WASHINGTON -- President-elect Donald Trump is adding former wrestling executive Linda McMahon to his Cabinet as leader of the Small Business Administration.McMahon and her husband, Vince, founded and built World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., now a publicly traded sports entertainment company. She stepped down as the companys chief executive in 2009 and earlier this year launched a joint venture, Womens Leadership LIVE, which promotes opportunities for women in business and public service.She also poured $100 million of her fortune into two unsuccessful bids for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012 and has become an influential Republican donor -- including to the Trump campaign.Linda is going to be a phenomenal leader and champion for small businesses and unleash Americas entrepreneurial spirit all across the country, Trump said in a statement Wednesday.Trump said McMahon shares his vision of decreasing burdensome regulations that are hurting our middle-class workers and small businesses.As an entrepreneur myself, I have shared the experiences of our nations small business owners and will do my best to advocate on their behalf, McMahon, 68, said in a statement. My husband and I built our business from scratch, building it to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees.The SBA, best known for the small business loans it makes and the disaster aid it provides to companies and entrepreneurs, is also tasked with monitoring government officials compliances with contract laws. Its budget is generally under $1 billion.McMahons two Democratic Senate opponents had kind words for their former foe.Sen. Richard Blumenthal called her a person of serious accomplishment and ability who can help small businesses as long as she is not hamstrung by the dangerous economic policies espoused by other Trump-nominated Cabinet officials. Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy called McMahon a talented and experienced businessperson who helped shepherd WWE from an idea into a successful business.Of course, I know firsthand what a fierce fighter Linda McMahon is, and though we havent always seen eye to eye, I have confidence shell bring that fight to the SBA on behalf of Connecticut small businesses, he said.Some national small business advocates said they had little experience with McMahon but hoped she would understand the needs of small companies. Connecticut members of the National Federation of Independent Business had supported McMahon when she ran for Senate, NFIB spokesman Jack Mozloom said.Her views with small business aligned very well with our views. If that indicates what kind of SBA administrator shell be, thatll be good, Mozloom said.The Small Business Majority said it would have liked a nominee with more direct small business experience, but was optimistic McMahon would support companies and their owners.We hope that she recognizes the unique role that the SBA plays in providing much-needed capital and support to Americas small businesses and that she is prepared to play a strong role advocating for small business needs throughout the government, said John Arensmeyer, the groups CEO.The contract laws that the SBA monitors compliance with are aimed at ensuring small businesses get at least 23 percent of federal contracting money that is considered eligible for small businesses. The SBA also sponsors small business training and assistance at hundreds of centers across the country. And its Office of Advocacys responsibilities include challenging government regulations that pose a burden for small businesses.House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, called McMahon an excellent choice.I look forward to working with her and the new administration to roll back burdensome regulations and increase access to capital for Americas 28 million small businesses, he said.Trump wasnt McMahons top choice for president. She first backed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But McMahon has known Trump for three decades, and contributed $5 million to Trumps family charity, almost all of it in 2007. He participated in WWE events, including a 2007 Battle of the Billionaires, during which he shaved Vince McMahons head.After Trump secured the Republican nomination, McMahon became one of his most generous benefactors. Fundraising records show she gave $6 million to an outside group that aired supportive commercials and attack ads against Democrat Hillary Clinton. She also gave more than $150,000 to the Trump campaign and his Republican Party partners at the end of September.McMahon told The Associated Press in September that she was confident Trump would be a good president and said the two were on good terms.Once youre his friend, he is loyal to the end, she said. Hes an incredibly loyal, loyal friend.--Haigh reported from Hartford, Connecticut. AP Business Writer Joyce Rosenberg in New York contributed to this report.Custom High School Shirts Store . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Wholesale Custom High School Jerseys . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. 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"Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said.LOS ANGELES -- After a sluggish start, Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is pleased with the way his club has responded the past two games.Were coming together, Tortorella told NHL.com. We all play together, were all on the same page and we (have) each others back.The Blue Jackets open a three-game West Coast swing at Staples Center on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings.The Blue Jackets (2-2-0) fell to Boston 6-3 and to San Jose 3-2 to open the season before recording triumphs in their last two outings, a 3-0 shutout of the Dallas Stars on Saturday being their latest victory.Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 32 shots he faced and recorded his 100th win against the Stars. Bobrovsky has started all four games, posting a 2.28 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.The guy has been everything the Blue Jackets need him to be and more, and while were only four games into the season, he is a big reason why the team is 2-2-0 and heading to California with positive vibes after two consecutive wins over quality opponents, Tortorella said, according to NHL.com.The Blue Jackets also have gotten solid play on penalty kills. They have been successful 93.8 percent of the time playing shorthanded, which is currently fifth best in the NHL.The Kings (2-3-0) also have come up winners in their past two games despite being forced to shuffle goaltenders. After Jonathan Quick went down with a significant groin injury that could sideline him for three months in the opener at San Jose, his backup, JJeff Zatkoff, was scratched after sustaining a lesser injury to his groin in the teams skate-around Saturday morning.dddddddddddd. Zatkoff, though, is expected to only miss a week.Instead, Peter Budaj made 22 saves in his 300th NHL game in a 4-3 shootout win over the Canucks, handing them their first defeat of the season. Budaj is only the second Slovakia-born goaltender to accomplish the feat, joining Jaroslav Halak (371 games).I just want to take it one game at a time, said Budaj, who has compiled a 2.46 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage in two wins. I know its a cliche and you guys probably hate it when players say that, but it is true. You just want to look up one game ahead, and thats what you want to look at. We won (Saturday), were very happy, but weve just got to regroup, come back to work.Tanner Pearson scored the only goal in the shootout.Pearson, who scored a first-period goal against the Canucks, leads the Kings with five points (four goals, one assist) in three games. Pearson sat out the Kings first two losses due to a suspension.Los Angeles also has gotten key contributions from Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Alec Martinez, each of whom has registered a goal and three assists.Zach Werenski is the Blue Jackets top scorer with two goals and three assists. Nick Foligno and Alexander Wennberg have delivered a goal and three assists apiece. ' ' '