EXETER – He’s known as The Undertaker.
It’s a name synonymous with the World Wrestling Entertainment universe. For some, he’s known as one of the greatest to ever enter the squared circle with the most famous undefeated streaks in Wrestlemania history.
For others, he’s the guy in several popular memes – including one where he suddenly “awakens” from a coffin that was ringside.
But for Bianca Pizano, Mark Calaway – The Undertaker’s real name – is more than that.
Pizano, the former Wyoming Area standout and current Michigan State field hockey player grew up around the WWE. Her father, Joe, had a college roommate at Pitt named Matt Bloom – a 6-foot-7 monster of an individual who went on to a successful career in the organization, known mostly for his role as “Prince Albert” in the ring. Today, Bloom is one of the head trainers at WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
So, how does Pizano know The Undertaker?
“The Undertaker, at Matt’s wedding, he was the only person where I wouldn’t cry if he was holding me,” she laughed, recalling the childhood memory.
Now, it’s Pizano who’s also making headlines in the sports entertainment world.
She was recently selected as a one of 12 members of the WWE’s fifth NIL class, and is the first field hockey player selected to the program.
The program – known as “Next In Line” – was established in 2021 by the WWE as a way to identify and support college athletes who desire to train as wrestlers, while providing them a clear pathway to the WWE through collaborative partnerships.
“Matt was actually in contact with me and my dad, and said that I should become part of this,” Pizano said. “They contacted me, and I went through a handful of interviews before I was selected for the NIL deal with them. Most of it was about seeing how you are as a person, really seeing what your personality is like, and seeing what kind of fit you can be.”
In addition to training at the Performance Center in Orlando, the program helps brand building, media training, communications, live event promotion, creative writing and community relations.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. If I graduate from college, and I really miss the competitive nature, that’s definitely the place I would go to,” she said.
For her, the WWE is family – especially Bloom.
“Matt always brought us around when we were kids, and we were always going to shows, meeting people backstage, and sometimes, people would even stay at our house if there was a show close by,” she said. “Even my brother, when he was in mini football, my dad would bring them to his mini football practice, and the kids would go insane.
“I always thought it was so cool. Matt was a big guy, and it was kind of intimidating at first. Being around him, you can tell how easygoing everyone was. Everyone was so personable to talk to, and super nice to be around. It was very family oriented.”
Family.
That’s the first thing that stuck out for Pizano as she began this process.
She left the interview stage with the impression they cared about her, and genuinely wanted her to succeed in her first goal of entering dental school.
A dentist as a professional wrestler? Unheard of, right?
Not quite. Just look at Dr. Britt Baker – one of the most popular female wrestlers who is practicing dentistry in Winter Park, Florida, while spending time as a professional wrestler in AEW.
“I want to go into dental school. That’s my No. 1 goal. And they said they would support me. A lot of athletes when they get out of college still want to be part of that competitive program. It’s a great combination,” Pizano said.
So, what’s next for her?
“Possibly at the end of this month or early next month, they are going to bring some of us to Orlando to the training center. I don’t know if I will be able to go because of my preseason,” Pizano said. “With them, they have a lot of opportunities for us to go to shows, go to the training center, but they work around your availability. If you are in season, that comes first. In the offseason, then, you can begin to do things associated with the WWE.”
But first, it’s about Michigan State field hockey.
In 2024 as a sophomore, Pizano appeared in all 18 games where she shared the team lead in goals with five and finished with 10 points. She was a NFHCA National Academic Squad selection and earned Big 10 Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big 10 selections.
“Last year, we improved upon the record from my freshman year and finished 8-10. This year, I hope we can have that winning record and qualify for the Big 10 Tournament,” Pizano said. “Last year, we fell one game short. I think that’s a doable goal. We had a lot of success this spring, and you could see the growth we all had.
“My freshman year, I was like this scared little freshman. I was trying hard, and playing to the best of my ability, but my confidence level has grown the most in my college career. A lot of that credit goes to my coach (Helen Knull). I have had so many meetings with her. She is the best, and will help you no matter what. During practice, she will say things to reassure me and boost my confidence. It’s grown a lot because of her, and it’s improved my game so much.”
Michigan State opens the season against Central Michigan on Aug. 17. Pizano gets the chance to return close to home in late September when the Spartans travel to Pennsylvania for a pair of weekend games, taking on Penn State on a Friday, and heading to Bucknell on a Sunday.
Other members of the WWE’s 2025 NIL class include: Oklahoma football player and wrestler Jacob Henry, son of former World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry; former Jacksonville State football player Brock Rechsteiner, son of former World Champion Scott Steiner.