10 Most Cringeworthy Political Angles In WWE History

3. Stand Up For WWE

Sgt Slaughter
WWE.com

Linda McMahon’s political career was a huge reason for WWE’s shift to a PG rating. When Linda entered politics, she was routinely criticised for the company’s crude, violent, and sexually suggestive programming, and if she was to be elected, it was clear that WWE had to quell these complaints. Going PG in 2008 was the first step, and “Stand Up For WWE” was the second.

This was the McMahon family’s attempt at portraying WWE as a squeaky clean, benevolent organisation throughout Linda’s senate campaign. From 2010 to 2012, WWE did all they could to try and make people forget that Katie Vick, Mick Foley falling from Hell In A Cell, and Kane attaching Shane McMahon’s testicles to a car battery ever happened.

WWE superstars would feature in regular PR vignettes promoting the company as a kind, well-meaning organisation. They spent a great deal of time trying to rope their fans into the cause and encouraging them to speak-out against the ongoing media backlash, but it didn’t work. Stand Up For WWE was an arrogant, self-congratulatory mess, and it did little to improve the company’s public perception.

As for Linda McMahon’s political career? It died a death in 2012. She ran as a Republican candidate for the US Senate in both 2010 and 2012, but lost with 43% of the vote on both occasions. The campaigns cost a combined total of over $90 million, prompting Linda to leave the political arena.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.