In a recent blog on his site, TNA star Eric Bischoff speaks his mind on Linda McMahon, dirt being spread during the campaign, and the WWE’s fight against being dragged into the political mud. Here are some excerpts from his blog, you can click on the link above for more:
“Good for Vince!
I don’t blame him for wanting to use his platform to activate WWE fans and speak out against some of the mainstream media b.s. that has been flung at Linda McMahon and the WWE.
Linda’s opponent and his surrogate campaign staffers over at MSNBC, have used their “news” format to trash a woman who has raised a family, overcome financial challenges, and helped build a billion dollar industry that is weathering the financial bon-fire that her challengers predecessor, Chris Dodd provided the lighter fluid for with his role in the disastrous bail-out debacle.
Why is it that the mainstream media are so afraid of Linda McMahon? Perhaps the same reason that they are afraid of Meg Whitman in California?
Maybe the fact that an intelligent, compassionate, and probably most frightening: successful, businesswoman who is not part of the tax and spend liberal machine is just too much for them to bear.
Can you just imagine the angst among the media elite if republicans elected not one, but two Fortune 500 type women to high political positions and they actually accomplished something their predecessors could not? It would mean republicans are actually more progressive (in the truest definition of the word) than the democrats who have adopted “Progressive” in lieu of “Liberal” this election cycle as most people now connect Liberal with Taxes.
While clearly I cannot vote for Linda McMahon, I wish her the best in the weeks to come. The State of Connecticut and the Country desperately needs more people who understand business and less lawyers.”
For those that don’t know what the “Stand Up For WWE” campaign is that Eric is referring to, here is the official WWE release:
World Wrestling Entertainment(R) is calling on WWE fans worldwide to “Stand Up For WWE” in a new viral campaign launched today on WWE.com and social networking websites, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. WWE invites fans to voice their support for the company because it has come under unfair and biased attack from certain politicians and media outlets. WWE will correct factual inaccuracies that have been reported about the company during this election season.
Videos will feature Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO, along with several WWE Superstars discussing various topics including WWE’s PG content, treatment of WWE’s full-time employees and its performers, and WWE’s Talent Health and Wellness Program. In addition, the videos will highlight WWE’s longstanding commitment to give back to communities through literacy programs, support of the military and their families, the annual “Tribute To The Troops” holiday special and the company’s more than 25 year relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“The nearly 600 full-time WWE employees, as well as its 140 Superstars, all work for one reason — to put smiles on people’s faces,” said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, WWE. “The inaccurate media reports about our company are not only an injustice but an insult to our millions of fans worldwide.”
I’m proud of Eric for continuing his stance of supporting what’s good in the wrestling world regardless of where his paychecks come from.
It’s strange when Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton were schilling for votes on RAW in 2008, I didn’t hear the DNC chiming in on what a bad thing pro wrestling was. If memory serves that’s before WWE went to TV-PG wasn’t it?
Does WWE just assume that all it’s fans are Republicans? Why would I want to help Linda McMahon win her Senate race? This is enough to turn me off WWE for good and I’ve been a loyal fan for over 20 years. Her campaign team, not the company, should be dealing with the media scrutiny. Keep ’em separate. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if the night before the election Raw is devoted to getting out the vote for Linda. Ugh.
I think your’re missing the point. The WWE isn’t advocating either side. They clearly aren’t advocating voting for Linda.
They’re defending their fans and business. Unfortunately a side effect of today’s politics is demonizing of your opponent.
Recently the Democrats have been blasting the WWE as a way to get at Linda. The WWE is only responding to criticism of them by the Democrats, they aren’t participating in the race. If Linda was being blasted by Republicans I’m sure they would have the same response to the Republicans. A company defending itself against false allegations should not be seen as putting a dog in the fight. When we can’t respond to allegations we live in a pretty bad place.
Whether you are Dem or Repub I think it should offend any wrestling fan when politicians look down their nose at this sport/entertainment.
Again please read the entire article. Eric Bischoff was endorsing Linda McMahon not the WWE. It may have blurred the issue in your eyes. Also it should be noted Bischoff was endorsing Linda as an individual, not as a TNA talent or in any official TNA Wrestling capacity.
Eric wrote “While clearly I cannot vote for Linda McMahon…” I didn’t really understand why he can’t, only way I see he’s Democrate, not Republican?
Guess I understand. He lives in other state =/
I think any flack the WWE has earned in the past was earned, but they have changed their tune. Yes Eric, a majority of MSNBC lean to the left, much like how FOX News leans to the right.
I think most people/media organizations quickly stopped bashing Linda over anything having to do with her wrestling past and now target her for spending $40 million + of her own money to try and buy the election, as Jesse Ventura put it. That and she was recently caught not knowing what the minimum wage is, wanting to lower it anyway in certain circumstances, and not even being able to answer whether any WWE employees make it.
As for her WWE past…I agree partly with Bischoff that she shouldn’t have to be held responsible for a majority of wrestlings sins. She did not push Benoit to do what he did, or force Dynamite Kid to abuse steroids. I think maybe she & Vince turned a blind eye to it before the Wellness Program but that is just my personal thought.
This is why I would not vote for Linda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqG-r2TSPk
And I think the whole Independent Contractor thing that any major company does is complete BS. I can give TNA slack for doing it because they allow their talent to still work indy shows, thus making them legit independent contractors, but WWE is completely playing the system and screwing their workers by labeling them as such yet having a Darth Vader-like grip on them. WWE is a billion dollar company and if any human being needed great company-provided insurance/benefits, it’s wrestlers.