Wrestling executive to take on Dodd

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. said yesterday McMahon has resigned as the company’s chief executive to seek the Republican nomination for Dodd’s seat, providing a show-business twist to one of the nation’s marquee Senate races.

“I just can’t sit on the sidelines anymore,’’ she told Fox Business Network yesterday. “Washington needs fresh faces, it needs some new blood.’’

McMahon, 60, launched her candidacy saying the five-term incumbent Dodd has “lost his way and our trust.’’ Dodd plans to run for a sixth term next year and is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats. He also faces a Democratic challenger, businessman Merrick Alpert.

While Dodd is playing a key role in health care and financial regulation overhauls, he has been criticized for being too close to Wall Street and accepting sizable campaign donations from the financial industry.

McMahon vowed to “run a very different campaign,’’ limiting individual contributions to $100 and not accepting contributions from political action committees and special interests - suggesting she will use her personal fortune to finance much of her campaign.

McMahon’s candidacy recalls the move brash Jesse Ventura made back in 1999, jumping from pro wrestling to the Minnesota governorship.

Linda and Vince McMahon, a professional wrestler, announcer and promoter, cofounded WWE, which is behind such television shows as “Raw’’ and “Friday Night SmackDown’’ and is known for its over-the-top performers, rowdy story lines, and scantily clad women known as “divas.’’

McMahon and her family have been occasional performers. McMahon, who typically worked behind the scenes at the WWE, has said she has appeared in portions of the shows at least several dozen times during her more than 25-year-career. One video on the Internet shows her in the ring, appearing to kick a man in the groin.

McMahon faces three other Republicans: former US Representative Rob Simmons, state Senator Sam Caligiuri, and former US Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.

McMahon could face criticism for some unsavory aspects of WWE’s programming, particularly its sexually suggestive and violent themes. The WWE has also been under fire in recent years after the unexpected deaths of several former and active wrestlers, some of which have been related to substance abuse.

When McMahon was appointed by Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell to the Connecticut Board of Education, she sparked criticism from some lawmakers who said it sent a wrong message to children. Her appointment was approved by the General Assembly this year.

Asked about such criticisms, McMahon said WWE’s programming is PG-rated and is seen by more than 16 million people each week. “The product of WWE is currently very separate from the issues that are facing this country,’’ she said.