How Trump's Presidency Turned WWE Politically Correct

The McMahons and The Levesques in the Oval Office

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has stunned 46 percent of the people in this photo, including the president. pic.twitter.com/GKkz0cjB5d

— Dan McQuade (@dhm) February 15, 2017

Linda McMahon sworn in to lead SBA

Former wrestling entertainment executive Linda McMahon has been sworn in to lead the Small Business Administration.

Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath to McMahon Tuesday after the Senate voted 81-19 to confirm her. The vote was a rare display of bipartisanship compared to the conflict over many of President Donald Trump's other nominees.

In attendance were Vince, Shane. his wife and children, Paul, Stephanie and their children.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Appear at Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing, Senator “Challenges” HHH to a Trip to the Gym

Linda McMahon had her Senate confirmation earlier this morning to run the Small Business Administration in President Donald Trump’s administration. As seen in the photo below, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were in attendance for the confirmation.

During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey had some fun with Triple H and Stephanie, joking that Stephanie is more intimidating than Triple H. Linda said Stephanie could give Booker a “mean hip toss”. Booker later joked that Triple H appears to be getting out of shape, and he challenged him to a trip to the Senate gym after the hearing.

Photos: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at the Inauguration and Pre-Inaugural Ball

Blumenthal, Murphy, McMahon make nice

At her Senate hearing to win confirmation as head of the Small Business Administration, World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon is to be introduced by her bitterest Democratic rivals, Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal.

“Politics can’t work if grudges never vanish,’’ Murphy said in a tweet Friday announcing he was “proud’’ to introduce McMahon at her so-far unscheduled hearing before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

McMahon visited Murphy in his Washington office Thursday, and met with Blumenthal, last week.

Murphy’s conciliatory words were a sharp contrast from the 2012 Senate campaign, when GOP candidate McMahon dismissed Murphy as an irresponsible deadbeat who missed mortgage and tax payments.

In a similar race in 2010, the guiding light of Stamford-based WWE (along with her husband, Vince McMahon) ridiculed Blumenthal as a career politician who never had to meet a payroll.

Both Murphy and Blumenthal gave as good they got. Murphy’s campaign criticized McMahon for late property tax payments on the couple’s Trump Parc condo in Stamford.

And Blumenthal slammed McMahon on WWE and its involvement in steroid abuse, glorification of violence and denigration of women.

“She has put profits ahead of people,’’ Blumenthal said.

McMahon lost both of her Senate races by 12 points after spending nearly $100 million of her wrestling fortune.

After President-elect Donald Trump picked her to head the SBA, McMahon embarked on the time-tested ritual of nominees needing to make the best presentation at confirmation hearings: visiting home-state senators to say kind words.

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Triple H Explains How UK Championship Will Work, Talks Lesnar/Goldberg Finish Criticism, Chyna in the HOF, Linda – Trump

As noted, Triple H this morning announced the formation of the WWE U.K. Championship at a press conference in London. Newsweek caught up with The Game after the presser, below are some highlights:

If WWE has discussed Chyna being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017:

"I think it's been brought up. But there's a lot of people in a long line that deserve to be in the Hall of Fame that will be in the Hall of Fame over time. That's a conversation that will happen. We'll see where it goes. But there are a lot of people and you can only put so many people in per year.

"I don't think her passing signifies any change of her accomplishments. Her accomplishments are documented and were massive in our industry. Nothing has changed. She's a part of the Hall of Fame conversation, but she would have been anyway."

Criticism over Goldberg defeating Brock Lesnar in 86 seconds at WWE Survivor Series:

"People never saw it coming. When you shock them, they're angry that you shocked them. When you don't shock them, they say it's too predictable."

If he is hoping that President-elect Donald Trump will make an appearance at WrestleMania 33:

"I have a feeling his schedule might be packed… but who knows? Never say never in the WWE."

Triple H also discussed if Linda McMahon is qualified to be in Trump's cabinet, Sasha Banks and Charlotte headlining the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, the new U.K. Championship, if it was the right call to have Lesnar lose to Goldberg and more. You can read the full interview by clicking here.

Trump picks wrestling magnate Linda McMahon to lead Small Business Administration

Donald Trump has picked Linda McMahon, co-founder of pro wrestling company WWE, to lead his Small Business Administration, his transition team said Wednesday.

The 68-year-old McMahon was a major Trump backer during his campaign.

Trump said in a statement that McMahon would help to "bring back our jobs and roll back the burdensome regulations that are hurting our middle class." The SBA has an office in every state and helps with financing and training for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

"Our small businesses are the largest source of job creation in our country," McMahon said in a statement. "I am honored to join the incredibly impressive economic team that President-elect Trump has assembled to ensure that we promote our country's small businesses and help them grow and thrive."

McMahon ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate seats in Connecticut twice in 2010 and 2012. She spent nearly $100 million on the two campaigns.

The publicly-traded WWE, which McMahon and husband Vince founded more than 30 years ago, has a market value of about $1.5 billion.

source: cnbc.com

Linda McMahon's Possible Role In Donald Trump's Administration

As noted, Linda McMahon, who donated millions for President-elect Donald Trump's campaign this year, met with Trump in Manhattan this week.

"The meeting went great," she told reporters, via The Hartford Courant. "Anytime the president-elect of the United States asks you to come in for a conversation, you're happy to do that. We talked about business and entrepreneurs and creating jobs, we had a really good conversation."

Politico reports that she is a top choice to head his Small Business Administration. She was previously considered for Secretary of Commerce, however that position was filled on Wednesday by billionaire investor Wilbur Ross.

Linda McMahon Comments on How Her Meeting Went with Donald Trump, If She Has Been Offered a Position

As noted, Linda McMahon met with Donald Trump at his New York City Trump Towers office today, and following the meeting McMahon issued the following comment to The Hartford Courant:

“The meeting went great. Anytime the president-elect of the United States asks you to come in for a conversation, you’re happy to do that. We talked about business and entrepreneurs and creating jobs, we had a really good conversation.”

When asked if she had been offered a position within the Trump administration, McMahon said “stay tuned.”

WWE Trenton Live Event Results (10/31): Styles vs Ambrose, Wyatts Help Orton Again, Ziggler vs The Miz, WWE Trenton Live Event Results 10/31/16 Trenton, New Jersey Results courtesy of PWInsider.com *WWE Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler pinned The Miz. *Jack Swagger pinned Tyler Breeze. *Apollo more

McMahon had previously been considered for Secretary of Commerce of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, however that position was filled today by billionaire investor Wilbur Ross.

Linda McMahon Considered for Secretary of Commerce

Sources close to Linda McMahon and President-elect Trump's transition team confirm the former Senate candidate is one name under consideration to become Secretary of Commerce in the new Trump administration.

McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive and two-time U.S. Senate candidate has been involved in campaigns across the country, including the presidential election. She hosted an event for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was her top choice in the Republican primary, then threw her support behind Trump, a longtime friend.

Besides attending the Republican National Convention, she's been a frequent guest at fundraisers for federal candidates, rubbing elbows with top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan. This election she was considered a Republican mega donor.

McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education starting in 2009 for just over a year before resigning when a new legal opinion by state elections officials restricted political activities by board members.

McMahon ran for a U.S. Senate seat in the 2010 general election and lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal. McMahon spent $50 million of her own money, more than any other candidate in that election, and secured 44 percent of the vote, while Blumenthal spent $8.7 million, $2.5 million of which was his own money, and secured 54 percent of the vote.

She was the 2012 Republican nominee for Connecticut’s other senate seat to replace retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman but lost again, this time to Democratic Representative Chris Murphy.

source: nbcconnecticut.com

What Donald Trump learned about politics from pro wrestling

In the 16 months between launching his campaign by calling Mexicans rapists and closing it with an ad that recalled the “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” President-elect Donald Trump broke practically every rule of politics and rejected the norms of conventional wisdom at every turn. He insulted women, Gold Star families and war heroes. He mocked the disabled and traded barbs with the pope. He lied consistently about his record and claimed that the whole election was rigged against him. In most years, any one of those actions would disqualify candidates from office and ensure their defeat.

Trump might not have been playing by the rules of politics, but he won the game. So how did he do it? Those looking to his career as a developer or reality TV host came up short in predicting Trump’s survival and eventual victory, because those are only part of the story. The most important lessons Donald Trump ever learned were in a pro wrestling ring.

Trump’s decades-long relationship with the world of pro wrestling — and its chief company, WWE, and chief mastermind, Vince McMahon — has been well-documented. He sponsored two early WrestleManias, endorsed Jesse Ventura for president at one and headlined another (he didn’t wrestle, but he did help “Stone Cold” Steve Austin shave McMahon’s head). In one storyline, he “bought” the WWE’s flagship program, “Monday Night Raw,” causing the company’s real-life stock to take a hit. He’s even in the company’s Hall of Fame.

Trump’s time in the squared circle wasn’t simply a business venture: It was a chance to commune with McMahon, with whom he shares a nearly parallel biography. Born to leaders of regional industries, both men took over their fathers’ businesses and turned them into national powerhouses. After ascending to the heights of American culture in the 1980s, they suffered setbacks — legal, financial, personal — in the ’90s before roaring back to prominence at the turn of the new millennium, with the same “You’re fired!” catchphrase, no less...More?

source: washingtonpost.com

Donald Trump Talks RNC Entrance, McMahon, WWE on Meet The Press

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sat down with Chuck Todd, moderator of “Meet the Press” on NBC, in the first network interview since the Republican National Convention. Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer, discussed his RNC entrance and the reaction from WWE Chairman and CEO Vincent Kennedy McMahon.

CHUCK TODD:

Let me tell you, you bring up Thursday night. I've got to ask you about your entrance. Before we get to Thursday, that Monday night entrance was something else. I know you’ve gotten a lot of feedback on it.

DONALD TRUMP:

I think I'm a little bit lucky, and a couple of people had that idea, and I went along with the idea. And everything just worked right. And it was so good that they wanted to do it on Thursday night. I said, “Never in a million years, because you’ll never get it that way again.”

CHUCK TODD:

I don't think I've seen that even on WWE.

DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, I know. Well, Vincent’s a good friend of mine. He called me. He said, “That was a very, very good entrance.” But I didn’t want to do it a second time, because, you know, it never works out the second time.



And yes, it has been done before...



Excerpt courtesy NBC News - “Meet The Press”

WWE wrestler Kane considering running for mayor in Knoxville

Kane is looking at a new kind of ring: the political one.

The WWE superstar, whose real name is Glenn Jacobs, is considering running as a Republican for mayor in Knoxville, Tennessee for the 2018 election.

“I think the most important thing is I care very deeply about this community, like a lot of people do,” Jacobs, 49, told WBIR.

“And that’s the only reason I would consider getting into any sort of government because I do care very deeply. And I think it’s incumbent upon people who care about the communities to try to make a difference.”

Chyna's brain to be examined for CTE damage from WWE career

The 7-foot, 300-pound wrestler made his most recent WWE appearance at WrestleMania 32 in April when he was eliminated from the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal by eventual winner Baron Corbin.

Over his 25-year wrestling career, he’s racked up 18 titles, including three-time world champion and 12-time world tag team champion.

Jacobs — whose character is the brother of WWE legend The Undertaker — was also the third man to win the WWE Grand Slam.

“I could live anywhere, but the reason I live in Knoxville is that I love it here – I love East Tennessee,” Jacobs said.

“I love the people. I think they have great values and I think they have common sense. And for me, the political philosophy should reflect that – to keep Knox County a great place to live and a great place to raise a family.”

WWE star Adam Rose arrested for domestic violence in Florida

As a small business owner — he and his wife, Crystal, own Jacobs Insurance Associates — Jacobs said he would work within the constraints of the budget and keep county taxes low.

“What I’ve seen in Knox County the past several years is that taxes have remained low because it’s a great place to live. People move here and that helps expands the tax base,” he told WBIR.

“My political philosophy is the ‘smaller the better.’ Government should stay out of the way and let free enterprise do what it does best.”

Jacobs has some competition already, according to the TV station, including Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas, Knox County GOP chairman Buddy Burkhardt, County Commissioner Brad Anders and state GOP Chairman Ryan Haynes.

Linda McMahon Among Trump Delegates to GOP Convention

The Hartford Courant reports that Linda McMahon will be in Cleveland as a delegate for the GOP Convention in July. All delegates and alternates were selected by Donald Trump's campaign and formally accepted by the Republican State Central Committee on Monday.

Linda McMahon Talks Chyna's Passing On FOX Business

Linda McMahon appeared on FOX Business this morning, as seen in the video above.

During the interview, Linda discussed helping women in the workplace, issues affecting voters in Connecticut and the 2016 Presidential race, calling Ted Cruz and John Kasich coordinating their efforts to deny Donald Trump the Republican nomination a "collusion." Linda also talked about WWE dropping the terms Divas, saying that by dropping the term, it shows that women wrestlers are equal to their male counterparts and that Stephanie McMahon was behind that effort. She also discussed Chyna's passing, calling it a "loss" and saying that she'll be missed.

"It's always a loss when you've had someone that's come up in the ranks like Joanie [Laurer]," Linda said. "She was kind of in the forefront of the women's power position in WWE, so she'll be missed."

How Much Money Did The McMahons Donate To The Donald J. Trump Foundation?

The Stamford Patch has an article about how Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon were the largest donors to The Donald J. Trump Foundation from 2004 to 2014.

The McMahon family donated $5 million to the charity named after the WWE Hall of Famer and US Presidential candidate. Trump himself did not give any money to his foundation from 2009 to 2014.

Katie Couric Speaks with Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon About The 2016 Presidential Race, Trump, Clinton, And Women In Leadership Roles

Linda McMahon recently spoke with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric, talking about the 2016 Presidential race, Donald Trump, her future as a politician, Hulk Hogan, and much more. You can view the full interview here.

Linda McMahon comments on her family’s relationship with Donald Trump:

“He was a great partner, a wonderful promoter. He really greased the wheels and made things work very easily… he was fun. We got to know him personally. He is very loyal, he’s a patriot. I think he hires smart people around him, all of the people that we ever dealt with were just really smart and efficient and really good at what they did – very gracious, made you feel welcome and really did exactly what he said he would do.”

Would Linda run for office again?

“I have no absolutely no plans to ever run for office. I ran twice, I gave it everything I had two times. It wasn’t meant to be in Connecticut for a Republican to win, it is a very, very blue state. I gave it all I had, I really wanted to win but didn’t.”

What WWE fans represent about the 2016 electorate:

“The persona of Donald Trump has resonated with them. Maybe their business isn’t growing, maybe they have kids who are graduating who can’t get jobs. All of those things that you hear I think resonate not only with some WWE fans, but across really the specter.”

Linda comments on Gawker’s release of Hogan’s sex tape:

“I don’t think anyone had the right, you know, to take his private tape and put it out. I thought Gawker was wrong, you know, to do that.”

Hogan’s interest in coming back to the WWE:

“I think you never say never at WWE, but I wouldn’t speak on behalf of anyone there.”

Linda McMahon still looms large over GOP politics

Linda McMahon had about 97 million reasons to be done with politics.

The financial hit of back-to-back defeats for the U.S. Senate hasn't suppressed the professional wrestling matriarch's appetite for the Republican brand, however.

In fact, it appears to have strengthened it, with McMahon commanding VIP invites to GOP conclaves from Wyoming to New Hampshire with other rainmakers to be wooed by the party's crop of presidential hopefuls.

Federal filings show McMahon has given more than $3 million to Republican candidates and organizations since her last run in 2012, including $700,000 to Karl Rove's American Crossroads super PAC and $100,000 to an Iowa political fund that helped combat veteran and proud pig castrater Joni Ernst get elected to the Senate.

McMahon, 66, is still behaving in many ways like a candidate, Tweeting photos from her regular speaking engagements at women's entrepreneurial events and charity appearances.

All of this begs the question: What's in it for McMahon?

"Some of the rest of these activities hint at someone who might not be ready to give up on the idea of electoral politics," said Vincent Moscardelli, an assistant political science professor at the University of Connecticut.

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Vince and Linda McMahon Named As Republican Mega-Donors

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and his wife Linda McMahon have been named as Republican mega-donors according public finance records acquired by The Washington Times.

The McMahons have given around $1 million to Republican candidates, party committees and super PACs this year, including Karl Rove’s American Crossroads and TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts’ group Ending Spending.

The donations for the most part have been made in Linda’s name. Before Linda’s run for Senate, the McMahons donated only around $30,000 in 2006 and 2008.