Logan Paul’s Prime Hydration has inked a sponsorship deal with WWE star Cody Rhodes.
Just hours away from WrestleMania 40, it was announced on Saturday that Rhodes has become the first pro wrestler to sign an endorsement deal with Prime. The drink company, which is a competitor of Gatorade, was founded by Paul and YouTuber KSI in 2022.
The NFL’s Patrick Mahomes, MLB’s Aaron Judge, and soccer star Erling Haaland are among the other athletes with Prime sponsorships. Prime endorses UFC fighters Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, and Dricus Du Plessis as well.
Prime has sponsorship deals with both WWE and UFC. Last month, it was announced that the Prime logo will be featured on the center of the mat for WWE premium live events starting with WrestleMania 40.
Rhodes is headlining both nights of WrestleMania. On Saturday, he’s teaming with Seth Rollins against The Rock & Roman Reigns. The night two main event will then be Reigns vs. Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Paul is defending his United States title against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a triple threat match on Sunday.
On SmackDown last Friday, WWE announced a historic sponsorship deal for the company.
It was revealed that Prime Hydration, which was founded by Logan Paul and KSI in 2022, has entered into a partnership with WWE. It’s the largest sponsorship deal in WWE’s history. As part of the agreement, the Prime logo will be featured on the center of the mat for WWE premium live events starting with WrestleMania 40.
This is the first time that WWE has sold ad space in the center of the ring. Paul and KSI were at SmackDown last week to announce the deal. After the announcement was made, it drew criticism online from fans, including memes of the Prime bottle logo ruining classic moments from WWE history.
Paul responded to the backlash on the latest episode of his Impaulsive podcast. Paul acknowledged the criticism but stated that, whether it was Prime or another company, WWE’s parent company TKO Group Holdings was going to sell that ad space.
Paul said the announcement was one of the coolest moments that he and KSI have ever had:
One of the coolest moments of our life, you know. Major achievement, major milestone for our brand and the company. Getting that center ring spot is interesting. It’s getting…it’s more positive reviews, but I think the diehard wrestling fans are like — they’re really upset, man.
It’s never been done, and Vince [McMahon] was always really protective of the mat and not putting any brands on it. But in this new era, which it is, no matter how you cut it, TKO is a publicly traded company, they got to meet a bottom line. That spot was going to be sold. We saw an opportunity, and potentially an opportunity to make people hate me even more, because I am a heel. And that’s kind of the angle I took. I was like, ‘F*ck y’all. I’m going to stamp everything about this with me so you’re reminded of just what my aim is: to take over in this company.’
Paul said he believes that fans will get used to the advertisement over time:
If we don’t have this spot forever, which who knows what will happen, it’ll be someone else. And I promise you, if you’re a diehard WWE fan, you’ll forget about it. It’ll start to just be standard practice and I don’t think it’s going to be as distracting as y’all think.
Paul laughed about the memes people have made, saying he thinks they’re incredible.
Ahead of WrestleMania 40, Paul has been feuding with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in WWE. Paul currently holds the United States title.
WWE and Logan Paul’s Prime have announced a sponsorship deal that places the Prime logo on the center of the ring for premium live events.
Beginning at WrestleMania 40, the Primelogo will be in the center of the ring for all WWE PLEs, the first time that WWE has sold advertising on its ring mat.
A press release trumpets Prime as WWE’s “Official Hydration Drink Partner,” a distinction it also holds for fellow TKO Group Holdings company UFC.
Paul made the announcement himself in a segment on Friday’s WWE SmackDown episode, unveiling a sample of what fans can expect:
Prime co-founder KSI also made an appearance in the SmackDown segment, eating an RKO from Randy Orton. Paul vs. Orton has been teased as a potential WrestleMania 40 bout.
Another aspect of the sponsorship deal will feature WWE talent promoting Prime on social media, in retail and digital ads for the drink, plus Prime placement at WWE events.
The official press release from WWE and PRIME:
WWE & PRIME HYDRATION STRIKE RECORD-SETTING GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FEATURING FIRST-EVER RING MAT BRANDING
WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and Logan Paul and KSI’s widely popular beverage brand PRIME today struck a record-setting global partnership that will see PRIME Hydration become the exclusive “Official Hydration Drink Partner” of WWE and the first partner to ever appear on the center of the WWE ring.
As WWE’s exclusive “Official Hydration Drink Partner,” PRIME Hydration will receive unprecedented exposure and integration within key WWE assets, highlighted by never-before-seen center mat branding at Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania and Money In The Bank.
Further, PRIME Hydration will earn key brand placement within WWE events including WrestleMania XL and Survivor Series, match sponsorships, co-presenter designations at future PLEs, product activations at live events, social support from WWE Superstars across retail and digital activations, and more.
Additionally, PRIME Hydration will be the first official partner to activate across both TKO companies. In January 2023, UFC struck an exclusive global partnership with PRIME Hydration that features a number of branded integrations and entitlements, including the Official Hydration Drink of UFC and Official Partner of the UFC Performance Institute.
Match of the week and performer of the week for the past two weeks
Full coverage of Money in the Bank, the story behind all the matches angles and finishes
Eight confirmed matches for SummerSlam
Ticket sales for SummerSlam and records already broken and other records on the verge of being broken
Live gate for Money in the Bank and a breakdown of the multiple records set
WrestleMania in London and an update on where that stands
Total viewership for the show
PPV numbers for the show and how it compares to other shows plus crossover with AEW Forbidden Door
Story behind the results and angles on the show
The life and times of Darren Drozdov, comments from wrestlers, family, friends and the story behind the accident that changed his life and how he battled back and ended up close with his family.
His brief career in wrestling
Jerry McDevitt removed from the MLW lawsuit and announces his retirement. A look back at the legendary attorney and his history with WWE
What happened with Collision in week three. A detailed breakdown of what was one of the most important TV ratings of the year
WWE & AEW quarterly business, viewership, house shows, what is up and what is down and why
New Japan Strong at Korakuen Hall with four title changes and two brutal matches
Full UFC coverage for the week and business notes
Dragon Gate’s biggest show of the year takes place
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major wrestling shows, including weekly rankings
CMLL runs major event with Romero vs. Volador Jr., and notes on the debut of Mascara Dorada 2.0
Stardom PPV coverage
Notes on the Five-Star Grand Prix tournament
Triple Crown title change and fantastic performance by Yuji Nagata
Father and daughter appear on show together in Japan
What companies in Japan have drawn the most fans so far this year
One of the biggest tag teams of all-time having a special show
Lots more on the Mildred Burke movie that was being filmed this past month and stories about Burke’s legend
Grappl lists its fan voted best matches in history
Matt Morgan talks back surgery
Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame notes for 2023
Stardom star coming to GCW and notes on the deal
Kenny Omega talks AEW video game
Updated ticket sales for All In and where it ranks on the all-time list
Update on Forbidden Door PPV numbers
Jon Moxley goal to become an historical first
Omega talks Will Ospreay match
Ticket sales to the upcoming WWE and AEW shows
Jim Ross updates his condition
Injury updates
Streaming number updates
Merch number updates
International TV ratings
Lots of gimmick fights being talked about
ESPN announce new multi-part documentary
Paul Levesque talks NXT Europe
Plans for net year’s Mania
Gable Steveson issues challenge for another sport he’s never done before
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Sunday Update
We did our weekend show last night with Garrett Gonzales talking the news of the week, Collision, Smackdown, and had Ryan Frederick on to talk last night’s UFC show, which was a very noteworthy show. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night talking Raw as well as all the news of the week.
Sen. Charles Schumer called on the FDA to investigate PRIME Energy drink, the drink that Logan Paul backs and has been pushed on WWE broadcasts as part of its deal with Paul and a sponsorship deal. The story said PRIME has been a big hit over the past year due to the promotion of Paul and KSI. The issue is that PRIME has 200 mg of caffeine in a 12 ounce can, or equivalent to six Coke cans or two Red Bulls. Some doctors have warned of health impact especially with young children. PRIME has said that they clearly label the drink as not recommended for children under 18 and that for kids they recommend PRIME Hydration, which has no caffeine at all. Schumer said that both drinks are marketed similarly so many parents believe they were getting some juice but in reality that are buying kids heavy caffeine.
In Google searches, last night’s UFC show was first for the entire weekend with 500,000. Nothing else involving MMA, boxing or pro wrestling cracked the top 20 any day this past week.
Dan Hooker’s right wrist was broken during his fight with Jalin Turner on the UFC show last night. He still came back to win rounds two and three and take the fight.
Regarding the two main card split decisions, in my opinion the right person won each time and the dissenting scorecards were bad. Ben Cartlidge, who is usually a good judge, gave Alexander Pantoja only round one against Brandon Moreno. My thought was Pantoja clearly won rounds one, three and five, and four was very close. Judge Derek Clearly gave Pantoja rounds one, three and five. Judge Junichiro Kamijo also gave Pantoja one, three and rive. Of media scores, , 57 percent gave Pantoja four of the five rounds and another 29 percent gave him three of the five rounds. 16 percent gave three of the five rounds to Moreno and nobody gave Moreno four rounds. It was a strong fight of the year candidate, nonstop exciting action and Moreno was the most popular fighter on the show and people were living and dying with every blow. Just a great crowd.
In Hooker vs. Turner, I thought it was very clear who won each round. Derek Cleary and Ron McCarthy had the same rounds two and three for Hooker, while Adelaide Byrd gave Turner rounds one and three and the decision. Media scores were 93 percent for Hooker and seven percent for Turner
As far as Israel Adesanya using the N word with an a at the end over and over on Dricus Du Plessis, who is a white South African, to build a probable middleweight title fight later this year, Dana White said, “Who gives a shit. I could care less. This is the fight business.”
Smackdown on 7/21 is scheduled for FS 1 as FOX will be airing a women’s World Cup soccer match that night. (thanks to David Wolf)
FTR vs. Jay White & Juice Robinson was one hell of a match last night They are doing a two of three fall rematch in Calgary on Saturday night with the tag titles at stake.
As far as other matches, heard a lot positive about today’s Will Ospreay vs. Leon Slater match from York Hall in London.
Wrestlenomics reported that the next Saudi Arabia show will be 11/4.
Dillon Danis, a much mocked Bellator fighter was backstage Friday night in Madison Square Garden. He posted a photo of himself with Paul Levesque and claimed “Negotiations.” Much of the top WWE brass was at the show.
Don King is involved in MLW storylines as the person behind the Bomaye fight club. The bomaye chant comes from the chant for Muhammad Ali in his Zaire fight with George Foreman, and Don King was the promoter of the fight. The story on how King got involved with MLW.
The final episode of the season of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, focusing on the Anoa’i and Fatu families, airs tonight on A&E at 9 p.m. Stone Cold Takes on America is at 10 p.m.
Wrestlers Trey Miguel and Ashley D’Amboise were engaged this weekend.
Gail Kim and Gisele Shaw were the first team eliminated in Amazing Race Canada on CTV.
There is an ROH PPV show in 12 days in Trenton, NJ. Right now the only match announced is Claudio Castagnoli vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH title. They taped ROH TV last night and nothing was shot as far as angles other than Evil Uno vs. Stu Grayson.
After its PPV show last night, MLW announced its next PPV show would be 9/3 from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Condolences to New Japan’s Fred Rosser, whose father passed away at the age of 98.
RevPro from earlier today at York Hall in London:
Conor Mills b Robbie X to win the cruiserweight title (said to be great)
Trent Seven b Sha Samuels
Luke Jacobs b Tom Lawlor
Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster b Greedy South to win the tag titles
Alex Windsor won four-way to become Rev Pro champion over Dani Luna, Skye Smitson & ?
Zack Sabre Jr. b Jordan Breaks- Ricky Knight Jr laid out Sabre after the match
Will Ospreay b Leon Slater (said to be incredible). Dan Moloney attacked Slater after the match
Michael Oku b Great O’Khan to win the British heavyweight title. This was O’Khan’s first loss ever in the U.K., which he’s been going to for years (thanks to Adam Cousins)
In potential next fights, Israel Adesanya is a -330 favorite to retain over Dricus Du Plessis and Alexander Volkanovski is listed at -240 for a potential featherweight title defense against Ilia Topuria.
Other Notes
With Steve Maclin injured, Bully Ray will announce his new tag team partner for the match against Scott D’Amore & PCO on Saturday’s Slammiversary show tomorrow morning on his Sirius radio show.
Tyler Breeze won the NGW Tennessee championship in his first match in recent memory. He used the name Tyler Breeze.
Southern States Wrestling on Tuesday runs at the Jefferson Count Fair in Jefferson City, TN, at 7 p.m., with a free show with fair admission and a meet and greet before the show with former area legend Ron Fuller. They also run 7/23 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Kingsport, TN, and 9/7 in Manchester, T as part of the Coffee County Fair with shows at 6 and 8:15 p.m. The second show will be an all-women’s show. Both are free admission with a ticket to the fair.
Demand Lucha on 7/23 at Lee’s Place in Toronto featuring Gringo Loco vs. Bendito for the Premier championship plus Bryan Keith vs. Effy.
West Coast Pro from last night in San Francisco: Jiah Jewell & JT Thorne & Kubes & Serza b Watson & Action Braxton & Ice Williams & Fresco, Robert Martyr b Kevin Blackwood, Riko Kawahata & Maria b Nicole Savoy & Johnnie Robbie, Bryan Keith b Mao, Jeff Cobb b Alpha Zo, Kushida & Kevin Knight & Starboy Charlie b Danny Rose & Rickey Gomez & Adria Quest, Masha Slamovich b Trish Adora to keep the women’s title Titus Alexander b Vinnie Massaro to keep the West Coast Pro title in nearly 30:00. Booker Chris Hero said Alexander would defend next against Kevin Night on 8/11. Chigusa Nagayo came out after the women’s match in a surprise, saying she’s been studying English in Japan and wants Slamovich to defend against Takumi Iroha.(thanks to Shannon Walsh)
IPW on 7/15 in Kalamazoo, MI at the Wax Wings Brewing Company and 7/16 in Ypsilante,MI at Fowling Warehouse. Paul London appears 8/6 in Hamtramck, MI at Fowling Warehouse. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Richard Holliday beat Crowbar, Leo Sparrow and Bull James in a tournament last night in West Milford, NJ, to win the vacant ISPW title. They run 9/29 in Totowa, NJ, with Rey Calitri vs Super Crazy.
Nyla Rose of AEW worked last night’s Tokyo Joshi Pro show at the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo beating Miu Watanabe with a power bomb. It was her first match back in Japan since the start of AEW. Eve champion Miyu Yamashita beat Sawyer Wreck.
Stardom sold out Korakuen Hall earlier today: Fukigen Death won three-way over Hina and Ram Kaichow, Mei Seira b Momo Kohgo, Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe & Ruaka b AZM & Lady C & Miyu Amasaki, Hazuki & Koguma b Hanan & Saya Iida, Mai Sakurai & Thekla b Nanae Takahashi & Hanako, Ami Sohrei & Saki Kashima b Starlight Kid & Rina, Natsupoi & Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori b Mina Shirakawa & Mariah May & Waka Tsukiyama, Tam Nakano & Mayu Iwatani & Syuri & Giulia b Saya Kamitani & Maika & Mirai & Suzu Suzuki in an elimination match when Giulia threw Maika over the top rope.
Fuego del Sol said that he will be opening up a wrestling school in Oklahoma.
