Yesterday at Hartford's XL Center , WWE presented it's "Fan Appreciate Day" to a jam-packed crowd of 15,000 loud and loyal fans. This show which featured wrestling stars from RAW and Smackdown could be considered a suped-up 'house show', as it was not televised. The thing that fans (and critics) of WWE will take from this event is not an acclaimed 5 star match or a the beginnigs of a feud for next month's Survivor Series Pay Per View.
The political undertone of this event was really clear with former WWE C.E.O Linda McMahon running as a Republican for Senate in Conneticut and a final campaign push being made before voting begins on Tuesday.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon spoke to the crowd and boasted about the recent positve PR campaign, "Stand Up for WWE" and pushed fans to wear WWE merachandise when they go to vote on Tuesday. You can watch Vince's speech from the event in the video linked on the left side of this page
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“Some people may think I’m out here to talk about politics. Nothing can be further from the truth. Although, I do encourage you to vote this Tuesday. While you’re voting, feel free to wear a WWE T-shirt,” said McMahon., making reference to his recent victorious court battle with the Conneticut State election officials. He went to thank the company's fans for their support and how they stood up against "elitists" and "politicians" who have attacked the company.
Earlier this week, the always outspoken McMahon filed a federal lawsuit to stop a supposed order by Secratary of State Susan Bysiewicz to have election workers in Conneticut , stop voters from wearing WWE apparel when they enter the voting centers next Tuesday. Bysiewicz made a poor misguided move here as her fellow Democrat and McMahon's opponent in the Senate race, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal would have to defend her office if the case went to court. Blumenthal whose been using Linda's connection to WWE and it's controversial content in his campaign, recused himself from the case and a federal judge ruled in favor of Vince. Bysiewicz's office has claimed their was no direct order to keep voters wearing WWE apparel from voting, but that they felt the WWE logo was an "overtly partisan"symbol. Conneticut state law mandates that there be no campaigning within 75 feet of any polling place.
The story grabbed national media attention from both liberal and conservative outlets. It has also put yet another politcal spotlight on Linda McMahon's former employer,WWE during this high profile campaign season. Vince McMahon has a history of fighting opposition to his company, and this just gave him opportunity to present his company as the 'underdog', while passive aggressivley bringing negative attention to his wife's political foes. And many in the media called the lawsuit and "Stand Up" campaign a ridiculous 'tag team' with Linda McMahon's campaign for Senate.
The liberal blog site, Wonkette turned the whole story into a joke. And did not seem to pleased when they said "Vince McMahon won his frivolous lawsuit. Yippee, feel free to dress up as “The Ass Demolisher” or whatever those silly WWE spandex men are called! " Is this "elietists" that McMahon was talking about in his trump speech ? You can read the whole article:Connecticut Voters Allowed To Dress Like Idiots At the Polls
Well if you do want to dress like an "idiot" as the Wonkette put it, WWE is helping out. The company made a bold announcement this week after court victory, that wil be giving away from merchandise to fans near the polling places in CT on Tuesday. Walkiing the fine line, the announcement specifies the merchandise will not be given out within 75 feet of the polling places.Read the whole statement here
It's unclear if all of this 'standing up' for WWE is going to turn into votes for Linda McMahon. As of of Thursday, McMahon currently trails Blumnethal by 8 points in some polls. Is this effort by Vince and Co. going to get Linda the Senate seat or she going to lose because of it? Post your response in the comment box below.
PWINSIDER.COMis reporting that WWE has signed Shaul Guerrero, the daughter of WWE Hal of Famer Eddie Guerrero and current WWE performer Vickie Guerrero. Shaul reportedly signed a developmental deal and will soon report to WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. Shaul is 20 years old.
It will be interesting if one day we get to see the mother and daughter team of Vickie and Shaul working together on WWE TV.
Do you think the IMMORTAL faction can revolutionize TNA ?
Hulk Hogan took to Twitter yet again last night to post another video that could be considered an in-character promo about the current situation in TNA Wrestling.
Hogan says in the video posted on the left side of this page, "if you don't draw money, you don't belong here" and that they are getting rid of "fake wrestlers". Hogan ends the video cryptically speaking to TNA President Dixie Carter , saying "we're going full blown evil on your a##!"
The current storyline within TNA with Hogan and Bischoff's Immortal faction running rough shot and Hogan trying to forced Carter out of the company is not doing gangbuster business. Still the ratings have been returning on Thursday's IMPACT to where they were before the failed attempt on Monday nights head to head with WWE RAW.
WWEsuperstar The Undertaker was in attendance atUFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquezlast night along with his wife, WWE women's wrestlerMichelle McCool. An interesting moment came after Lesnar was KO'd by challengerCain Velasquez. The multiple-time WWE Champion was being interviewed by MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani when Lesnar walked right by him. Undertaker asked Lesnar, "Do you want to do it?" Brock kept walking, not acknowledging his former rival. When asked about the brief exchange, Undertaker admitted that it was personal but wouldn't go into specifics. Dana White addressed the exchange later in an interview with Helwani, saying he didn't know about the exchange, but felt that any exchange was probably because they were friends. You can watch the full exchange below, followed by White's response.
(CNN) -- Republicans lashed out Friday after the Connecticut secretary of state said poll workers would have the right to ask voters wearing World Wrestling Entertainment merchandise to cover up because it could be considered campaigning.
Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon left her job as chief executive of WWE to run for office. And a spokesman for Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz said McMahon is so closely associated with the organization that wrestling garb could easily be construed as political advertising.
"It's not that much of an inconvenience in the few minutes that you're voting that you don't serve as an advertisement for somebody'spolitical campaign," said Av Harris, a spokesman for Bysiewicz.
Campaigning within 75 feet of polling places places is illegal under Connecticut law.
State Republicans reacted angrily to the news, releasing a statement entitled: "Bysiewicz Loses Mind; Clothing Ban Has No Merit."
"There is nothing to suggest that any other clothing, where it's promoting NASCAR, a brewery or a college, should inhibit or inconvenience someone from casting their vote. And Bysiewicz knows at outright ban would be challenged quickly in the courts and overturned," the statement said.
"On what grounds does Bysiewicz base this ridiculous act of voter intimidation?" asked Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy.
The WWE also weighed in.
"Denying our fans the right to vote, denying them their First Amendment rights, regardless if they are Democrat, Republican or Independent, is un-American, unconstitutional and blatantly discriminatory," said Vince McMahon, chairman and chief executive of WWE. He is Linda McMahon's husband.
Linda McMahon is competing against longtime Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for the right to returning Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd's seat. Dodd, who was first elected to the Senate in 1980, announced earlier this year he would not seek another term in office.
Blumenthal maintains a double-digit lead over McMahon, according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University earlier this month.
For many generations, families around the world have enjoyed WWE. Unfortunately,
as a result of recent political events, some of the media have unfairly and inaccurately criticized the company. Therefore, we are calling on the WWE Universe to speak out and "Stand Up for WWE.
ByDavid Edwards Sunday, October 10th, 2010 -- 1:15 pm
Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon is happy that World Wrestling Entertainment has toned down its often-risque tone, but she supports her company's First Amendment rights in the face of criticism from women's groups.
Speaking to ABC's Christiane Amanpour, McMahon wouldn't condemn an act where her husbandordered a womanto "bark like a dog."
Asked if, as a senator, she would campaign against that sort of portrayal of women, McMahon responded, "I do believe in the First Amendment rights."
"So you don't think there's anything wrong with it," asserted Amanpour.
"Well, content providers are clearly creating scenarios from an entertainment point of view. I think you either elect to go to a movie or elect to watch a program so I'm a strong proponent of First Amendment rights. At the same time at WWE, women really are powerful women, and the programming content as I said has changed from TV-14 to TV-PG. It's -- I much prefer it today," said McMahon.
Batista was on hand for the the Strikeforce fighs last night in San Jose,California. In a video interview from mmaprime.tv, the former WWE Champion spoke candidly about meeting with Strikeforce officials and working on setting up his first MMA fight with promotion. In the video, Batista elaborates on his continued fight training with the respected Cesar Gracie and how he uses his experience of taking punishment in Pro Wrestling into his MMA game. You can watch the interview at the bottom of this page.
Rumors are running rampant still about a possible MMA bout pitting Batista against fellow WWE alum, Bobby Lashley whose currently signed with Strikeforce. There is no word on whether that fight will happen or not and Batista has yet to confirm a his first fight.
