Connecticut Political Reporter: A "Soap Opera"?

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Linda McMahon calls the WWE’s programming a “soap opera” in her latest ad, but McMahon is kidding herself if she thinks she can portray the very real impact of pervasive steroid abuse, violence-fueled programming, and abusive treatment of women- all of which she marketed to children- as an illusion. Even McMahon recently conceded that WWE programming is indeed a “reality series”- and her attempts to distract Connecticut families ring hollow for the wrestlers in harm’s way, their families, and concerned parents whose kids tune in to WWE’s ultra-violent, profit-at-any-cost programming.

WWE IS REAL FOR WRESTLERS, FAMILIES, CONCERNED PARENTS:

Wrestlers’ Violent Antics “Are Not Fake;” Put Performers in Harm’s Way. “In more physical ‘hard-core’ matches, wrestlers are smashed through tables, whacked in the head with steel chairs and punctured with barbed wire and tacks. Those antics are not fake.” [USAToday, 3/12/04]

2005 Study: Professional Wrestling Is The Most Violent Form of “Entertainment” on Television. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media found that professional wrestling was the most violent form of entertainment broadcast on television. The average wrestling telecast contained more than twice the number of violent interactions than other prime time programming. Moreover, the study found that the violent acts depicted in wrestling were far more “extreme” than those depicted in other forms of programming, with 23% of violent interactions containing more than 21 violent acts. [Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 6/1/05]

McMahon Built Fortune Promoting Content That “Specialized in Blood, Seminaked Women and Scripted Subplots Featuring Rape, Adultery and Familial Violence.” Under McMahon’s tenure at the WWE, she made her fortune “building up an entertainment business that specialized in blood, seminaked women and scripted subplots featuring rape, adultery and familial violence…” [Gail Collins OpEd, NYTimes, 5/26/10]

McMahon Marketed Steroids, Vulgarity, Sex, and Violence “All To Children.” “The business run by Mrs. McMahon and her husband tolerated steroids, dirty language, sex and violence — and marketed it all to children… Hubby Vince McMahon once got into a ring and ordered a female wrestler to disrobe, get on her knees and ‘bark like a dog.’ The couple’s yacht is named Sexy B[****]. Imagine a relatively civilized place like Connecticut sending someone so uncouth to represent it in the U.S. Senate. We cannot.” [Providence Journal, Editorial, 6/18/10]

HERE’S WHAT McMAHON CLAIMS IN HER NEWEST AD:

“I was the CEO of World Wresting Entertainment, a soap opera that entertains millions every week. And everyone gets in on the action. [Linda for Senate campaign ad, 6/24/10]

… BUT EVEN McMAHON CONCEDES THE WWE IS REAL:

“It was almost one of the first reality series, if you would… It was real people, who were a real family, having these interactions in a ring.” [“The Smackdown Candidate,” Business Week; 6/3/10]

Here's the ad:

And here are examples of the "soap opera:"

WARNING: the following clips contain stomach-churning images of wrestlers beating each other with barbed-wire-wrapped chairs, slamming opponents onto a ring covered in thumbtacks and getting thrown onto tables set on fire, simulated necrophilia, and degrading, violently abusive treatment of women and the mentally handicapped.

WWE’s Most Violent Moments: