Dolph Ziggler recently spoke with FOX Business host Kennedy of “Kennedy Nation” to talk politics and pro wrestling. Ziggler will be covering the upcoming Republican National Convention for the program. Below are highlights from their interview:
From your perspective, how is this race like pro wrestling?
The great stories in this election are what make it like WWE and what make WWE a global phenomenon. There are so many characters that everyone can relate to. It’s not like 20, 30, 40 years ago and it was us vs. Russia, like the Cold War with good vs. evil, now everyone can relate to someone, there are so many shades of grey. Little kids who get picked on and bullied can relate to the Lucha Dragons who are smaller, but they’re quick and exciting and never give up. Someone fed up with their boss can relate to Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose or myself.
In the same way, someone who would normally see typical politicians now has Donald Trump who relates to normal people or wrestling fans. In the beginning when he was a new, non-establishment candidate, wrestlers and friends and people not even interested in politics took notice of this outsider. As the election moved on, as he became the frontrunner, his own party seemed to continually pull the rug out from under him. That happens to people at work all the time when they’re passed over for a promotion, and it happens to wrestlers in story lines with “The Authority” — that’s Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. They are the boss of the show. They constantly reiterate they know “what’s best for business,” they’re the antagonists who want a champion who fits the proper mold and will carry out their will, ensuring success for WWE.
Much like the often villainously portrayed GOP, they think they know what’s best for business, better than the American people and for the most part come out on top by justifying their involvement for the greater good. Bernie Sanders is comparable to Daniel Bryan of a year ago, once again another outsider gaining momentum where it seemed an apparent heir to the throne was already decided, which would be like Hillary.
Who is the Donald Trump of the WWE?
I mean, it’s obviously The New Day. They have been around in different and entertaining ways over the years, with ups and downs, and now the perfect storm has come together. Timing is everything! The world is ready for something new and fresh, and they are on fire. They say what they want, the have knee-jerk reactions to topical events (like the Steph Curry 2 Mall Walkers) and The New Day has caught fire. They used to get on people’s nerves, but now crowds cheer for them. They have vowed to make WWE great again, and they stand for a new era of sports entertainment. They are all about positivity, and whichever side you are on you’ll tune in to see them do their thing. The Donald is the unicorn of modern politics, and The New Day wear unicorn horns on their heads. They also have outlandish hairstyles that defy gravity and logic, and Donald…well, I guess that’s where the similarities end.
Who’s Hillary in this equation?
John Cena is the face of our company, the obvious front runner. Even though several different Bernies have attempted to overthrow the Hillary, after all the arguing and stunts, Hillary is still the nominee just like Cena is still the face of WWE.
If this were WrestleMania, how would it end?
It could end sending everyone home happy with an entirely new lease on life and a new champion is crowned, and you look forward to the upcoming year. OR it ends in controversy and you can’t wait to tune in to see how they’re going to top it. We’ll have to wait a few more days to see how things shake out in Cleveland and Philadelphia, but it’s obvious presidential politics will continue to mimic pro-wrestling in an historic year filled with pageantry, rivalries and the strangest race in history. We’ll all be pinned to our TVs in disbelief trying to figure out who gets the belt and how this madness finally ends.
