10/30/02 Shhhh, what was that? I think I heard something. Hello, who’s there?  I feel a shiver up my spine. My reflexes jump with anticipation as I wonder what’s about to happen.

KNOCK, KNOCK! It’s the front door. I grab a weapon as I slowly open the door and to my sheer horror I hear, “TRICK OR TREAT!!!!”

Yes, my friends it’s Halloween!

Every day is Halloween in the wrestling business. The only difference is the size of the Trick or Treaters! Both large and small have the same mentality, but the wrestlers’ costumes are out of this world (Wrestling Entertainment) and are always appropriate attire.

I didn’t write to you last week because I had a serious life-altering occurrence. I had just returned from my first full tour for WWE. I KNEW there was something about the road I didn’t dig. Most people have no idea what a wrestler goes through to just MAKE the town, let alone wrestle.

There are endless lines every time they turn around, especially since 9/11. Think about this, *The wrestler drives to his hometown airport – and waits for the Park-N- Ride bus.

*He then waits in line to check his bags.*Next, he stands in line to get a boarding pass.*After he receives the boarding pass he must wait in line at security.

*Most wrestlers get the bag search or some sort of delay.

*After they get the bag back together – they wait in line to board the plane.

*The next bonus is the secondary checkpoint at the gate – 90% of the wrestlers get pulled to the side and get their bag searched again. The main reason this sucks is that wrestlers carry their gear on the plane so they’ll have it at show time. Most “work bags” are big and heavy, so it really helps to get on while there are still overhead bins available. That secondary checkpoint could very well be the straw that causes the wrestler to put his giant bag under the seat in front of him. That coupled with middle seat which negates any legroom – someone’s blood pressure tends to rise! *We all know how airplane food is….

*When they land, the wrestlers go to baggage claim and wait for their bags – of course – they wait in line.

*Now that they have their bags (hopefully), they wait in line to get on the rental car shuttle.

*They drive to the hotel to check in – and so has everyone else. They wait in line to check in.

Once they’ve checked in, hopefully they’ll relax or work out before the show. A lot of people have no idea how frustrating the travel is. We used to laugh thinking about a pro baseball or basketball player running with us for one week.

Can you imagine what a top professional athlete would say if told this was his life for the next 20 years?!?!?!?

The point to all this is that I have been at home diddling around the house for almost two years and got used to it. WWE said they’d ease me into the rotation as an agent to allow me to slowly acclimate myself to the schedule. I was happy they did because it does take a little getting used to all that flying, driving, working, and of course WAITING.

What a rib!

I have been leaving home Friday and returning Wednesday around noon as my “breaking in” period. Where did all that spare time go? I started painting our house a couple of weeks ago, right before I went to work at WWE. Notice I said started. We have a beautiful half-painted house as winter approaches.

Please don’t see this as complaining – it’s not. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to continue to work in the business I love. I’ve waited for this one last chance. I promise I’ll make the most of it.

I don’t relish the thought of all the lines and waiting, but there is one thing I must say regarding working for WWE – I CAN’T WAIT!