sorta relevant (and interesting (and can't post article in its own thread (because of language (that's fairly mild (but wouldn't fly here)))))
Two pro wrestlers developed ‘The Progressive Liberal’ to be the bad guy at matches. Then the atmosphere turned far darker
James enjoyed being the hero but it was nothing compared to playing the bad guy.
“They introduced me and the people booed me for almost two straight minutes. … It’s a high. … And I’ve been there in the same situation where they love me – I don’t think it compares to the high of the hatred.”
Together they developed “The Progressive Liberal” Dan Richards, often the bad guy at the matches in the Republican-voting mining towns of Appalachia and some southern states.
Over the past five years, however, that atmosphere has turned far darker, James and Harnsberger said this month.
People have become more frustrated, more divided, he said. And the Progressive Liberal offers an outlet for that built-up energy.
“So, now here’s this guy in our town, saying this stuff that we see on television that we don’t agree with. We can’t get those people [on TV], we can’t get the politicians. Let’s get him,” James said, describing the attitude.
...
on a recent night in Stickleyville, Virginia, where Trump’s share of the vote rose from an already overwhelming 78% in 2016 to 84% in 2020, it did turn ugly, and fast.
When some in the audience told their neighbors to let Harnsberger speak [a usual part of the act where the progressive riles up the crowd with unpopular views] it boiled over. Punches were thrown. Someone was hit with a chair.
More fights broke out and the brawling spilled into the parking lot.
[The bout was cut short.]
James and Harnsberger sat backstage, waiting for it to be quiet enough to allow them to leave safely