The low level of political contributions and absence of lobbying suggest WWE is minimally involved in shaping political outcomes. From an anti-authoritarian perspective, limited corporate political engagement reduces the risk of bolstering authoritarian agendas, hence a modest positive score.

World Wrestling Entertainment Profile: Summary - OpenSecrets

The public political behavior of WWE legends endorsing an authoritarian figure like Donald Trump reinforces a problematic alignment with far-right, authoritarian ideals. This involvement, even if informal or based on personal celebrity endorsement, contributes to the broader mobilization of support for authoritarian agendas.

Donald Trump engaging WWE Legends for US Presidential Elections: Exploring reasons behind

The article also points to the McMahon family’s significant financial contributions to Donald Trump’s political causes, which further entrenches WWE’s role in supporting and normalizing authoritarian political strategies. Such political donations contribute to an environment that valorizes anti-democratic practices.

How wrestling and WWE got a chokehold on American politics in the age of Trump

The lawsuit alleges severe sexual misconduct and exploitation by WWE executives, highlighting a systemic failure to protect employee rights and ensure ethical labor practices. This abuse of power undermines worker protections, reflecting negatively on the company's business practices and ethical responsibility.

Former WWE employee files sex abuse lawsuit against the company and Vince McMahon

The profile details WWE's engagement in lobbying initiatives, including the use of firms with former political staffers, which can serve to amplify corporate influence over democratic processes. From an anti-fascist perspective, such activities potentially undermine public accountability by prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of the public, thereby earning a negative evaluation.

World Wrestling Entertainment Profile: Lobbying

The petition highlights WWE's decision to censor and remove parts of its historical content as a deliberate act that suppresses cultural heritage and public access to original narratives. From an anti-authoritarian perspective, such censorship is viewed as a move towards controlling information and limiting free expression, aligning the company with practices that echo authoritarian media manipulation.

Petition · To stop the censoring and removal of wrestling content on wwe network on peacock

The article exposes WWE's long-standing business model that treats wrestlers as independent contractors, which deprives them of essential workplace protections and benefits. This practice, coupled with reports of unsafe working conditions and lack of union representation, places WWE on the negative side of labor ethics, reflecting a disregard for worker welfare that contributes to broader systemic exploitation.

John Oliver explains the WWE's glaring workers' rights problem - Quartz

WWE’s practice of treating its talent as independent contractors rather than employees results in the denial of essential benefits and workers' rights. This approach not only minimizes payroll obligations but also limits the ability of its superstars to unionize, reflecting a broader pattern of labor exploitation that undermines fair labor practices and worker protections.

Labor Attorney Reveals How WWE Superstars May Challenge Their Independent Contractor Status

Peacock’s decision to excise racist segments from WWE’s programming highlights the problematic legacy of offensive content that promoted harmful stereotypes. This content contributed to normalizing racist narratives, undermining efforts to promote diversity, equity, and anti-fascist values. The removal serves as a corrective measure, yet it also brings WWE's past practices under scrutiny and emphasizes the need for more proactive ethical standards in media programming.

Peacock pulls racist WWE segments from streaming service

The active role of WWE's leadership, notably Linda McMahon, in engaging with Washington insiders through lobbying activities undermines their public portrayal as political outsiders. This reinforcement of insider dynamics contributes to a culture of special interest influence in politics.

WWE spent $1M on 'educating' politicians in past decade

The 2007 report showing WWE's expenditure of $260,000 on lobbying demonstrates corporate use of financial resources to influence political policy. From an anti-fascist perspective, such practices can undermine democratic accountability and potentially favor corporate interests over public welfare, contributing to an environment where authoritarian influences can take root.

World Wrestling Entertainment Lobbying Reports