10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (8 Nov)
2. WWE Refused To Brand The Ring Canvas
Halloween Havoc 1998 was memorable for three things. The horrendous Hogan vs. Warrior rematch, the pay-per-view going off the air before DDP vs. Goldberg and that amazing set design at the entrance. Most watching at the time probably didn't even notice the huge Snickers logo in the middle of the ring.
Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard did, and they weren't big fans.
On his podcast, Prichard said that ring branding came up in WWF meetings several times during the late-'90s, and Vince always vetoed suggestions his company follow WCW's lead. Amazingly, McMahon decreed the canvas "sacred ground" and thought it was "overkill" to pimp out the ring mats to different companies.
He wasn't keen on having brands splashed across his canvas during shows at all. A few staff members brought it up over the years without success; it's incredible to think that a money-hungry mogul like McMahon turned down the chance to make easy cash because it'd go against wrestling traditions.