10 Worst Wrestling Publicity Stunts

They may be the two greatest exports of Ancient Greece, but unlike their modern counterparts (feta and olives), wrestling and politics really shouldn't mix.

(Cheap plug: they really shouldn't, as I detailed extensively in Issue 4 of our lovely magazine.)

When they do, undignified debacles such as the 'Stand Up for WWE' campaign occur.

During Linda McMahon's first failed run for senate in 2010, political opponents were less than shy about using her association with the often tawdry WWE as ammunition against her campaign. The smear wasn't necessarily fair - Reagan wasn't belittled for the actions of his film characters, afterall - but it was inevitable. Not to mention hilarious. As a result, the WWE's name - and reputation - faced repeated bashing in a far less niche forum than the internet wrestling community.

Vince knew he wasn't permitted to use his platform to electioneer on his wife's behalf, but equally he couldn't just stand by and see his company tarnished by association. So he came up with the perfect solution to circumvent both issues: 'Stand up for WWE'.

Ostensibly, the campaign aimed to inspire fans to express their passion for the product, in effect a vocal rebuttal to all the mudslinging. Simultaneously, and sneakily, by indirectly focusing on Linda's bid, 'Stand up for WWE' could tacitly rally in her favour.

Ironically, the scheme exacerbated the problem. Quite aside from saving WWE's name being shielded from apparent slander, the campaign was criticised for its thinly-veiled motives. In the end, the company suffered further embarrassment, and even better, Linda lost spectacularly. Stand up comedy.