British politics and American wrestling are more similar than people think

The 1980s – the Conservative Party have become the dominant force in British politics. By concentrating all their resources on their key demographic – the wealthy middle class – they cultivated a devoted following. They gave their supporters exactly what they wanted and set out to crush anyone who opposed them. Led by a fearless tyrant who nevertheless tried to cultivate a authoritative but friendly persona – they were ruthless and gained the rewards of that ruthlessness. Hated by large sections of the population but never enough to shake their status as number one. Their Labour opposition was riddled with in fighting and therefore utterly unable to mount any sort of challenge or shed their old fashioned image.

The 1980s - the WWF have become the dominant force in American wrestling. By concentrating all their resources on their key demographic – the kids seeking the next big trend – they cultivated a devoted following. They gave their supporters exactly what they wanted and set out to crush anyone who opposed them. Led by a fearless tyrant who nevertheless tried to cultivate a authoritative but friendly persona – they were ruthless and gained the rewards of that ruthlessness. Hated by large sections of the population but never enough to shake their status as number one. Their NWA opposition was riddled with in fighting and therefore utterly unable to mount any sort of challenge or shed their old fashioned image.

The 1990s – The Tories are hit by a series of scandals and their popularity is in free fall. Narrowly surviving a general election, they find themselves fundamentally damaged. Unable to find anyone to follow in Mrs Thatcher’s footsteps, the party limps along with ever diminishing popularity while their rivals gain unity and strength. Finally, in 1997 the Labour Party gain the upper hand with their New Labour idea and the Conservatives face possible oblivion. Though Labour disappoint their core supporters with their Conservative style policies, the general public make it clear they prefer New Labour to anything the left or the right have offered of late.

The 1990s – The WWF are hit by a series of scandals and their popularity is in free fall. Narrowly surviving a federal investigation, they find themselves fundamentally damaged. Unable to find anyone to follow in Hulk Hogan’s footsteps, the company limps along with ever diminishing popularity while their rivals gain unity and strength. Finally, in 1996 WCW gain the upper hand with their New World Order idea and the WWF faces possible oblivion. Though WCW disappoint their core supporters with their WWF style story lines, the general public make it clear they prefer New World Order to anything the WWF or WCW have offered of late.

Now we have to switch sides to keep the comparison going but the comparison remains valid.

The 2000s – With no opposition left, the Labour party have free reign to do anything they like. Their popularity is falling week by week, their problems are mounting and their leader is looking older all the time. It is only a matter of time before one of the scandals or one of the fistfuls of mud sticks. Jobs for the leader’s friends, low morale and a lack of innovation are hurting them long term. Although it’s unlikely that the Howard led Conservative Party could pose much of a challenge, the way Labour are going they may collapse under the weight of their own ego and the Tories would become the government by default.

The 2000s – With no opposition left, WWE have free reign to do anything they like. Their popularity is falling week by week, their problems are mounting and their leader is looking older all the time. It is only a matter of time before one of the scandals or one of the fistfuls of mud sticks. Jobs for the leader’s children, low morale and a lack of innovation are hurting them long term. Although it’s unlikely that the Jarrett led NWA:TNA could pose much of a challenge, the way WWE are going they may collapse under the weight of their own ego and the NWA would become the number one company by default

The case is overwhelming. Hold up a mirror to politics and you see men in tights craving praise from the public. Hold up a mirror to wrestling and you find men in suits making shady deals and slowly waking up to the idea that competition fires people up and everyone wins while the good times roll.

But when they get what they want – total victory – they soon find that they are losers and the people are losers just as much as the vanquished foe are losers.

7th November 2003