On a recent edition of his “Kliq This” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recalled pitching to Vince McMahon an idea to have a Budweiser sponsorship by having the company’s logo on the ring turnbuckles at pay-per-view events.
As expected, McMahon shot down Nash’s idea.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On pitching using the Budweiser logo for WWE ring turnbuckles at PPV events to Vince McMahon: “I had these guys interested in putting the Budweiser red, the Budweiser emblem, on the turnbuckles at pay-per-views. Just pay-per-views, not Raws, just the pay-per-views, something that people were buying anyway…I knew what production was costing, and they were talking probably around 200K you know? So I brought it back, I mean I brought it right to Vince and he says ‘no, we’re competing with Disney.’”
On how WWE started trying to get beer sponsorships in 1997 for Steve Austin: “Jump forward to ’97 and they’re trying everything they can to get a f**king beer sponsor with Steve.”
In the world of professional wrestling, branding and sponsorships play a significant role in generating revenue and enhancing the overall experience for fans. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash shared an interesting idea he pitched to Vince McMahon, the CEO of WWE, regarding a potential Budweiser sponsorship at pay-per-view events. However, McMahon ultimately rejected the idea, citing competition with Disney.
Nash’s idea was to have the iconic Budweiser logo displayed on the ring turnbuckles during pay-per-view events. He believed that this partnership would not only provide additional revenue for the company but also create a unique and immersive experience for the audience. Nash estimated that the production costs for implementing this idea would be around $200,000.
Despite Nash’s enthusiasm and belief in the potential success of the Budweiser sponsorship, McMahon turned down the proposal. He expressed concerns about competing with Disney, a major entertainment conglomerate that has its own branding and sponsorship deals. While McMahon’s decision may have disappointed Nash, it highlights the complex nature of securing sponsorships and the careful considerations that go into such decisions.
Interestingly, Nash also mentioned that WWE had previously attempted to secure beer sponsorships in 1997 specifically for one of their top stars, Steve Austin. This demonstrates WWE’s ongoing efforts to explore various sponsorship opportunities and leverage their popular wrestlers to attract major brands.
Sponsorships have long been a part of professional wrestling, with companies seeking to align their brand with the larger-than-life personalities and captivating storylines that WWE offers. These partnerships not only provide financial support but also help promote both the brand and the wrestling organization.
While the Budweiser sponsorship idea may not have come to fruition, it is a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of the wrestling industry and its constant pursuit of innovative ways to engage fans and generate revenue. As WWE continues to explore new avenues for sponsorships and branding opportunities, fans can expect to see exciting collaborations and partnerships in the future.
In conclusion, Kevin Nash’s idea to have a Budweiser sponsorship by featuring the company’s logo on the ring turnbuckles at pay-per-view events was an intriguing concept. However, Vince McMahon’s decision to reject the proposal highlights the complexities of securing sponsorships and the need to consider various factors, such as competition with other major entertainment entities. Nonetheless, WWE’s ongoing efforts to secure sponsorships demonstrate the importance of branding and partnerships in the world of professional wrestling.