There is a lot of hypocricy on both ends of this argument. While I did find it amusing that in a promo cut a few weeks ago, Mickie talked about being satisfied with what g-d gave you (given of course a Dr, not g-d gave her those things holding her top up), I do think the story has struck a chord and has a purpose.
No matter what a person's past, many would agree and believe that it is possible to grow and learn from mistakes and become better people. If those people happen to be WWE wrestlers, it might actually be MORE important to show those people in a positive light because it means more when you know the downfalls of going down the wrong road. Think about when you were in high school. When your clean cut teacher told you not to do drugs, did you listen? What about the recovering drug addict who lost everything and is attempting to turn his life around? Which do you think strikes more of a chord? As such, people like R-Truth and MVP are being pushed despite checkered pasts, and specifically in MVP's case, they consistently bring up his past to show that by learning the right way, you can stilil be successful. This does not mean to suggest you should go to jail to learn, it is to suggest that if he did things right the first time, he could have been younger and had success. I would argue that damn near all the employees of WWE have some kind of skeletons in the closet, so the argument not to present them as heroes is pretty pointless. Add in the fact that they are playing a character and their real life usually doesn't play into the character and making that argument just isn't fair.
As for Mickie, it's kind of hypocritical to talk about her "porn past". It was one magazine, but I ask how this is any different than the WWE's mass marketing of superstars such as Sable, Torrie Wilson, Chyna, Ashley Massaro, Candice Michelle, and Maria in playboy? Are these women incapable of being role models? I haven't seen anyone counter-argue with them. Maria did it most recently and no one is getting on her about it. Add in the fact that Mickie's "work" was done well before her WWE career began, and I don't think it's fair to define her life based on an event many many years ago. A more sensible argument would actually be to wonder how a psychopath stalker could ever become a role model because that's what she debuted as, so anyone watched for 5 years knows that she came in as a nutcase, so who's to say she still isn't one? Again, people change, and I suppose characters change too. Keep in mind, WWE fans are the same people that radically cheered an alcoholic, a foul mouthed jerk who insulted everyone, they're cheered guys who break the law on screen, cheered pretty much anyone as long as they have the right, jerky opponent. To get on the WWE about this message seems to pale in comparison.
I do think it's a little crazy though to get on Mickie about being so fat. Hell, I actually think she's about perfect in her body type. I do think that plays into it though in that she's a "real woman with curves" while Michelle is the anorexic bitch that thought she was hot in high school but secretly everyone hated her. It's a relateable story and that's why it has caught on. Of course, having a woman stand up for essentially being a normal woman is probably cool. Mickie is actually a unique individual who will be embarking on a singing career (and she can sing, google her doing karaoke with Jeff Hardy, I think you'll like it), and she has a love and passion for Morgan Horses. She's not a "dumb blonde" type and I think that in and of itself is a better image than just "i look like a woman" so I kind of wish they would have pushed that aspect more. As it is, she succeeded in beating the bullies and she delivered a message about it. Sure, it might be a little preachy, but then again, a lot of face stuff can often sound that way to those who grew up in the attitude era and think faces have always been jerks taking on even bigger jerks. Today's heels are nasty and the faces often times try to portray having truly good qualities. Mickie is portraying that at this point and she does it well. I can tell you from my limited experience with Mickie (met her at a Morgan Horse show she attended that my Uncle was involved in and she is a sweetheart) and anyone who has encountered her would probably get that vibe right away. She's awesome and pushing her as the "every woman" seems just about right. I personally hope she expands her message to include her interests and not just looks, but for now, it's about being brunette, being curvy, and being awesome.
And by the way, I think it would be irresponsible to actually promote someone truly fat as "being happy with who they are" because obesity is a disease and a real problem in this country. The fact is, this story was done KNOWING Mickie isn't that fat because she's "fat" in the eyes of someone that believes having girl curves is bad. I think that's why it plays perfectly.
