By Chris Newth, PWTorch political analyst

With the August 10 Connecticut primary fast-approaching, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has been given more than enough reason to celebrate. Not only is she sitting at a comfortable 17 percent advantage over fellow Republican candidate Rob Simmons with only five days left until the primary, but the latest Quinnipiac poll also indicates that McMahon is quietly closing the gap against her most daunting challenge, Connecticut Attorney General Dick Blumenthal, the front-running Democrat in the open-seat race.

But it's important to keep things in perspective. What are Linda McMahon's realistic chances? Clearly she will win the Republican primary this Tuesday barring any shocking revelations or egregious political gaffes. Winning the Republican Senate endorsement at the state party's convention in May was a significant achievement, which helped set up her likely victory next week. Whether these successes have come from her positioning as a moderate Republican or spending over $20 million of her personal wealth, her progress in the race for Senate is undeniable.

She has passed the initial tests, gained the support of her party, and will ostensibly be the official candidate backed with more conservative solidarity come November. Instead of competing in an intramural contest where she was compared to fellow Republicans, she will instead be up against a more contrasting opponent in Democratic candidate Dick Blumenthal.

Of course, nothing in politics is set in stone, and McMahon cannot take anything for granted heading into Tuesday’s primary contest. However, poll results are in her favor, and at this point it looks as though a McMahon-Blumenthal bout is probable. So how are her chances in that particular race?

Today, the Cook Political Report updated the 2010 Senate Race Ratings for the seats up for grabs this November. At this point, the Connecticut seat currently held by the retiring Sen. Chris Dodd leans Democratic, meaning the race is competitive "but one party has an advantage."

However, McMahon's campaign is being rewarded with more favorable poll numbers in the latest Quinnipiac poll. Although still trailing, McMahon is now within ten points of Blumenthal in a hypothetical match-up. And to whom can she contribute this bump?

According to Felicia Sonmez on Chris Cillizza's "The Fix," "the key to McMahon's momentum appears to be independent voters, among whom she has enjoyed an uptick in support over the past several weeks. For the first time, McMahon is now winning independents 46 percent to 44 percent."

Regardless, the race is far from over, and the political landscape is likely to alter once the primaries pass. The real test for Linda McMahon is how her poll numbers fare once she officially becomes the Republican candidate on the ticket and goes one-on-one with Richard Blumenthal. At that point - with all other Republicans out of the race and presumably backing her over Blumenthal - she may find herself in even closer reach so long as she lowers her unfavorables and hits the right political notes on the campaign trail going forward.

McMahon has shown that she can wage a successful battle against her competition on the right. As soon as next week, her political mettle will be tested in an entirely new way as she confronts a much different contest that will launch difficult challenges for both candidates unique to their position in Connecticut, their ideologies, and the political landscape in the country as a whole.

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt