The Undertaker

Like most non-adolescent boys, I have no more than a passing interest in professional wrestling.?I’m vaguely aware it’s out there, but that’s about it.

Back in the nineties, however, it was a different story – I followed professional wrestling pretty closely.

I knew who all the top players were – Hulk Hogan, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bobby “I can kill you just by looking at you” Monroe, to name just a few. (I may have made up that last one, but it’s certainly plausible.)

I knew when they were competing and who was favored to win.

Was this because I was still an adolescent boy in the nineties? Not by a long shot, but thank you for at least wondering.

No, it’s because in the nineties, I worked for the cable company (sorry) and “Pay Per View” wrestling was a big money-maker. Part of my job was knowing who these behemoths were and promoting the events to the adolescent boys among us.

Which is why it caught my eye when I?read this week?that?one of the stars of that era?–?“The Undertaker”?–?was, “having difficulties accepting retirement.”

That’s correct. He of the infamous and much-feared “Tombstone Piledriver,” a man whose professional moniker suggested a close relationship with death, was?struggling with the fact that his long-held identity was itself dead?and he was no longer driving piles, tombstone-related or otherwise.

As he put it (real name, Mark Calaway),?“… everyone always expected me to be Undertaker, and I’d always expected to be. I knew it was gonna come one day, but I really didn’t, you know?”

Yeah, I know.

In fact, as I contemplate moving on to my own next adventure at some point, I’m only beginning to realize?how much “who I am” is wrapped up in the work I’ve been doing for the past 25 years.

It’s Not Just Your Daily Schedule That Will Change

When I talk to people who are retired or thinking about it (which these days is many of the people I talk to),?the conversation is almost entirely about?activity:

“I’m going to volunteer in my community.”

“I’m looking forward to playing a lot of golf.”

“I plan to spend more time pile-driving my grandchildren.”

Nothing wrong with any of that. For most people, retirement means a drastic change in activity and this may be the first time in your life you’ve got time, health, and money all at once.

But, as Mr. The Undertaker points out,?those conversations ignore one important element:?Who?are you going to be??(Or whom, if you are currently an English teacher.)

You’ve spent the last 20, 30, 40+ years telling people you are an attorney, doctor, teacher, business owner, whatever. And now you’re a … ??

Even if you hated every minute of your old occupation,?you were a something – with a clearly defined identity that you and everyone else understood.

What’s the Solution?

Well, as I suspect I will be saying often here, I really don’t know – I’m trying to ponder all this now, before my time actually arrives.

But I’ve realized one thing for sure:?the transition from who I used to be to whatever I become next is likely to be uncomfortable, at least for a little while.?

You can’t spend decades forging an identity and expect to move beyond that in one quick easy step.

Even The Undertaker, it seems, isn’t entirely comfortable with the hereafter.

Discussion Questions:

1. What would your professional wrestling nickname be?
2. Have you ever driven a pile? Explain.
3. Are you retired?

Share your answers below…

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