A new WWE storyline features the United States Champion and Ballin’ proficionado MVP teaming up with The View’s Sherri Shephard for… some reason.

The way it was explained on RAW, General Manager Theodore Long knew both of them and hooked them up on two well-documented dates.  When MVP visited The View, he chatted amiably with Barbara and the gang about life as a pro wrestler.  Sherri was also in MVP’s corner on Smackdown, when he faced Dolph Lundren (best name ever) in a title match.  He won with Sherri’s help — he smacked Dolph hard when he hit on her during the match, giving MVP a crucial advantage.

But really?  MVP and Sherri Shephard? From a marketing perspective, I’m perplexed.  The WWE is a show about ripped dudes punching each other.  The View is a show where women talk about lady stuff for girls.  I understand the Nintendo Wii idea of targeting “non-gamers,” because I think most people enjoy playing games of some kind (board games, sports).  However, can the WWE and The View really pick up viewers from one another?  Do 8-year-old boys want to hear a debate on gluten free diets?  Do 30-year-old women want to follow the antics of midget leprechaun wrestler Hornswoggle?  What content overlaps?

Of course, this is an oversimplification.  According to the WWE, 35% of its audience are women.  And I’m sure sweaty muscular guys grabbing each other must do it for some of The View’s audience.  However, I think a cross promotion risks alienating their core demographics (spoken like a true marketing whiz).  Maybe not so much for The View’s demo, although if Sherri Shephard gets deeper into MVP’s storyline, it might Andy Kaufman-out some women.  It’s WWE dude reactions I’m curious about.  When I watch a wrestling pay-per-view, it’s a guys night, like playing poker or attending a jerk-off circle, y’know?  Dudes don’t want their show invaded by the girl police — they’re the ones that tell them wrestling is stupid to begin with!

So who benefits from this?

PS – Next week on RAW, the Bella twins hit on MVP and the superstar agreed to take them out.  Sherri was mentioned in the conversation.  So it’s like, “I’m kinda going out with Sherri in a ridiculous attempt to gain female viewers, but don’t worry guys, I’m porkin’ the twins!“