5 bizarre times the world of professional wrestling met the world of politics
One of the most impressive things about the WWE has been its ability to ingrain itself into US popular culture over the years. Considering what wrestling looked like before the days of WrestleMania and weekly shows on cable TV, it’s staggering how such an esoteric sport has permeated the minds of so many people across the world.
Even if you’ve never watched professional wrestling before, you probably know somebody who does and can no doubt quote something you’ve heard a wrestler say just by virtue of being in proximity to it.
Professional Wrestling, and in particular the WWE, has had such an impact on US culture that it often finds itself entangled with the world of politics.
Whether the company is facing accusations of illegal practice or setting a bad example for young people, or if the McMahon family are using their business to promote their own political interests, there’s something quite incestuous about how politicians and wrestling tycoons have conducted themselves over the years. Here are 5 moments in particular where the two worlds have met in weird and wonderful ways:
#1 Linda McMahon questioned by Congress over the John Cena proposal
It’s safe to say Linda McMahon’s political aspirations have not sat well with the WWE Universe over the years. Linda is not the first example of a member of WWE going to into politics, but given she has such a central role within the industry, effectively being the ‘first lady of Wrestling’, her impact has been felt most of all.
Many fans, for example, blame her for being the reason WWE has stuck so closely to the PG rating and why characters aren’t allowed to write their own promo scripts anymore. The more the WWE sparks controversy, the more ammunition Linda’s political opponents will have to throw at her.
Now that Donald Trump is the US President, Linda’s career has taken a much more favourable turn. In late 2016, McMahon was chosen to lead Trump’s small business administration, a minor role in the cabinet but probably more than she could have hoped for under any other president, Democrat or Republican.
In a recent congressional hearing, Linda was taking questions from several congressmen and women about a range of issues, when Republican Rod Blum of Iowa decided to turn the topic of conversation towards the professional wrestling.
Blum asked why it had taken John Cena so long to propose to Nikki Bella. Of course, this was meant to be a lighthearted question which evoked some laughter and funny comments from the room. But Linda herself did not look impressed by it. Perhaps this is a further indication that no matter how hard she tries, being married to a Professional Wrestling Tycoon means she will never be taken 100% seriously as a politician, no matter who her friends are.