Disgusted by the WWE

Last night, I watched something so revolting that I feel guilty for allowing the program to enter my household. I know the antics are scripted and the actions that transpire inside the arena are all about ratings. But, on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, the WWE succeeded in making me sick to my stomache. Vince McMahon's famous wrestling federation, founded on family entertainment and the battles between "faces and heels" (good vs bad), sunk to a new low during its most recent broadcast.

Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, Paul Levesque (Triple H) and his real life wife (the boss' daughter) Stephanie McMahon encouraged the character known as Randy Orton to act without moral regards, in order to regain his stature as the face of the franchise. And, Orton delivered by unleashing sadistic pre and post match attacks on Mike "The Miz" Mizanin. As if Orton's actions weren't heinous enough, he continued to assault his opponent just a few feet away from Mizanin family and friends at ringside. Although the scenario was scripted and the "injuries" suffered by the Miz failed to transpire in the real world, I still find myself disgusted by this reprehensible sensationalism of brutality.

And, unfortunately the show went on. The most egregious acts were based on a scene where Stephanie McMahon called WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and "offered him a business proposal." There was a difference of opinion between Ms. McMahon and the 68 year old Virgil Runnels, in which "The Dream" told her where to go. She responded by calling in reinforcements. Against his will, Paul "The Big Show" Wight was told to knock the old man out. Allegedly destitute and perilously close to losing his job, Big Show delivered a devastating blow to Dusty Rhodes.

As I watched these scenes unfold, I started to wonder, what happened to the days when sports entertainment was also family entertainment? As a kid, I remember when the worst thing a wrestler could suffer inside the squared circle was having his hair cut off by the likes of "Brutus the Barber Beefcake."

After much thought, I did learn one valuable lesson...know when to change the channel.