How WWE Is Helping In The War on Masculinity
Traditional masculinity is under attack.
Countless studies and polls suggest America needs to leave masculinity in the past with cavemen, guillotines, and pagers. One study says masculine men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with COVID; this male feminist writer believes all masculinity is toxic; this author subtlely says toxic masculinity fuels male Trump voters.
Meanwhile, China and Africa are taking steps to promote masculinity among their young male populations.
Who can save American masculinity?
The red-headed stepchild of the sports world is already fighting the good fight.
Professional wrestling is often viewed as hoky entertainment for children. However, most of its viewing audience is in the male 18-49 age bracket. In television, this is called a key demographic. This group is desirable among advertisers because they are likely to spend the most money on products and services. Also, per WWE, 40% of its viewing audience is female.
WWE is, by far, the most-watched pro wrestling product in the States. The company gets many high-profile advertisers sponsoring their shows. Their biggest show, WrestleMania, is sponsored by Snickers this year. With so much visibility and numerous corporate partnerships, WWE has helped shape mainstream discourse.
In 2014, the company launched its own standalone over-the-top streaming service, WWE Network. Netflix was already an established streaming service by then. Still, many eyes were on the WWE Network because they would stream their events, bypassing the old pay-per-view model. Since the WWE Network launched, services such as Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock (which WWE Network is merging with) have emerged.
The characters of the WWE have also shaped mainstream media. The owner himself, Vince McMahon, exudes masculinity. Even at the ripe age of 75, he is still squatting 1,000 pounds. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock probably had more of a role in shaping young men in the '90s and early 2000s than many fathers did. These were tough, rugged, and stylish (in The Rock's case) men who were the epitome of masculinity in an era that appreciated it. Kurt Angle, a real-life Olympic gold medalist and proud American hero, was wildly popular with audiences for his wrestling ability and patriotism when it was cool to be patriotic. His on-screen character lived by the three I's: Integrity, Intensity, Intelligence.
Although times have changed, much has stayed the same among WWE characters.
One of WWE's top champions is Roman Reigns, a man who could have a thriving career in Hollywood if he wanted it. He has a made-for-big-screen look, the acting chops (much of pro wrestling is acting), and family in the business (he is the real-life cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).
On WWE television, he is a man of few words but decisive actions. His latest moniker is the "Head of the Table." He holds himself, and himself alone, as the sole provider for his family. His decision-making will determine the trajectory of his bloodline for generations. Whether you agree with his methods or not, family always comes first.
If Roman is a man of few words, then Bobby Lashley is a man of fewer words. A former mixed martial arts fighter and born into a military family, Lashley is another of WWE's current champions. His physique, his menacing scowl, and intensity stand out over many of his peers. Lashley is a member of the faction The Hurt Business, four black men who dress to impress and, as the leader MVP puts it, are "in the business to hurt people" (get it, The Hurt Business.) There is no wasted movement with Lashley, Every bodyslam, chokehold, and word serve a purpose. Actions, not empty platitudes and gestures, are rewarded, and Bobby Lashley is living proof.
Drew McIntyre's story is one of sticktoitiveness. He signed with the WWE in 2007 and fired seven years later after a lackluster run with the company. He said that he would one day make it back to the WWE. He wrestled for several promotions around the world until he returned to the WWE in 2017. He has since become a mainstay on WWE television, holding multiple championships, including the WWE Championship twice. Viewers can feel the gravitas the "Scottish Warrior" holds as he walks to the ring with his sword, pyrotechnic flames shooting up around him.
Daniel Bryan proves that masculinity comes in all shapes and sizes. Measuring at 5 foot 10 inches tall and roughly 210 pounds, he is one of WWE’s most revered stars. A multiple-time WWE Champion, Bryan is world-renown for his wrestling IQ and ability. The word "quit" should never be in the same sentence with his name. No matter the obstacle, he is somehow able to rise to the top and remain in high-profile matches. This year, he is expected to be one of the competitors for Roman Reigns' WWE Universal Championship. Bryan's underdog status among the wrestling community was cemented by his unfortunate retirement in 2016 because of lingering neck injuries and head injuries. His journey to become medically-cleared to wrestle again built more momentum behind him.
The stories surrounding these men, many of them with conservative themes, will capture American audiences' minds and spirits. Handouts and identity politics are virtually non-existent in this business, but failure is. Princeton graduate, author, and journalist William Zinsser (1922-2015) wrote in an essay titled The Right to Fail, "Those who are afraid to fail will coast through life and never come close to their potential. Failure--honest failure despite genuine effort--is an underrated teacher and motivator as well as a sign that one is striving at close to full capacity."
Professional wrestling has a lineage of conservative, if not outright Republican, figures. Jesse Ventura, former Governor of Minnesota, holds many traditional beliefs and is a devout Donald Trump enthusiast. Glen Jacobs, better known to WWE audiences as "The Big Red Machine" Kane, is a registered Republican who advocates for smaller government and fewer taxes.
One of the only ways conservatives can move the needle to the right is by impacting cultural institutions. Television, academia, and social media are being dominated by far-left-leaning ideologies that will slowly erode the country. The demasculinization of men needs to be addressed immediately and with urgency.
WWE is on the front lines of our masculinity battle in America.
