10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (8 Nov)

2. WWE Refused To Brand The Ring Canvas

WCW Halloween Havoc 1998
WWE Network

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.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.