7 Times WWE Actually Did Something Classy

2. When They Did The 26 Bell Salute For Sandy Hook

Most of the time it is preferable for WWE to keep politics out of their product. Like pretty much all uber-rich white Americans, the McMahons are notoriously right-wing in their politics, and can alienate people at the drop of the hat while trying to be respectful (like that time Stephanie compared the 9/11 attacks to her dad being put on trial for supplying steroids). And unfortunately, nothing is more sickeningly political in the USA than gun violence. With gun-nuts and militant lunatics exploiting tragedies for their own political ends, paying respects to those lost in a tragedy has become a political minefield to be avoided at all costs. But WWE is a Connecticut institution. They started there, they are still based there, and the McMahons have even run for office there. Connecticut is entwined with WWE like Hollywood is entwined with Southern California, so when the most horrific mass shooting imaginable occurred in a Connecticut Elementary School, it was inevitable that WWE would have to make some respectful acknowledgement to their neighbours. The question was always going to be how they could do this without muddying it up with their own political affiliations to the insane orgy of firearms that is the Republican party. Ringing the bell 26 times €“ once for each victim of the massacre €“ was a dignified, beautiful, and moving tribute to members of their community who were going through a kind of grief that we can€™t even imagine. Somehow, against all the odds, WWE managed to acknowledge the brutality and the unfathomable tragedy with a kind of dignity that many political figures couldn€™t come close to matching. It was tasteful, it was sad, it was mercifully brief - and it was incredibly moving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFBNBB59TKI