In 2009, Donald Trumpstunned the WWE Universe by stepping into one of WWE’s most daring storylines, “purchasing” WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, from Chairman Vince McMahon. While Trump was already a high-profile celebrity known for his reality TV success, his involvement in WWE took his image to new heights and left fans buzzing. This surprising arc brought in some of the highest ratings Raw had seen in nearly a decade, setting a precedent for celebrity influence in professional wrestling.

Trump in WWE: More than just a cameo

Image via YouTube/Six Feet Under

Trump’s association with WWE dates back to 2007 when he regularly appeared on WWE programming, building toward an unforgettable WrestleMania feud with Vince McMahon. The partnership wasn’t limited to a brief cameo; Trump was fully engaged in WWE storylines, even earning induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The impact of this WWE chapter in Trump’s career was so substantial that, after becoming the 45th President of the United States, he became “the first pro wrestling Hall of Fame member to be elected President.”
However, the storyline that resonated most with fans came in June 2009, when Trump’s “purchase” of Monday Night Raw shocked fans and the financial world alike.

WWE’s fictional dirty causes stock drop

The WWE storyline saw Vince McMahon announce the sale of Raw to Donald Trump, leading to significant hype. “The new owner would be able to name their own General Manager for the show and run it how they wanted,” the storyline teased. But WWE’s creative prowess was almost too convincing. Following the fictional sale, WWE stock dropped by 7% as Wall Street reacted to the announcement. The company had to clarify the fictional nature of the sale, issuing a press release to assure investors and prevent further confusion.
Trump didn’t waste time making changes to Raw, the biggest of which was to air his first Raw as a “commercial-free” show, a bold move that WWE followed through on. Anticipation soared, and fans were captivated by the promise of an uninterrupted Raw experience.

Green Bay welcomes Trump with enthusiasm

On June 22, 2009, Trump made his first official appearance as the “owner” of Raw at Green Bay’s Resch Center. The excitement was palpable, and fans in Green Bay were excited to welcome Trump. “The whole town of Green Bay has gone nuts for Donald Trump,” the article notes, showing how popular he was at the time as a celebrity without the polarizing image he would later acquire as a politician.
Trump’s first big decision? He announced that all fans attending the event would receive full refunds for their tickets, a gesture that reportedly cost WWE over $200,000. This move won over fans in attendance, adding to his already enthusiastic reception.
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Trump faces off with Randy Orton and changes Raw’s structure

Image via WWE

Trump’s appearance that night included announcing a high-stakes Last Man Standing match between Randy Orton and Triple H for the WWE Championship, moving it up from an upcoming pay-per-view to his commercial-free Raw. As the storyline progressed, Trump made another significant change to Raw’s structure by removing the General Manager position altogether, opting instead for celebrity guest hosts. “During Trump’s Raw, he will be celebrity guest hosts,” the article recalls, a move that added unpredictability and new excitement to the show.
The crowd responded enthusiastically to each of Trump’s announcements, and the atmosphere was electric. “Seriously, Trump is so over with the crowd, you may have thought to yourself in 2009, ‘this guy could run for President and win,’” the article observes, a statement that proved prophetic.

Trump vs. Vince McMahon: A dramatic conclusion

The storyline took a dramatic turn when Vince McMahon confronted Trump, accusing him of manipulating the purchase to “bankrupt” WWE by offering commercial-free shows and ticket refunds. The tension culminated in an intense showdown, where Trump “slapped the taste out of Vince’s mouth.” WWE fans watched as security rushed to separate the two, heightening the drama and ending Trump’s Raw with a memorable conclusion.
Ultimately, McMahon offered to buy Raw back, and Trump agreed to sell the show for twice the original price, effectively closing the storyline. This chapter in WWE history, while short-lived, had a lasting impact. As the article notes, “Again, this particular episode of Raw got some of the companies (sic) highest ratings in a decade,” showcasing the power of celebrity-driven storylines.

Donald Trump has been a unique chapter in WWE history

Trump’s 2009 storyline in WWE is one of the company’s most talked-about celebrity arcs, blurring the lines between reality and fiction in a way that impacted both fans and investors. With record-breaking ratings and an enthusiastic crowd response, the storyline exemplified WWE’s talent for creating unforgettable moments that keep fans coming back for more. For many fans, Trump’s Raw will forever be remembered as an unpredictable, entertaining highlight in WWE history, capturing the drama and spectacle that define professional wrestling.
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