Kevin Kellam
October 31st, 2010 2:39 am ETYesterday 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.
The Pro Wrestling Examiner will continue to cover this story as we get closer to Tuesday. For more political news and opinion on this story check out Political Buzz Examiner Ryan Witt and Hartford Conservative Examiner John Talleos
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