WWE's Linda McMahon to file for U.S. Senate seat?

I'm telling you, you just can't make this stuff up (from The Hill):

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Linda McMahon appears primed to run for Senate in Connecticut and should make an announcement very soon, according to sources with knowledge of her deliberations. “A decision is imminent, and she will likely make a decision over the next couple of days,” said a Republican strategist. “It will be made sooner rather than later.”

Now, there's a distinct possibility this is a angle for Monday Night Raw, the centerpiece of WWE's television programming. WWE's ratings have solidified with their latest run of guest hosts, including Donald Trump (and no commercials, since Trump had bought Raw, and didn't need them, according to the storyline), and Bob Barker of all people.

But the new dog in the yard, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been killing WWE in pay-per-view sales, and is rapidly approaching boxing's status as THE pay-per-view buy for sports fans. UFC 100, the show's signature event of the summer, had more buyers than WWE's first SIX event this year, and that included WrestleMania. WWE is losing fans (and money) to UFC, and needs a lot of publicity to get eyeballs on USA network on Monday nights.

So, maybe Linda McMahon going through the motions of filing for the Senate is a storyline. But maybe it's not. She's already been involved in Connecticut politics enough to be named to the state board of education, and has donated to Republicans and Democrats in the state. Of all Democratic senators up for re-election next year, Sen. Chris Dodd is by far the most susceptible to a loss. His polling numbers are bad, he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he's been made the scapegoat for the financial crisis by those on the right.

And Linda (and Vince) McMahon are LOADED. And while there are two other big money Republicans in the mix already, she would still be at a significant advantage. Again from The Hill:

The GOP favorite so far is former Rep. Rob Simmons, but former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley is also raising good money for the race, and state Sen. Sam Caligiuiri is also running. Investment banker Peter Schiff has raised more $1 million for his exploratory committee, meaning Simmons could potentially have to overcome two very well-funded opponents.

Linda McMahon would eclipse both of their fundraising efforts with a stroke of the pen. After the McMahons took WWE public in 1999, their wealth was valued at over a billion. It's about half that now, but $500 million is still a pretty healthy reserve from which to draw.

We've had an actor as governor of California (twice), governor of Montana, and President of the United States. Are we ready for the wife of a wrestling promoter, and the woman who helps run his business, to be a U.S. Senator?