflections upon 40-plus years in the wrestling business.

A copy of my Funk column through the Scripps-Howard News Service can be found at
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/24507
For more information on Funk and his Funking Conservatory, visit
www.dory-funk.com.

The transcript is posted at (
www.wrestlingobserver.com).
go to "Interviews."
*******
Alex Marvez's weekly pro wrestling column can be found in the Rocky Mountain News, Biloxi Sun-Herald, Abilene Reporter, Dothan Eagle, Boulder Daily Camera,
San Angelo Standard-Times, The Oklahoman, Wichita Falls Times Record News, Honolulu Star-Bulletin and other select newspapers and web sites that subscribe
to the Scripps-Howard News Service.

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Funk's Corner - New Florida Champion at the Funking Conservatory.

Funk's Corner - New Florida Champion at the Funking Conservatory.

Now on !BANG! TV, in a Funking Conservatory Florida Championship Match, Shane Chung defeated Johnny Magnum for the Funking Conservatory Florida Championship. In Shane Chung's corner was 5' 4, 120 pound Gail Kim. In Johnny Magnum's corner 6' 6" 315 pound Chris Carnage.

In the controversial finish, Gail Kim created havoc, first throwing a chair into the ring, creating a distraction and allowing Shane Chung to take out the 6' 6" Giant Carnage, then she performed her specialty, a flying dropkick from the top rope that cost Johnny Magnum the Florida Heavyweight Championship.

The complete match is now on !BANG! TV 24/7 at www.dory-funk.com.

Also new on !BANG! TV Blain Rage defends his !BANG! TV Championship. Blain Rage defeats Lance Alonte and Johnny Romano in a handicap match using a most unusual hurracana from the top rope causing his opponent Lance Alonte to do a Swanton Bomb on Johnny Romano and following up with a pin on both men at the same time.

The complete show, Support the Troops 16 including an appearance by Pat Patterson is now on !BANG! TV.

Last week at the Raw Taping in Tampa, Florida three Funking Conservatory wrestlers, Johnny Magnum, Blain Rage and Shane Chung had the privilege of working in the WWE ring with Jamie Noble in front of WWE Executives including The McMahon Family, John Laurinaitis, Triple H, Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson and Barry Windham.

WWE has released their most recent DVD, "The Most Powerful Families in Professional Wrestling" including The McMahon's, Funk's, Brisco's, Orton's, Guerrero's, Windham's, Gagne's, Hart's, Vachon's, Maivia/Johnson's, Rougeau's, Graham's, Hennig's, Von Erich's and The Colon's.

If you would like to become a professional wrestler and appear on !BANG! TV Call 352-895-4658. If you are between the ages of 14 through 17, have your parents call and ask about our summer time teenage programs.

For more information on our pro-wrestling training schedules and programs you can also visit www.dory-funk.com.

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Funk's Corner - New European Champion on !BANG! TV

In a three way match for the European Championship between Elvis Sharp, Kory Chavis, Flyin' Ryan "Air" Mitchell with his Valet Sandii Skye, it is only the beginning when Flyin' Ryan catches the fall and wins the European Championship with the help of Elvis Sharp.

After the match is over, Elvis Sharp takes credit for helping Flyin' Ryan get the victory then takes liberties with Flyin' Ryan's Valet, Sandii Skye.

It is all on our website on !BANG! TV. Also on our website check out our webbies section featuring the introduction of Pat Patterson and Chris "The Giant" Carnage and Elvis Sharp Exposing himself to Sandii Skye. You can also hit the party circuit with Elvis Sharp and the "!BANG!" Gang.

You can become a professional wrestler and appear on !BANG! TV with only three weeks of training at the Funking Conservatory - www.dory-funk.com. For training schedules and wrestling school information you can call 352-895-4658.

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Funk's Corner - Pat Patterson and Chris "The Giant" Carnage Now on !BANG! TV

Pat Patterson is introduced on !BANG! TV and has two choice words for the bad guys.

Also appearing on !BANG! TV for the first time is 6' 6" 320 pound Chris "The Giant" Carnage.

The first match from last Sunday's !BANG! TV Taping, Support the Troops 16, "Ultimate Struggle" is now up on our website.

In his debut on !BANG! TV, Chris "The Giant" Carnage teams with Johnny Magnum to take on Blain Rage and Scott D'Amore seconded by The Pop Tarts, Miss Vicki and Lady Kimberly and Father James Mitchell.

It is all on !BANG! TV at www.dory-funk.com.

If you would like to become a professional wrestler and appear on !BANG! TV, Call Now - 352-895-4658

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