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

AdvertisementAdvertisement