Glenn Beck: Wrestling Fans Are Stupid

Glenn Beck is an American conservative who hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally-syndicated radio show which deals heavily with political commentary and humour. Recently on his program, Beck spoke out against the characters recently introduced by WWE - played by veteran wrestler and manager, Wayne Keown (Dutch Mantel) and Jake Hager (Jack Swagger). Mantel, as Zeb Colter, is a Vietnam war veteran who feels the United States needs to flush out immigrants and foreigners. Swagger, who returned to WWE screens on the February 1 episode of Smackdown after a five month sabbatical, has seen his persona tweaked to incorporate this xenophobia; Swagger now goes by the nicknames, "Real American" and "True Patriot".

Beck, on his radio show, spoke out against such characters: "You're making a villain out of what?" Beck asked. "Probably 80 percent of your audience who's tired as it is of being miscast? They're tired of this, I'm sick and tired of being miscast. I am sick and tired of it. It is lazy at best. And I certainly am not going to give any more time or my money to any organization that is miscasting, is making it harder for me and my family to stand up for what I believe in."

Later in the same statement, Beck described those involved in pro wrestling as, "stupid wrestling people", a statement which was guaranteed a rebuttal from WWE. Indeed, the company invited Beck to appear on the Monday 25 edition of Raw to give a five minute speech with his thoughts, an offer Beck has since turned down, stating he is "currently booked doing anything else".

In a video response (attached below this article), both Colter and Swagger break character whilst inviting Beck to appear on Raw, a move which has already divided the wrestling world. Currently scheduled to appear in court on March 12, to answer a DUI charge arrest on February 19, Swagger's current feud and World Title match at Wrestlemania with Alberto Del Rio is currently up in the air.

WWE have elected to protect their brand by hitting out at Beck, but at what cost? Exposing one of their newest characters in this manner has angered many within the wrestling community; pro wrestling fans are generally aware of the scripted, character-heavy nature of the industry, but dislike when promotions come out and let the proverbial cat out of the bag. With that and Swagger's current court summon in mind, the World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania XXIX is not yet guaranteed.