And the beat(ing) goes on.

It was with great trepidation that I headed over to sports-central.org and read an article that was suggested to me by a loyal reader of SF. Before I pointed my browser there, I already knew from the title – “Let’s Keep WWE Contained in a Wrestling Ring” – that this was going to be a slap in the face of the Business and it’s fans. As I read it, I kept wondering based on it’s date – April 1st – if this was some form of joke. And while it’s apparent from reading more of his “work” that this person believes they are humorous, Mark Chalifoux comes off as yet another person who has something against an entertainment millions of people enjoy. Yes Mark, millions – and worldwide, not just in the USA.

Let’s set a few things on the record here, Mark. How about a gander at the Demographics of Pro Wrestling?

Well, looks like a cross section of the population to me – but of course, I am probably just one of your basement dwellers, right? Wait a moment – if 47% of Pro Wrestling viewers are married – do their spouses live in the basement with them? Are the over 49% who make more than Minimum Wage living there? No?

So it comes down to that 35.2% who indicate they either Rent or have some other arrangement that would be your issue. After all, 64.8% own their own house, so we know THEY don’t reside in a basement. Pray tell – does that 35% indicate only basement dwellers?

Frankly, those who watch Pro Wrestling in general, and the WWE in specific cannot be quantified or identified in simple terms. yes, there are those who match your description (Just not as many as you imply), but also includes (Just from people I personally know and associate with) Psychologists, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers – and yes, Politicians.

Aside from that, your article goes on to take swipes at the Business of Pro Wrestling in general, and the McMahon family in specific. Let’s break down what you write.

Libel perhaps?

“Someone who has built a life from dressing grown men in spandex, feeding them steroids like they were Everlasting Gobstoppers, and then parading them around a ring.”

The highlighted part is actionable, sir. As I am certain you are aware, Vince McMahon WAS put on trial in 1994 and was acquitted on charges that he was doing that very thing. That you decide to state this in print is strange considering that the WWE and the McMahon’s are quite protective of their image(s).

Due to that trial, Linda McMahon was made CEO/President of the company – and began to learn the very things that make her a credible candidate for Senate.

Silliness?

“I’m not even saying professional wrestlers can’t be in politics; heck, it worked for Jesse Ventura. I would even support Irwin R. Schyster in a campaign for local comptroller. I’m just saying anyone with the last name McMahon can’t be in politics. Every politician has skeletons in their closet. Unlike McMahon, most of them aren’t available on YouTube.”

Jesse Ventura did a good job; heck, he was elected over members of both national parties, spending far less to do so. That was the first glimmer that it didn’t take PACs to get elected, and not being tied to them, he was free to do things that needed to be done.

However, your distaste seems to stem simply from the name McMahon I see. Did you know that Linda studied Business Administration, and has a Teaching certification? So, she’s educated, that can’t be your issue. She successfully ran a company, including taking the whole thing Public. So, that she knows how to handle Finances or make decisions can’t be the problem. She’s appeared on various WWE shows over the years, acting a part that had her name and likeness, but that was NOT the real Linda McMahon. Thing is, politics seems to have other Actors who have run (and won) positions. For a small list:

• Fred Grandy, who played ‘Gopher” on The Love Boat. (Congress)
• Fred Thompson, who has appeared in numerous things – and even acted while IN Congress. (Congress)
• Sonny Bono, Actor and Musician. (Mayor, Palm Springs)
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor (Governor of California)
• Ronald Reagan, Actor (Governor of California, 2 term President of the United States)

So it obviously can’t be because she appeared on TV as a character using her name, can it? After all, look at the above list of people, all who serve(d) with distinction and efficiency despite their beginnings. Unless you happen to think Reagan playing The Gipper or Arnold playing the Terminator made them bad candidates as well…

Maybe it was this:

“We have enough problems in this country as it is. Electing leaders from the professional wrestling world will only make things worse.”

I find this to be one of the most ill informed comments I have ever read, and shows your bias in a clear light.

After all, the problems with this country couldn’t have come FROM electing the so called “professional” politicians who seem to have their hands firmly in the pockets of any PAC that will throw them cash – could it?

What a horrible notion, electing someone who has assisted in taking a company that was making barely enough to keep them out of bankruptcy – and turning it into a Billion dollar + per year enterprise. It’s a terrible idea to elect someone who knows how to balance the ledgers instead of someone who thinks the way to solve problems is to increase taxes or allow the Country to go further in debt. It’s shameful to even think that she may be a good candidate – despite the fact she’s self-financing her candidacy, which means she owes NO PAC a ‘favor’ for their help.

It’s no wonder the world is in such a state. When elitists like Mr. Chalifoux decide to spread their dislike and vitriol simply because they are either ill-informed or outright biased, they invariably get others to tout their message as if it were gospel.

Get a clue Mark. Many of the same people who watch “true” sports like the NFL, NBA or MLB also watch the WWE and Pro Wrestling. They enjoy it, and unlike your (Seeming) inability to separate Fact from Fiction, they ‘get’ that what they are watching is the same as any Movie or Sitcom.

That Linda McMahon was involved in that world is not what should be examined – her ability, passion and dedication to serving should.