Monday, March 10, 2008

RAW - Pepsi vs. Pro Wrestling

As we enter our second installment of "Soda and Wrestling" articles, we come across the debut of an all new Health Cola - "Pepsi Raw"

Pepsi Raw is said to be made from natural ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives, colors, flavorings or sweeteners. In fact, Pepsi Raw has only natural ingredients including (but not limited to) apple extract, coffee leaf cane sugar and sparkling water.

Is it any good? So far the buzz is that Pepsi Raw lighter in color and less fizzy than other cola brands. (Sounds like slightly carbonated molasses to me. Ever drink a semi-flat soda? Belaughghgh....)

Is it good FOR you? Pepsi claims it's move to cane sugar (instead of corn syrup) has reduced the calorie content from around 126 calories per serving to about. That ain't all bad... (apparently, Jones Soda made the same move previously, so at least it's a tested theory as well!)

However, if you do not live in the UK, you do not get to try Pepsi Raw. Right now, you can only order it in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool.

So as Pepsi Raw challenges other diet sodas across the planet, what does this have to do with Pro Wrestling?

Well, Pepsi is a Global brand that eveyrone recognizes.
Vince McMahon's WWE is a Global brand that almost everyone recognizes, but far fewer people take interest in.

Right?

Well, type "Pepsi Raw" in Google, and you'll find 49,300 matches
Type "Monday Night Raw" in Google, and you'll find 591,00 matches.
(Raw is the flagship television show of the WWE)


About once a year, Monday Night Raw is brought to you from London, England...and viewship is very high. Right now, Pepsi Raw is brought to you ONLY in England...and drinkership is not very high.

Pepsi Raw ads feature naked girls!
(See there ad here: http://www.yumsugar.com/1040398)

Monday Night Raw features ALMOST naked girls!
(see the Sable Bikini contest here: http://www.owow.com/Ringsidewith/RawAction/04-21-03/Swimsuit.htm)

Pepsi Raw is a watered down version of the original Pepsi, and it's good for you.
Monday Night Raw is an edgier, higher-impact version of the original televised wrestling shows of old. And many say it's really NOT good for you.

CM Punk drinks Pepsi.
You buy buy Pepsi at Monday Night Raw live events.

Monday Night Raw first debuted in 1993 and has been running strong ever since. There have never been re-runs aired and the show is rarely pre-empted.

Pepsi Raw has been around for a few months, and unless the British rise up and drink it by the gallon there is no garantee that you will see it again in 14 months let along 14 years.

So what do we have? Which is the more powerful brand extension?
As of this writing, Monday Night Raw kicks Pepsi Raw's ass.

But with a little training, and some moxy, that can change any day...




To read about all things wrestling, go to www.Squidoo.com/FullContact

To read about all things Soad, go to www.Squidoo.com/CokevsPepsi

Friday, March 7, 2008

Pepsi and Pro Wrestling - Perfect for a Punk

Once again I get the opportunity to combine my 2 favorite hobbies!

It's not everyday I get to write about Soda AND Pro Wrestling...and I have to sheepishly admit that I'm not altogether sure how I missed this topic in the first place.

I mean, I thought I had hit PayDirt when I stumbled upon the Dusty Rhodes Mello Yello commercial on YouTube! But how did I forget to write about a very popular pro wrestler who lives and dies by his can of Pepsi?!

Of course, I'm talking about CM Punk.
Once a superstar in Ring of Honor, he today tries to bring credibility to the ECW brand of the WWE. (Don't get me started on how Vince has intentionally ruined ECW. To read about the 'real' ECW, click here.)

Punk has a tattoo of the Pepsi Logo tattoo on his left shoulder. Since Punk does not drink alcohol, he is a avid Pepsi drinker and refers to the soda not only via the tattoo, but as the inspiration behind his 2 signature moves...The Pepsi Plunge and the Pepsi Twist.
(Funny he should use the Pepsi Twist...just like the soda it's innovative, yet not very popular!)

According to Wikipedia: "He got the tattoo as a joke, as many fraternity members in his school were getting beer logos tattooed on their body, so Punk, a keen Pepsi drinker, chose to receive a Pepsi tattoo to emphasize his straight edge beliefs. The tattoo is also a reference to former Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker, who had a Coca-Cola tattoo and explained this by saying "I like Coca-Cola". When people inquire about Punk's Pepsi tattoo, he often replies "I like Pepsi" in a similar fashion."

Who would have ever thought that my 2 favorite hobbies would combine in the embodiment of 1 human being? Good God! If they ever come out with a female adult film star names "Hostess CupCakes" my life will be complete...



To read about all things Pro Wrestling, go to www.Squidoo.com/FullContact

To read about all things Soda, go to www.Squidoo.com/CokevsPepsi

To read about adult film stars...CAH MAHN! This is the INTERNET! You can read about that ANYWHERE!!!!