What’s the story?
Vader recently posted a tweet that made it seem like he was retiring from professional wrestling. However, he later clarified that he didn’t intend to hang up his boots.
In case you didn’t know...
Last November, Vader announced that his doctor diagnosed him with congestive heart failure due to his professional football and wrestling careers. Two other heart doctors later gave him two years to live.
The heart of the matter
Vader has been quick to correct anyone on Twitter for false reporting, and ever since the initial tweet, a slew of articles have proclaimed the former WCW Champion’s retirement from wrestling. For example, the tweet below from doesn’t even tag Vader, but he found it and made it clear that he still intends to wrestle.
In the months since he revealed his condition, he has also been combative on Twitter to those who think he shouldn’t be wrestling considering his diagnosis. During an interview with the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, Vader stated that he would like to die in the ring.
What’s next?
Vader is scheduled to appear at Harley Race’s World League Wrestling on June 17th in Troy, Missouri. He is not advertised to wrestle at the show, but he will appear as a special guest.
Author’s take
This is such a tricky situation. I can’t tell a man how to live his life, but getting in the wrestling ring given everything the doctors have said just doesn’t sound like a good idea.
At the same time, pro wrestling could be all that Vader has, and that is how he wants to spend his remaining years living. You can’t fault him for that, but it sure is chilling when Vader says he would like to die in the ring.
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