Mr. Rager: Using Your Anger In Wrestling

(This page was updated on 8/02/24. We've gone to great lengths to make sure it no longer sucks quite as badly as before)

(Disclaimer: This is not professional or legal advice. If it were, the article would be followed with an invoice. Do not expect to win any social media arguments by hyperlinking my articles. Chances are, we are both wrong).

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
-Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Studies show that 1 in 10 Americans struggle with managing their anger. The British Association of Anger Management says that 65% of office workers have experienced "office rage," and 45% regularly lose their temper at work. In sports, coaches often advise athletes to control their emotions. Reflecting on my not-so-impressive athletic career, I noticed a pattern: I usually performed better when I had a bit of fire in my belly. Whether I was making a powerful play on the field or pinning a wrestler who had beaten me before, channeling my anger was satisfying.

Fast-forward to 2020. I'm sitting in a chair, playing Injustice 2, a 2017 fighting game based on the DC Universe. I'm mashing buttons as a character named Atrocitus, a supervillain leader of the Red Lanterns. Atrocitus has some pretty extreme moves and one-liners like "I'll bathe in your blood!" (you know, the usual kid-friendly stuff). As I beat the final boss, Brainiac, I find myself strangely siding with this maniac.

Anger gives us energy and strength.

In comics, the Red Lantern Corps, which is powered by rage, shows how anger can fuel incredible power. Their red power rings use rage to create powerful attacks and can detect the rage in others. However, wearing a red power ring also means being driven by pure rage, acting without much thought. This is a stark contrast to using anger as a motivator, which involves recognizing and managing your anger to fuel positive actions and changes in your life.

Atrocitus, the leader of the Red Lanterns, was once a peaceful psychologist with a family. His life changed dramatically when his home was destroyed and his family was killed by malfunctioning androids. This tragic event fueled his rage and led him to form the Red Lantern Corps, an intergalactic group that enacts violence for vengeance.

​So, what does this have to do with us? Anger is one of the strongest emotions we experience and can be a powerful motivator. While unchecked anger can be harmful, especially in sports, learning to manage and channel it can be beneficial. By recognizing how anger affects your body—whether it's a tightness in your shoulders, clenched teeth, or a racing heart--you can better control it and use it positively, fostering a deeper self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Instead of letting anger take over, use it to focus on improving yourself. Whether doing extra training, setting new goals, pushing yourself harder, or even using it as a catalyst for creative expression, use that energy to make positive changes. Don't let anger go to waste. When you create and act on a plan, you can turn your anger into motivation and drive. When feeling stuck, channel your anger into action rather than letting it lead to frustration.

WORK CITED
5 Remarkably Powerful Ways to Turn Your Anger Into Success
How to Use Your Anger As a Personal Positive Force
5 Ways to Turn Your Anger Into an Advantage