How Wrestling Is Like Politics (and Vice Versa)

An indulgence, if you please, from an interview I gave to WWE.com:

When staged correctly, both [politics and pro wrestling] can be mesmerizing," says Ambinder, a lifelong WWE fan, an associate editor at Atlantic Monthly magazine and the chief political consultant for CBS News.

In both professions, whether a man wears tights or a tie, he attempts to paint himself as the only choice in the minds of viewers or voters.

"Both professions tend to divide people into good and evil," explains Ambinder. "For example, to Democrats, Republicans are 'heels' while other Democrats are 'babyfaces.'"

Not only does politics and professional wrestling share a similar sense of drama, says Ambinder, the two also share a similar work ethic.

"Politics is exhausting," says the political expert, who attended his fourth convention this year and has logged around a dozen WWE live events. "Both politicians and wrestlers are very hearty, and the fans appreciate when each performs effectively."

I also spoke to the interviewer about "roles" and how politicians inhabit them as much as wrestlers do, but maybe that was a bit too insider-y...