Vince McMahon Allegedly Rejected Budweiser Sponsorship In 1995 For Ironic Reason

Vince McMahon is one of the most controversial names in the history of professional wrestling, but he was responsible for WWE’s growth. With that said McMahon also allegedly rejected a Budweiser sponsorship in 1995 for an ironic reason.

The approach to sponsorships in WWE has evolved significantly over the years, with the company now incorporating logos on the ring mat and around ringside. WWE has also ventured into new territory by signing sponsorship deals with brands like Sazerac Brands’ Wheatley Vodka, marking a departure from the past reluctance to partner with alcohol sponsors.

While speaking on Kliq This, Kevin Nash recounted an encounter with Anheuser-Busch representatives during his time as WWE champion in 1995. Nash described meeting executives at the Super Bowl and attending parties where discussions about potential sponsorship took place.

Anheuser-Busch expressed interest in placing the Budweiser emblem on the turnbuckles during WWE pay-per-view events for a fee of around $200,000, but Vince McMahon declined the offer.

“When I was champion, I went down to the Super Bowl, and I met a couple of pretty high-ups with Anheuser Busch. We went to the Maxim party and we drank, I think it was the Playboy wet and wild party back then, whatever it was. I had these guys interested in putting the Budweiser emblem on the turnbuckles at pay-per-views. Just pay-per-views. Not Raw, just the pay-per-view, something people were buying anyway. I knew what production was costing.”

Nash conveyed McMahon’s reasoning, stating that McMahon believed WWE was in competition with Disney and thus declined the beer sponsorship. Nash noted the irony in McMahon’s decision, considering that by 1997, WWE was actively seeking a beer sponsor, particularly for Steve Austin, indicating a change in approach within the company.

”They were talking around $200K. I brought it back. I brought it right to Vince and he says, ‘No, we’re competing with Disney.’ This was 95. Jump forward to 97 and they’re trying everything they can to get a f****** beer sponsor with Steve [Steve Austin].”

Things are obviously different now with how sponsorships are handled in WWE, as Logan Paul’s PRIME and WWE have a partnership now as well. Nevertheless, McMahon did what he thought was right for WWE at the time and that’s what mattered to him.

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