Kane Launches His Own Insurance Company, Update on His Future with WWE and Politics

Kane and his wife have started a new insurance company in Knoxville, TN called The Jacobs Agency. They offer auto, home, motorcycle, RV, boat, life and commercial insurance, as well as retirement planning.

Kane has told people in the area that he's been planning on retiring from WWE for some time now but it's hard to walk away from the money, so he's going to continue wrestling while he can still make the big money.

There's also a feeling locally in the political world that at some point Kane would be interested in running for public office as a Libertarian party candidate.

Kane Makes Political Show Appearances

WWE star Kane recently appeared on the Econ 101 webcast and also spoke with The Libertarian Republic about a number of political issues, and you can check out his appearances in the links below.

Glenn Jacobs, (Kane) Interviewed by Austin Petersen on "The Future of Liberty"

FreedomWorks On Tap "Econ 101 with Glenn Jacobs aka Kane"

WWE's Kane teams up with politician Ron Paul

It's no secret that Glenn Jacobs, the man who has famously portrayed Kane in WWE for 16 years, is a Libertarian. It's also no secret that Jacobs and former Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul are friends.

The pair are together in public once again, this time on the "Ron Paul Channel." A preview of the 16 minute interview can be seen here: http://www.ronpaulchannel.com/video/wwe-kane-joins-the-channel/ (full access to the interview requires a subscription).

Pro wrestling and politics aren't complete strangers. On top of Jacobs and former WWE superstar Sean "Val Venis" Morley being avid Libertarians, WWE CEO Linda McMahon has run for the U.S. Senate out of Connecticut twice, and former WWE superstar and commentator Jesse Ventura was Governor of Minnesota.

source: baltimoresun.com

Linda McMahon Remains Politically Active Despite Senate Loss

She insists she isn't running for anything, but Linda McMahon is once again taking her money, clout and star power onto the campaign trail.

The Republican from Greenwich who poured $100 million into a pair of unsuccessful runs for U.S. Senate has said repeatedly that her days as a candidate are over.

Yet nine months after losing the 2012 Senate race to Democrat Chris Murphy despite an omnipresent television and direct mail marketing blitz, McMahon has quietly begun her third act in politics: as a key benefactor to the state Republican party, and a trusted adviser to its chairman, Jerry Labriola Jr.

"She's had every reason, after the outcome of her two races, to disappear, but she's done just the opposite," Labriola said. "She's been active and helpful and I know she's dedicated to our party making a strong comeback in Connecticut."

McMahon has no formal title or clearly defined position; her new role is largely playing out in private -- and through the pictures and comments that she posts on Twitter.

"She wants to work behind the scenes to make Connecticut a better place," said Labriola, who added that he often turns to her for advice.

The former CEO of WWE, the Stamford-based wrestling entertainment company, declined requests for an interview.

But one measure of McMahon's enduring celebrity -- and her generosity to the state party -- was her prime seat at the annual Prescott Bush fundraising dinner in May: She sat on the dais with other dignitaries, listening to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the event's keynote speaker. Next month, she will co-host a $100-per-person fundraiser for Republican First Selectman Timothy M. Herbst of Trumbull.

"Linda is definitely going to be a player within the Republican party," said Gary L. Rose, chairman of the department of government and politics at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and the author of a soon-to-be published book, "No Holds Barred: The 2012 Connecticut Senate race."

"Somebody with those resources, they don't just disappear into the woodwork," Rose said. "She's tasted politics and, even though things didn't really break her way, she's interested in having a voice."...More?

source: huffingtonpost.com

Kane Challenges State Official To A Debate Over Internet Sales Tax

TimesFreePress.com reports that WWE Tag Team Champion Kane has challenged Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey to a debate on the proposed internet sales tax. Ramsey supports the tax, which if implemented, would require Internet companies to charge taxes on goods sold when they are shipped to those states.

Glenn Beck Is Losing His Misguided War on Pro Wrestling

Linda McMahon Discusses Spending $100 Million, Accusations From Campaign Workers

n addition to a new blog on The Huffington Post, Linda McMahon sat down for an interview to reflect on spending $100 million on her two failed Senate campaigns.

“I thoroughly enjoyed campaigning, because I got to meet the people all across Connecticut and hear what their issues were,” McMahon told HuffPost Live host Abby Huntsman.

She also discussed accusations of campaign workers alleging non-payment.

“We had a couple of instances where things were put through that just fell through the cracks, but all that was cleared up,” she said. “It was just a question of timing and, quite frankly, some folks say they didn’t get a check. They did! We had some of those issues, but they were very, very small.”...More?

Rumor Mill - WWE Upset with Glenn Beck's Response?

Apparently WWE officials are upset about Glenn Beck turning down their invite for Monday's RAW and may be planning something to mock him on the show. Dave Meltzer reported on F4Wonline.com that things are so serious Stephanie McMahon had the WWE writing team in the offices at 12:30am on a Friday night re-doing the script for Monday's RAW.

Glenn Beck Responds To WWE Inviting Him To Raw This Monday

Glenn Beck has given TheBlaze his response to an invitation from World Wrestling Entertainment to appear on Monday Night Raw live in Dallas next week: “Unfortunately, I am currently booked doing anything else.”

Beck and the WWE have directed comments at each other over the past week after the wrestling organization introduced two Tea Party-inspired characters, “Jack Swagger” and “Zeb Colter.”...More?

WWE Invites Glenn Beck to RAW

WWE has extended an invitation to talk show host and political commentator, Glenn Beck to appear live this Monday on Raw, in response to a segment that aired on TheBlaze TV yesterday. In the segment, Beck references WWE as “stupid wrestling people,” when criticizing a recent WWE storyline involving WWE characters Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio®, Jack Swagger® and Zeb Colter®. WWE is giving Beck the opportunity to address our 14 million weekly viewers and our global fan base, as he believes we are offending our “conservative” fans with this storyline.

Similar to other television shows and feature films, WWE is in the entertainment business, creating fictional characters that serve as protagonists or antagonists. To create compelling and relevant content for our audience, it is important to incorporate current events into our storylines. WWE is creating a rivalry centered on a topical subject that has varying points of view. This storyline was developed to build the Mexican American character Del Rio into a hero given WWE’s large Latino base, which represents 20 percent of our audience.

Rumor Mill - WWE Expected To Release Wrestlers

With Linda McMahon's U.S. Senate campaign over, WWE is expected to release wrestlers from their contracts on a more regular basis. According to PWInsider.com, there are people in and out of the organization who feel officials were holding off on purging talent more frequently this year to prevent her campaign from receiving negative press since she branded herself as a job creator. It has been said that the campaign led WWE to temporarily cease cutting multiple talents in one fell swoop as it had in the past.

Interview with Triple H

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Linda McMahon Reflects on Her $97 Million Senate Bids

As the former chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon knows drama. But even she didn’t anticipate the furor over her latest bid to win a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, which she lost to Democrat Chris Murphy. It was audacious, coming just two years after losing to another Democrat in a state where only one-fifth of voters are registered Republicans. It was expensive, with McMahon personally spending $97 million on the two campaigns. And it was controversial, as McMahon ran ads that ripped her opponent while distancing herself from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. She spoke with Senior Editor Diane Brady on Nov. 8. Here are edited excerpts of their conversation.

source: businessweek.com

Video: Linda McMahon Concedes to Chris Murphy

Linda McMahon announced that she does not intend to run for a U.S. Senate seat in 2014. She was unsuccessful in two attempts.

Democrat Murphy beats GOP's McMahon in Connecticut Senate race

Rep. Chris Murphy was elected to an open Connecticut Senate seat, delivering Linda McMahon her second defeat in three years.

Murphy, who was projected to win by the Associated Press, will replace retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who sometimes sides with Democrats but is known for going his own way.

McMahon spent $50 million of her personal fortune in her failed 2010 campaign against Richard Blumenthal, and she is believed to have spent about as much this time around. Campaign finance records filed in mid-October showed that McMahon had loaned $40 million to her campaign, bringing the total to $90 million...More?

source: latimes.com

This Day In Wrestling History

During a WWE investor conference call, Vince McMahon discussed how Linda McMahon was no longer Chief Executive Officer of WWE, but was still on the board of the company, due to her plans to run for Senate. Regarding the departure of his son Shane from WWE, Vince said "The other aspect of family, because some people perceive this to be a family business, but I do not. But none the less, my son Shane, as well, has decided to pursue other opportunities in the marketplace. Nonetheless, I've mentioned before that the strength of our management team, is stronger now than it has ever been. And if your last name is McMahon or not, decisions are always made on your abilities, in terms of whatever position you hold now and/or will in the future, and be judged on your performance, not because your last name is McMahon. So, I'm pretty strong on that as well. And other than that, we will entertain questions, from everyone, and I hope there would be any number of them."
November 5, 2009

Stevie Richards Discusses His Political Aspirations, Why He Was Never A Top Star In Wrestling

Stevie Richards joined the VOC Wrestling Nation radio program and discussed his political aspirations, his view of past, present, and future government, his assessment of Superstorm/Hurricane Sandy, being held down in the WWE, and much more. Here are some highlights from the interview:

On Hurricane Sandy: "I have my own theories and opinions on how these storms come together, especially just before one of the most important elections in our history. The timing is just too convenient. I don't want to sound like a nutjob, but there was an electronic piece of equipment in Alaska that was activated the day before (the storm) turned to the northeast, and (that piece of equipment) on a scale of 1-10, was dialed to a 10+."

On Government Aid: "Without going into conspiracy theories, new world order, or any of that other stuff, just don't trust the government. Don't count on the government to be there for you. They weren't there for Katrina, and I hope that the people of New York and New Jersey aren't counting on the government to help them."

On the upcoming election: "Most people don't do their own research, they don't read, and they don't hold politicians accountable for what they say; that's why they can lie so much. A lot of evil people run the country. People know that money controls the world."

On Linda McMahon: "Here's what doesn't make sense. Why would she spend 9 figures to get a job that's going to pay her 6 figures? It doesn't make sense. She's not a politician or a statesperson like Jesse Ventura or like I will be in the future. (She's in it to lobby for her overall business interests with WWE) That's common sense."

On his aspirations for public office: "When I decide that the time is right to take that step, I will be a statesperson, not a politician. I take the time to learn about the government and what's going on in the world with my own two eyes and my own ears. I determine what I feel is true or false myself."

On politicians as puppets for corporate interest:" We do not live in a democracy, we live in a state of Corporate Fascism. I think people should investigate online. There was recently a third party debate (with candidates that are not democratic or republican) and that debate was one of the most unique, civil, and fact filled debates I've ever seen. Jesse (Ventura) is on point when he calls our system the 'Democrips' and 'Rebloodicans' because it's a 2 party gang system. It comes down to keeping people as a whole down; they want to keep everyone in a certain spot, and that's unfortunately where we're at. Whether you choose Obama or Romney, it's not going to change anytime soon."

On never getting the opportunity to be a star in wrestling: "I'm the poster child for guys that work hard and never got the opportunity (I deserved). It's a political thing. Johnny Ace says that 5% of what you do in the ring matters, and 95% of your success is what you do backstage; who you talk to and make friends with. I've never been a politics guy; I was just respectful and worked as hard as I could. For some reason, they always looked at me and said, 'you're this guy, and you're always going to be this guy.'"

source: voc nation

NY Times Predicts Linda McMahon Will Lose Senate Race, Criticized By Brian Williams

The New York Times is projecting that Linda McMahon will lose the Connecticut State Senate race to Democrat Chris Murphy.

In related news, NBC's Brian Williams criticized McMahon for not suspending her campaign advertising during Hurricane Sandy. Williams had the following to say on Nightly News:

"In this part of the country, those who do have TV are seeing attack ads from a woman named Linda McMahon who is running for Senate up in Connecticut airing like nothing had changed juxtaposed against the damage," Williams said. "It's just a very strange time."

Linda McMahon Has Spent $42.6 Million On Latest Senate Run; Brings Total To $92.6 Million

Connecticut's Republican Senate candidate, former businesswoman Linda McMahon, is coming close to matching the $50 million she spent on her unsuccessful run for Senate in 2010, new campaign finance records show.

Documents filed with the U.S. Senate and obtained Friday by The Associated Press show the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, now WWE, has spent $42.6 million. On Tuesday, she loaned her campaign $3.3 million more. Much of the money has been spent on television advertising.

McMahon spent $50 million of her own money in the 2010 race she lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal. She said afterward she wouldn't have to spend nearly as much on a second campaign because she would be better known by voters...More?

source: ap.com

McMahon campaign questions new Quinnipiac poll

Theday.com is featuring an article with quotes from Linda McMahon campaign pollster John McLaughlin who says a new poll by Quinnipiac University showing McMahon trailing by six points has "an agenda."

Quote from the story:

"In a conference call with reporters, McLaughlin claimed the poll undersampled Republicans in the state by 6 percent. "For every point you take the Republicans down, you've just taken the Republican candidate down a point," he said.

He also faulted the use of random digit dialing rather than calling voters from a registration database. With random dialing, a pollster must take a chance that a respondent is telling the truth about his or her voter registration status.

McLaughlin questioned whether Quinnipiac's pollsters overstepped and editorialized the language in their news release, garnering unflattering headlines and radio bulletins for McMahon so close to Election Day."