Wrestling with Politics

Hogan's Presidential Announcement
Monday Nitro, November 9, 1998

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Linda McMahon is making a second run for the U.S. Senate on this Election Day (November 6, 2012).  I'll be curious to see what will happen in the WWE if Mrs. McMahon ends up winning the seat.  We all know Jesse Ventura was the first wrestler to become governor (he won the race in Minnesota in 1998), and through the years he's hinted at a run for the Oval Office.

"Monica" & Hulk

A week after Ventura was elected to his state's highest office, WCW and Hulk Hogan pulled one of the lamest publicity stunts in the history of the company.  Hogan announced his plans to run for President of the United States.  The company went so far as to hire a Monica Lewinsky look-a-like to present Hogan with a cigar.  This was during the final days of the scandal with Lewinsky and then President Bill Clinton.

The segment ended with Scott Hall turning on fellow nWo members Eric Bischoff and Hogan.  He was  saved by Kevin Nash as Hollywood choked out Hall with a feather boa.  Thankfully the presidential idea didn't last long.

President Backlund?
Photo courtesy: WWE

This was nothing new though, as in 1995, Bob Backlund had announced aspirations for the White House as well when he was in the WWF.  I don't remember that angle really going anywhere either or having much of a point.

But the point of this blog, if you haven't voted yet, do it.  Polls are still open for a few hours if you are reading this on November 6.  Ha.