10 Insane Things WWE Stopped Wrestlers From Doing

10. Blue Meanie Wasn't Allowed His Own Video Game

If thinking of the wrestlers who could have had their own video game over the years, with no disrespect, The Blue Meanie is somebody who doesn't immediately spring to mind.

Surprisingly, Meanie could've had his own gaming release back in 2000. Well, until the then-WWF put the kibosh on such plans.

This only came to light this month, with the real-life Brian Heffron taking to Twitter to make this revelation after a Pepsiman sign was seen behind CM Punk on AEW Rampage. For those unaware, Pepsiman is the name by which Danhausen refers to Punk... and it's also the name of a hugely popular 1999 Japanese video game.

In that game, players take control of the titular character - the Japanese mascot for Pepsi - as he runs through various landscapes. With Pepsiman unable to stop running, the aim of the game is to dodge the items that lie ahead of the fella.

Very simple, very addictive, and Western audiences so very nearly got a version of this game featuring The Blue meanie.

As Meanie explained upon spotting the Rampage sign, he was approached to be the main character for an American spin on the Pepsiman game. Despite Da Blue Guy's obvious interest in the project, WWF refused to allow permission for him to pursue this gig.

Even more of a slap in the face, the bWo favourite would be released by the company barely three months later.

True Story. In 2000 I had been approached about doing a video game based on the Blue Meanie that would be an American version of a Japanese game called Pepsi Man. I was all set to do it and was told by WWF I couldn't. I was released a couple months later. https://t.co/iJvEMXjkuD
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) November 6, 2021

Authored by Andrew Pollard

Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.

Posted On: 11th Nov 2021

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