WWE Ring Canvas Slipperiness Raises Safety Concerns

WWE Ring Canvas Slipperiness Raises Safety Concerns

Jim Ross believes Logan Paul has raised a real safety concern about WWE ring canvas slipperiness, especially when sponsor logos are painted on the mat.

Ross discussed the issue on Grilling JR, stressing that the safety of performers must always come first. “I understand the problem. I can see that being an issue – slipperiness and so forth,” he said. He added that WWE must protect its talent at all times. “If you’re going to do that, you got to make sure that you keep it safe for your talent, because the number one goal is always going to be the talent.”

Logan Paul recently explained on his podcast that the painted logos become more dangerous as the show goes on. “By the end of the night, the middle of that ring gets really slippery,” Paul said. “I noticed I can’t get running full speed. I got to be really careful with my feet and my placement.”

His comments came after he defended LA Knight, who slipped from the top rope during the Elimination Chamber event. Paul linked the slip to ropes that become sweaty and oily and connected it to the broader issue of painted logos on the canvas.

For many years under Vince McMahon, WWE avoided sponsor logos on the ring canvas. While WCW, Mexican promotions, and combat sports used them, WWE kept its mat clean. That changed when TKO began pushing sponsorship revenue more aggressively. Now, WWE RAW and other shows often feature several brand logos during broadcasts.

Paul also revealed that his own brand, Prime, was part of early talks with WWE about whether painted logos could be used safely. “Before Prime was on the mat, we were going back and forth with WWE about whether or not it was even possible because of the way they paint it,” he said. “They wanted to actually stress test the mats and have people wrestle and see if it got oily.”

Ross warned that the consequences of ignoring the problem could be serious. “Somebody slips and falls and tears the knee out, or an ankle, or any other joint in the lower body – it could be very scary and very costly,” he said. He also pointed out the conflict between presentation and safety. “If you’re going to have a logo and you want to look very upscale, very slick – then you’ve got one, literally, that’s very slick.”

Although Ross did not call the issue a dealbreaker, he said WWE must address it. “Not a deal breaker or anything like that, but I’m glad that they’re reviewing it for the safety of the athletes,” he said.

Jeff Jarrett added his own experience to the discussion on his podcast. “That can be like glass,” Jarrett said, recalling his time in Mexico where promotions used sand and grit over the paint to improve grip. His comments show that WWE ring canvas slipperiness is not a new concern, but one that becomes more important as sponsorships increase.

WWE Ring Canvas Slipperiness Raises Safety Concerns

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Matt Hardy Warns WWE About Overexposing Danhausen

Matt Hardy Warns WWE About Overexposing Danhausen

Matt Hardy believes WWE has handled Danhausen’s debut the right way but cautions the company not to overuse him as his run continues. Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy said WWE made a strong first impression by presenting Danhausen as a star from the moment he appeared on television.

Hardy highlighted the theatrical nature of the debut, which featured Danhausen emerging from a box containing a casket, accompanied by dancers and a full performance. He acknowledged that the introduction divided fans, but emphasized that the follow‑up segments would ultimately determine how the character connects with the WWE audience.

Hardy pointed to Danhausen’s proven track record in AEW, where he consistently ranked among the company’s top merchandise sellers. He expects that success to carry over to WWE, noting that Danhausen’s appeal lies in his personality and comedic presence rather than his in‑ring work.

According to Hardy, WWE should treat Danhausen as a special attraction rather than a weekly in‑ring performer. He described him as a “utility player” who thrives on character work and fan engagement, not someone meant to be positioned as the face of the company or a top champion. Hardy argued that keeping Danhausen’s matches rare would help preserve the uniqueness of the act.

Hardy also warned that WWE must avoid running the character into the ground. He suggested that the company may initially feature Danhausen heavily due to strong merchandise sales, but predicted they would eventually settle into a more controlled schedule to prevent oversaturation.

He added that appearances in other WWE‑affiliated promotions, such as AAA, could help keep the character fresh. Hardy said Danhausen’s persona is perfectly suited for those environments, and that spreading out his appearances would maintain fan interest while maximizing his strengths.

Hardy concluded that as long as WWE protects the character and avoids overexposure, Danhausen is positioned to succeed and continue moving significant merchandise.

Matt Hardy Warns WWE About Overexposing Danhausen

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MJF Says AEW Would “Collapse” Without Him, Credits Title Reign for Company’s Growth

MJF Says AEW Would “Collapse” Without Him, Credits Title Reign for Company’s Growth

MJF believes AEW’s success is directly tied to his run as World Champion, saying the company would be in serious trouble without him. Speaking on TMZ Inside The Ring ahead of his Texas Death Match against Hangman Adam Page at AEW Revolution, the champion was asked about his value to the promotion — and he didn’t hold back.

“We would be fucked if MJF left the territory,” he said. “I am the biggest thing this company has got. Since I won the championship, we are up in every single metric — ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, ratings. We are absolutely killing it right now.”

While taking credit for AEW’s momentum, MJF also acknowledged the roster around him as a major factor. He listed names like Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe, Andrade, Kyle Fletcher, Bandido, Darby Allin, Brody King, Kevin Knight, and “Speedball” Mike Bailey as challengers who elevate the product by chasing his title.

According to MJF, AEW’s current run is producing the best wrestling on television. “Facts, not feelings — we are putting on the best professional wrestling shows in the sport today,” he said. “It’s because we have the best professional wrestlers in the sport today, bar none.”

MJF will be defending the AEW World Championship against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match at AEW Revolution on March 15 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The match carries major stakes, as Page would be barred from challenging for the title again if he lost.

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AJ Styles Reflects On WWE Rivalry With Shinsuke Nakamura

AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s storied rivalry stretches across more than a decade, having initially feuded in NJPW before locking up in WWE. This past January, both men battled against each other for the last time at Saturday Night’s Main Event, as Styles officially retired from professional wrestling a week later at the Royal Rumble. However, the final clash between both stars was one of their best, and according to Styles, it’s the quality of match they should’ve had eight years ago.

Styles and Nakamura’s first singles match together in WWE was at WrestleMania 34, a contest that famously underdelivered, and during a recent appearance on “The Phenomenally Retro,” the 48-year-old claimed that the fan expectations were too unrealistic going in, but is proud of his most recent bout with “The King Of Strong Style.”

“The match with Shinsuke was really good, and it was the match we probably should have had at WrestleMania, but everybody, their expectations at WrestleMania were way too high. And we thought we had to find a way to get to that expectations rather than doing what we knew would work and that’s what we did at Saturday Night’s Main Event.”

Styles continued by reflecting on his time competing in Japan, stating that the country’s fans are unlike anywhere else because of their appreciation for the sport and its wrestlers.

“I’m convinced too that Japanese fans will make every match great. They’re just so amazing as far as being fans and so respectful … they inspire you to be better because they appreciate what you’re doing in that ring. They appreciate the athletes.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “The Phenomenally Retro” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Details On WWE Shutting Down Logan Paul’s Boxing Publicity Stunt

Synonymous with publicity, albeit with vexed takes and tricks, Logan Paul has used his platform recently to promote lucrative challenges that combined his former boxing position and his new home in WWE. Incorporating all the controversy that has come with it, including “ducking” out of his $1 million dollar boxing challenge against NFL players to WWE reportedly telling him this dare was a no-go, the Wrestling Observer hassummarized this entire saga, along with provided new details in this week’s newsletter.

Let’s start at the beginning. After NFL legend turned Las Vegas Raider owner Tom Brady called pro wrestling “cute,” following Paul’s remark that training to become a wrestler is more difficult than training to become a football player or a boxer, for that matter, Paul was the first to confront the former quarterback on his nonsensical comment. There, he offered any NFL player to step up to him in a boxing ring, where he’d be willing to put $1 million of his own money on the line; however, there’s a catch: the challenger would also have to put $1 million up, making the match a winner-take-all challenge. Someone whose had his fair share of past animosity with Paul, former NFL running back and current professional boxer, Le’Veon Bell, stepped up to the open challenge, only for Paul to back out; rather, cancel the impending fight, due to WWE’s interference.

With many seeing this as another promotional stunt on behalf of “The Maverick,” veteran journalist Dave Meltzer confirmed that yes, it was a publicity stunt, and that WWE was not involved in Paul’s initial hoopla. To play on this blocked decision after the incident blew up, in a recent YouTube vlog, Paul was seen on the phone talking to WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Head of Communications, Chris Legentil, who informed the former United States Champion he cannot go through with this fight due to injury risk, especially with WrestleMania 42 just around the corner.

Regarding the phone call from Legentil, Meltzer confirmed with officials that while that phone call was staged to provide credibility on Paul’s behalf that, that was not his decision to terminate this challenge, the call was close to the “replica” of what actually went down in private talks between Paul and WWE. Rumblings making its rounds at the moment is that Paul might be stepping in as Seth Rollins’ opponent at this year’s “Showcase of the Immortals.”

Circling back to Brady, he and Paul will stand in opposition in their upcoming “Fanatics Flag Football Classic” scheduled for next Saturday, March 21.