Witness the World’s Most Intense Gala in Star-Studded Campaign for WWE 2K20 Video Game

The company has also tendered the careers of some of our biggest cultural figures, from the late Andre the Giant to action film staple Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. While it’s fun (and stressful) to watch a person leap backward off of a ladder onto their unfortunate foe, what makes the sport so worthwhile is the slowly percolating tension between opponents—ire that builds over the course of weeks, months and even years.

An enthralled viewer should (hopefully) walk away believing that Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan—if they ever had the opportunity to really face off, that is—positively despise each other. But that certainly shouldn’t stop them from enjoying a lovely evening together.

In a spot for video game WWE 2K20 titled “Ballroom Brawl” by agency barrettSF, some of the biggest personalities in WWE Wrestling have been gathered for an ornate soiree at a fancy mansion. Donning their finest tuxedos and loveliest gowns, the wrestling legends fake pleasantries in front of snapping cameras. But as soon as the lights stop flashing for even a moment, stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair share a famously intense staredown while Austin and Hogan’s strained greetings are enough to stop any heart for a brief moment.

It comes to a head when famed manager and commentator Paul Heyman accidentally knocks a dessert on Roman Reigns—an incident that could literally be washed away with just a quick trip to the bathroom. But this is the WWE, and Reigns’ stony glare signals certain payback just before the scene quickly cuts to shots of the game in motion.

The spot isn’t about the expected brawl itself, but the promise of one. The theatrics that lead up to the body slams are as famous as the actual acts themselves, and it’s integral to the fun of the sport. Also, it’s a great way for fans to imagine some of the biggest names in the sport going head-to-head, a long-standing draw for the WWE gaming franchise.

“Fans love debating and discussing the biggest matches that never happened,” said barrettSF creative director Todd Eisner. “Like Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin, those two never actually had a one-on-one match. We wanted to show that the only place it can happen is in WWE 2K20.”

CREDITS:

Agency: barrettSF
Jamie Barrett – Founder, Executive Creative Director
Patrick Kelly – Founder, Managing Director
Conor Duignan – Head of Production
Todd Eisner – Creative Director
Brad Kayal – Associate Creative Director
Phil Fattore – Associate Creative Director
Byron Wages – Associate Creative Director
Charlotte Dugoni – Broadcast Producer
Katherine Bruens – Broadcast Producer
William de Ryk – Account Director
Julia Ortinez-Hansen – Account Supervisor

2K Team:
Melissa Bell – SVP, Head of Global Marketing
Sami Thessman – VP, Global Marketing
Chris Snyder – VP, Marketing
Bryce Yang – Global Director of Sports Marketing
Ramon Aranda – Manager, Sports Marketing
Robert Hearon – Associate Manager, Sports Marketing

Production Company: Little Ugly
Carlos Lopez Estrada – Director/Executive Producer
Kimberly Stuckwisch– Founding Partner/Executive Producer
Neil Garvey – Partner/CFO/Executive Producer
Melora Donoghue – Executive Producer
Line Producer – Sloane Skala
Robby Baumgartner – Director of Photography
Tyler Jensen – Producer Designer
Gabrielle Rosenberg – Costume Designer

Editorial Company: Final Cut
Chris Amos – Editor
JD Smyth – Editor
Evan Bluestein – Assistant Editor
Suzy Ramirez – Executive Producer
Lauren Holmes – Director of Sales
Ana Orrach – Post Producer

Sound Design/Mix: Barking Owl
Morgan Johnson – Sound Designer
Mike Franklin – Mixer
Kelly Bayett – Creative Director
KC Dossett – Producer

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