As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1960s and early 1970s, “professional wrestling” was a staple of my TV diet. Wrestler Bruno Samartino, a Pittsburgh native, was a regular on the radio and in TV commercials and he became an iconic figure due in large part to “Chilly Billy” Cardill.
Cardill, a local TV personality, hosted “Chiller Theatre” and “Studio Wrestling” on the NBC affiliate. “Chiller Theatre” was a Saturday night program showing cheesy horror movies. A cast of characters was usually on hand to add flavor and Samartino was often amongst them. Hype is hype. “Studio Wrestling” (the name was a big tip-off) pitted “professional wrestlers” against each other. Old Polish ladies throwing pierogies into the ring added a certain je ne sais quoi.
My one and only experience with “professional wrestling” was in the early ’80s. My best friend convinced me to attend a match at the local arena. It was mayhem. I think I know what the atmosphere at the Coliseum was like when Christians were snack food for the lions. The lady sitting next to me screamed and pounded on me the whole night. The arthritis in my left elbow is probably attributable to her.
So, you see, I’m looking forward to viewing “The Wrestler.” This film has been dubbed Mickey Rourke’s “comeback.” After “Diner” and “Barfly,” Rourke’s career took a nose dive as he wrestled with personal demons and the fickleness of Hollywood. Here today, get lost tomorrow.
Director Dahren Aronofsky, recently interviewed on “Fresh Air,” spoke of his affection for Rourke and how hard he worked with the actor to get him to give his best, efforts that apparently paid off given the reviews and nominations.
Aronofsky told of speaking with a man who was crying as he left a particular screening. Identifying himself as a pastor, he said his emotions swelled because the movie reminded him so much of his church. Stuck in the past and trying to relive the glory days, Rourke’s character and his church both wrestle with their past and are trying to come to terms with their present.
As I listened I recalled many of my own churches. Having worked in congregations of all sizes (almost all of them in transition), I grieve at how many times good and wonderful people get stuck in the past of “the glory days.”
It’s my conviction that God wants our churches to be forward-looking, but when you’re in the corner taking body slams (membership loss, lack of identity, controversy) it’s difficult to think about or look into the future. Avoiding pain is a survival tactic.
The inspiration “The Wrestler” offers is that THIS (however bad or foreboding THIS is) does not have to be the end. Our future is determined by our present. Or as Carly Simon sang, “These are the good old days.” What will you make of them?
The Rev. Doug Gebhard is interim pastor of John Calvin Presbyterian Church.