WWE will offer free merchandise outside poll stations

They tell politicians not to pick fights with those who buy ink by the barrel. They might add that it’s not a good idea to mess with a professional showman who loves one-upsmanship.

A day after a court formally confirmed that voters cannot be prohibited from wearing World Wrestling Entertainment apparel to the polls — even if it does hint at support for the company’s former CEO turned politician — the company celebrated with the equivalent of an endzone dance.

WWE will distribute its branded merchandise for free outside selected Connecticut polling places on Election Day, the company announced, a gesture it said was celebrating its court victory — and also poked some fun at the state official who triggered the dispute, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.

“I can’t think of a better way for WWE fans to celebrate their constitutional rights and freedom of expression while voting than to proudly wear the WWE merchandise that Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz attempted to prohibit from the polls,” Vince McMahon, the company’s chairman and president, said in a written statement.

McMahon’s wife, Linda, was the CEO of the family wrestling empire until she stepped down to run for the Senate. She faces Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

Bysiewicz, meanwhile, said even before the court decision that her office had never attempted to bar those wearing WWE apparel from voting. Media reports to that effect had misconstrued the advice her staff gave to local election officials, Bysiewicz said.

That didn’t stop McMahon from taking a victory lap.

Reached by phone, a WWE spokesman chuckled when asked if the company would be sending a T-shirt to Bysiewicz.