Jesse Ventura has drawn the attention of White House.
The WWE Hall of Famer has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, and he did not mince his words when he recently appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored. One remark of the former Minnesota governor that received mainstream attention was his comparison of Trump’s July 2024 assassination attempt to a wrestling blade job.
The Trump administration seemed to have noticed the publicity the comments received. In a statement released to US Weekly and other outlets on the matter, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said that only a fool would believe such a story, without naming Jesse Ventura:
“On that tragic day in Butler, Pennsylvania, we tragically lost an American hero, Corey Comperatore, who selflessly laid down his life to protect those around him. President Trump will never forget Corey and his beautiful family.
On that dark day, God spared President Trump’s life by a miraculous millimeter. President Trump is standing stronger than ever as he continues to ‘fight, fight, fight’ for the American people. Only a fool would believe otherwise.”
50-year-old Corey Comperatore was killed while attending Donald Trump’s campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks fired eight rounds from a rifle, in an attempt to kill Donald Trump.
Apart from this, Jesse Ventura also questioned the US President’s place in WWE Hall of Fame, and suggested that he was open to a wrestling match between them. You can check out his remarks on the matter here.
WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura recently made some bold claims about President Donald Trump.
Ventura Doubts Trump’s Assasination Attempt
Ventura has discussed several political topics with host Piers Morgan. He questioned Trump’s legitimacy, including suggesting the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump was staged. The wrestling veteran continues to position himself as a vocal critic of the current administration.
Morgan said at one point, “To be fair to Trump, when he got shot, he got back up and said, ‘Fight, fight, fight!’”
To that, Ventura replied, “Oh yeah, right, right, right. You ever hear of a blade job?”
The former WWE star then referred to when a wrestler cuts themselves on purpose during a match to make it look like the opponent injured them.
“A blade?” Morgan said. “What, you think it was fake?”
Ventura insisted, “I don’t know. Where’s his scar today?”
As Morgan pointed out that someone was shot and killed by the shooting at the rally, Ventura stated, of Trump, “Come on, Piers. You’re gonna tell me this guy’s a big hero now?”
Morgan then confirmed that he thought Trump was heroic, to which Ventura said, “Well, then he accomplished what he wanted out of you guys.”
Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura is ready to get in the ring with Donald Trump.
The former governor of Minnesota has been a vocal critic of the sitting US president. The wrestling veteran did not mince his words again when he recently appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
He was asked about a 2004 clip where Jesse Ventura had said that we might need a wrestler in the White House in 2008. The 74-year-old explained that he was talking about a real wrestler, and questioned Donald Trump’s place in the WWE Hall of Fame:
“Donald Trump does not belong in the wrestling Hall of Fame. He never earned it. You know what I had to do to get into the pro wrestling Hall of Fame?
At one point in my career I wrestled 63 consecutive nights in a row. That’s how you get into the Hall of Fame. When I was referring to putting a wrestler in the White House, I was talking about me not him!”
Jesse Ventura claimed that Trump got in the Hall of Fame because he stopped an investigation against Vince McMahon involving ‘sexual stuff.’ The wrestler-turned-politician then teased working on something that could send him ‘straight to Washington’ for a face-off with Trump. When asked if this showdown will be a physical one, the Vietnam War veteran suggested that he is open to the possibility:
“No, but if he wants it, he’s in the hall of fame. Let’s both get in the ring. He’s in the hall of fame, isn’t he? Even though he’s never, ever had a match.”
The former champion also questioned the legitimacy of the assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, suggesting that his ear being shot was actually a blade job.
WWE legend Mick Foley has publicly endorsed Jesse Ventura\’s recent criticism of Donald Trump, sharing his support via Instagram in a post titled \”I STAND WITH JESSE.\”
In his statement, Foley expressed \”wholehearted\” agreement with Ventura\’s remarks about Trump and his administration. \”We can\’t keep letting Trump and his gutless yes men lie to us over and over,\” Foley wrote, urging fans to exercise their freedom of speech and speak out against what he perceives as political dishonesty.
Proud to see the great Jesse Ventura speaking out in Minnesota,\” Foley wrote. \”I agree wholeheartedly with “The Body” here, and I don’t know if anyone could have said it better. We can’t keep letting Trump and his gutless yes men lie to us over and over. America needs to be better than this — we have to move on from this era of domestic and international cruelty. I would encourage everyone to be like the former Governor here, and use your freedom of speech to stand against injustice.
Ventura, a WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota governor, recently delivered pointed criticism of Trump in a widely circulated video, characterizing him as a threat to democratic norms and encouraging the public to reject his influence.
This marks a continuation of Foley\’s willingness to engage in political discourse, having previously criticized Trump\’s immigration policies and distanced himself from WWE over the company\’s political associations. Both Foley and Ventura share a history of transitioning from professional wrestling careers into political activism, lending additional credibility to their commentary within the wrestling community.
The public stance highlights the increasing trend of prominent wrestling figures using social media platforms to voice political opinions, potentially creating divisions among fanbase segments while reflecting broader cultural debates about celebrity activism and political engagement.
Another WWE Hall of Famer has taken a stand against Donald Trump.
Hardcore Legend Mick Foley had recently announced the end of his relationship with WWE in light of the company\’s relationship with the current US administration.
During a recent interview with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, fellow wrestling legend and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, also revealed his thoughts on the recent happenings within the country. Ventura, who comes from a family of army veterans, accused the Republican Party of destroying the Constitution.
The 74-year-old noted that he took an oath to defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic alike, and he sees the Republicans as the latter after January 6:
\”I’ll give you a quote: we’re a third-world country now. You want to know why? I’m an expert. I’ve been to them. I spent 17 months in Southeast Asia while the draft dodger was playing golf. I know we’re a third-world country because in third-world countries, the military does police work in cities. I was in the Philippines the day Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. Overnight, there was a guy with a machine gun on every corner. That’s what happens in a dictatorship.\”
Jesse Venture was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, among other accolades, for his time in the US Navy from 1969 to 1975. The wrestling legend brought his record up when asked about Donald Trump as president. The former NWA star refused to address the President by name, calling him out as a \’draft dodging coward\’:
\”You mean the draft-dodging coward? I don’t even call him by name. When it was his time to serve his country, he did what rich white boys did. I wasn’t a rich white boy. I grew up in South Minneapolis. Most of my friends are Vietnam veterans. We had to go. The rich ones didn’t. And now he’s going to tell me what courage is?”
The wrestler turned politician was most recently featured on WWE programming on John Cena\’s retirement show at the December 13 Saturday Night\’s Main Event.
Jesse \”The Body\” Ventura is set to return to WWE this Saturday for Saturday Night\’s Main Event in Washington, D.C., according to WrestleVotes.
The WWE Hall of Famer\’s return comes as a surprise after he was absent from the November 1 edition of SNME. Reports indicated Ventura\’s one-year contract had expired following a controversial moment during the May 2025 broadcast, where he criticized the finish of Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest\’s steel cage match on live commentary.
Despite the fallout, WWE has brought Ventura back for one of its most significant events of the year. Saturday Night\’s Main Event XLII will feature John Cena\’s retirement match against Gunther, who won the \”Last Time Is Now\” tournament to earn the opportunity.
The event airs December 13 at 8 PM ET on Peacock in the United States and YouTube internationally from the Capital One Arena.
Saturday Night\’s Main Event XLII Card:
John Cena vs. Gunther (Cena\’s Final Match)
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Oba Femi (WWE Championship)
Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. Je\’Von Evans & Leon Slater (WWE World Tag Team Championship)
Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura was part of the latest WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event, but his role was far smaller than what fans had expected. Instead of commentating as seen in previous SNME shows, Ventura was part of an opening skit with Joe Tessitore and wasn\’t used after that.
Fans should expect to see less of Ventura going forward, according to a report from Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ventura\’s commentary role at the May 2025 edition of Saturday Night\’s Main Event was seen as a \”fiasco\” and “the call was made not to let him announce.\”
Ventura\’s \”fiasco\” saw him serve on commentary in May during the steel cage match between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest. During the match, Ventura criticized talent being able to win by leaving the cage, a long-standing rule of cage matches. Declaring on the show \”what kind of BS is that?!\” Ventura\’s criticism of WWE\’s presentation has affected his role going forward.
Whether in wrestling or politics, Ventura has never kept quiet about his views. While fans can expect \’The Body\’ on WWE shows, don\’t expect him to be handed a live mic for too long.
Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura made his return to WWE as part of the latest Saturday Night\’s Main Event, adding a nostalgic edge to the show. Ventura called the action for the steel cage match between Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre though his commentary caught a lot of attention.
Ventura spoke over Lilian Garcia while the ring announcer was explaining the rules of the contest. Fightful Select reports that Ventura was supposed to remain quiet like the rest of the announce team during this part of the show, though that didn\’t happen.
The WWE Hall of Famer should have paid attention, as he would have learned that victory in a cage match can come via pin, submission, or by escaping the cage. When Damian Priest chose the latter method to win, it earned the anger of Ventura.
\”Wait a minute, how do you win going out the door? I thought you had to go over the top! What kind of BS is that? He can walk out the door?!\”
Fightful Select adds that there was a lot of laughs backstage at Ventura\’s rant but no-one was upset. With Ventura expected at more Saturday Night\’s Main Event shows, fans can expect plenty more of the Body on the mic.
WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event once again had a nostalgic flair, with several legends of the ring appearing at the event. During the show, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk Jr. and \’Hacksaw\’ Jim Duggan were spotlighted in the crowd.
Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura was part of the show after making his return to WWE with last month\’s Saturday Night\’s Main Event special. The WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota governor was excited to see Bron Breakker and Sheamus go to war for the Intercontinental Championship.
Alundra Blayze was also in the crowd, with the WWF Women\’s Championship. Blayze infamously dropped the title in the trash after she moved to WCW in 1995.
The Brainbusters Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were shown following Jacob Fatu’s assault of Braun Strowman. The pair had previously been a part of AEW.
Mark Henry, another AEW alum, was also in the crowd at Saturday Night\’s Main Event. Henry\’s son Jacob recently signed with WWE, leaving fans excited to see what\’s to come for the young powerhouse.
The appearance of these legends, alongside the in-ring action of the modern-day roster, provided an exciting night for the WWE Universe. With four Saturday Night\’s Main Events planned per years, fans can expect many more nostalgic moments featuring legends of the past on WWE programming in the future.
There had been speculations about the status of the wrestling veteran despite being praised for his work at the last show in December, especially after the recent return of Hulk Hogan. Ventura however, powerbombed all rumors with a post on on X, confirming that he will in fact return to the airwaves as scheduled.
\”So very excited for Saturday Night\’s Main Event this weekend in San Antonio. The Body returns to Texas this Saturday Night!\”
Jesse Ventura signed a new legends contract with WWE and returned to the promotion last year, putting his long-standing grudge against the company aside. At the time it was announced that the veteran wrestler and broadcast personality will be calling 4 shows for the company every year.
His status for the January 2025 event became questionable again however, when WWE announced a new partnership with Hulk Hogan\’s beer company and brought him in for an appearance at Raw\’s Netflix premiere on January 6.
The former governor of Minnesota has long been at odds with Hogan since learning that the latter exposed his efforts of forming a wrestling union to Vince McMahon in the late 80s.
Many believed that Hogan will be making an appearance at the NBC exclusive event after his return but after Ventura\’s announcement, it\’s safe to say the Hulkster will not be at the show.
This past Saturday night, Jesse “The Body” Ventura made a triumphant return to WWE as a commentator for Saturday Night’s Main Event. After decades away from the company, Ventura reflected on his experience in a heartfelt post on his Substack. He shared his thoughts on stepping back into the world of wrestling, connecting with the new generation of talent, and his satisfaction with WWE’s new leadership.
Ventura’s return was a nostalgic and meaningful moment for the wrestling legend, who credits his son, Tyrel Ventura, for helping make it happen. “First of all, it was truly an honor to come back home to the WWE,” he wrote. “I have to thank my son, Tyrel, for putting the wheels in motion last summer. It’s been such an incredible feeling to return to the place where my career essentially began or, more accurately, really took off from.”
A New Era in WWE Leadership
In his post, Ventura highlighted the fresh energy he felt backstage, contrasting it with the WWE of his era. “The biggest thing I noticed was how different the energy and vibe is backstage,” he said. “You don’t feel a battle of egos like you often did back in my day. From the executive level to the locker room level, you instead feel a very strong sense of teamwork and creativity.”
He attributed this transformation to the leadership of Paul “Triple H” Levesque and WWE President Nick Khan. Ventura was full of praise for their efforts to foster a collaborative and innovative atmosphere:
“I think Paul, Nick Khan, and the team at WWE are creating a truly incredible and unique environment unlike any I have seen before in the world of wrestling.”
The New Generation
Ventura also enjoyed reconnecting with the wrestling world by mentoring and engaging with the current roster. “I loved being backstage and sharing stories, advice, and laughs with some of this generation’s new talent,” he shared.
His return marks a significant chapter in his relationship with WWE. After being away for years due to his tumultuous history with Vince McMahon, Ventura is clearly delighted with the company’s new direction.
Jesse Ventura loved being part of the Saturday Night\’s Main Event.
WWE decided to opt for the retro vibes when they revived Saturday Night\’s Main Event as part of their new deal with NBC. Apart from using sets and costumes inspired by the classic shows, they also brought in legendary wrestler and broadcast personality Jesse Ventura to be a part of the event.
The former governor of Minnesota reflected on his experience at the event in a new post on his Substack. He claimed to have been truly honored to be back home and thanked his son for putting the wheels for it in motion:
\”First of all it was truly an honor to come back home to the WWE. First off, I have to thank my son, Tyrel Ventura, for putting the wheels in motion last summer. It’s been such an incredible feeling to return to the place where my career essentially began or, more accurately, really took off from.\”
Jesse Ventura was paired with Joe Tessitore as part of a special panel and he made multiple appearances during the event. The legendary wrestler was also on commentary for the main event match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
Writing about the feeling behind the scenes, he praised the new WWE regime for creating a positive environment. He claimed that the difference in energy and vibe backstage was the biggest thing he noticed during his visit:
\”You don’t feel a battle of egos like you often did back in my day. From the executive level to the locker room level you instead feel a very strong sense of teamwork and creativity. Everyone is running in the same direction. Fuelled by a desire to see everyone succeed, not just themselves.\”
The wrestling veteran noted that this positive change speaks volumes about the leadership of Triple H, Nick Khan, and the rest of the management team. He concluded his post saying that he loved being backstage sharing stories and having a laugh with the new generation of talent.
This return was not a onetime thing. WWE has already announced the date for the next edition of Saturday Night\’s Main Event and Ventura has confirmed that he\’ll be appearing at the show set for early 2025.
Jesse Ventura is back with WWE under a new Legends deal, and the Hall of Famer\’s family played a huge role in his surprising return. Speaking to the New York Post, the former Governor of Minnesota shared his reasoning for his WWE comeback.
\”I did it selfishly for my kids. I’m 73 now. I ain’t gonna be around forever. I want to position it where if anybody makes money off my name, I want my kids to have a piece of it.”
Ventura\’s return to WWE has certainly come as a surprise, given his tumultuous past with the promotion. For decades, Ventura claimed that Hulk Hogan tattled to Vince McMahon that Jesse was mounting a campaign to unionize the locker room, souring his relationship with McMahon. Years later, Ventura would successfully sue WWE and McMahon for royalties stemming from his commentary being used on Home Video.
With McMahon gone from WWE, Ventura has been welcomed back with open arms, including appearing on episodes of Raw and SmackDown in recent months. After \”Hell froze over,\” Ventura\’s future, and the future of his family, looks very bright for the WWE legend.
Jesse Ventura won\’t be restrained at this weekend\’s Saturday Night\’s Main Event show, in what will be the first of several appearances for \’The Body.\’ Speaking on the Bill Simmons podcast, Ventura promised to hold nothing back when he returns to commentary for the December 14, event.
“Handcuffs are off, I can say anything I want about anyone. I am very excited about it.\”
Ventura\’s role on commentary at this week\’s Saturday Night\’s Main Event is a throwback to the original shows of the 1980s, where he also donned the headset. On the podcast, Ventura shared that his appearance this Saturday won\’t be a one-off, as he\’s set to be a part of the show on January 25, 2025, and beyond.
\”I don’t discuss finances, but it’s acceptable, and I’ll be doing four a year.”
The WWE Hall of Famer won\’t be the only throwback to WWE\’s past fans can expect at Saturday Night\’s Main Event. WWE has promised to bring \”that old school look and feel to Nassau Coliseum\” for the show. PW Insider reports that the broadcast will reflect this retro theme, similar to the original SNME shows.
Ventura was at the December 7, edition of WWE SmackDown in his native Minnesota, and with a brand new WWE Legends contract, is ready to work closely with the promotion.
WWE has announced the return of Jesse “The Body” Ventura to the commentary table for Saturday Night’s Main Event, set to air live on December 14, 2024, at 8/7c on NBC. The retro-themed event will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, honoring the legacy of the original series, which debuted nearly 40 years ago.
Ventura, a WWE Hall of Famer known for his sharp wit and charismatic commentary, was a staple of the show during its 1980s run. His return marks his first appearance on WWE programming in over a decade.
Triple H addressed Ventura\’s WWE homecoming, welcoming back and touting his credentials on the beloved series. He wrote on X, \”Nobody reps Saturday Night’s Main Event like \’The Governor.\’ Welcome home, Jesse.\”
Ventura hyped his upcoming WWE return on social media, writing, \”That\’s right the Governing Body returns to Saturday Night\’s Main Event! So excited to get back into the broadcast booth. A very big thank you to TripleH, WWE and my son Tyrel for helping make my return a reality.\”
Return of The Body
Ventura’s comeback follows his signing of a WWE Legends deal earlier this year, a move months in the making. He was previously seen backstage at Monday Night Raw, fueling speculation about his involvement in upcoming events.
For longtime fans, Ventura’s return is a highlight, promising a mix of his signature wit and historic storytelling. WWE is pulling out all the stops to make this an unforgettable tribute to one of wrestling’s most iconic shows.
The December 14 special is expected to celebrate the original Saturday Night’s Main Event era, with rumors of appearances by other WWE legends like Hulk Hogan and Wendy Richter adding to the nostalgia.
Match Card for Saturday Night\’s Main Event (12/14)
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. IYO SKY
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Finn Bálor
Jesse Ventura’s first assignment as a contracted ‘WWE Legend’ is scheduled for this December. Ventura will appear at Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME), according to the Wrestling Observer. The event will siumcast live on NBC and Peacock on Saturday, December 14 from the historic Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York.
The upcoming SNME promises a nostalgic atmosphere, highlighted by the use of the classic 1984 hit “Obsession” by Animotion in event advertisements.
With Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30 marking WWE’s final premium live event of 2024, SNME will take center stage as the company’s biggest December showcase. The inclusion of Jesse “The Body” Ventura guarantees that fans are in for something special.
December 14 will be a homecoming for WWE, Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Ventura. The former Minnesota Governor was on commentary with Vince McMahon for the very first SNME, held on May 10, 1985, at the Nassau Coliseum.
WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura is officially back with the company. The former Governor of Minnesota has signed a WWE Legends contract and is looking ahead to some fun projects in the near future. Ventura posted a video on his Substack page explaining why he\’s back with WWE after two decades.
\”Hell has frozen over. Yes, hell has frozen over. I\’m back in the WWE as a legend, I\’ve gone through negotiations, we\’ve reached agreements and I feel very good about. I\’m 73 years old now and my life has gone full circle.\”
– Jesse Ventura on finishing his career with WWE
Ventura says he earned his first fame and fortune in the wrestling industry, and although he achieved success in Hollywood and in politics, he likes the idea of coming back to wrestling in the twilight of his life and finishing things off as a pro wrestler.
Jesse Ventura was an active wrestler for WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation) from 1984 to 1986, but was forced to retire from the ring due to health issues. He served as an announcer from 1985 through 1990.
WWE Legends Contracts
WWE Legends contracts honor former wrestlers who have made significant contributions to the company. These contracts ensuring post-retirement income for alumni and Hall of Famers, while also allowing WWE to utilize their likenesses for merchandise and promotional activities.
Vince McMahon may have approved some unique angles during his time, but the idea of a WWE political party proved too much for the billionaire. On a recent edition of the Insight podcast, WWE Hall of Famer/Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura shared the angle he pitched to McMahon.
\”I went out to him and I said \’Vince, we can do an angle right now. You can come out with the WWE and say we\’re going to have our own nominee for president, the WWE party, the World Wrestling Party.\’\”
Ventura\’s idea included getting ballot access in all 50 states, while on-screen, McMahon would tease that he\’d be the party\’s official candidate in the race to the White House. Just as McMahon would announce his candidacy, he\’d be interrupted by \’The Body.\’
\”I\’m a governor. I\’m the natural WWE candidate for president, then you do a schmoz where Vince and I get two wrestlers to represent us. Whoever wins gets the nomination.\”
The match would see Ventura\’s representative get the win, confirming Jesse as the official Presidential candidate representing the WWE Party. When asked why the angle didn\’t play out, Ventura shared that McMahon didn\’t bother to tell him \’no.\’
\”He didn\’t even bother to call me to turn me down. I thought that was the most disrespectful thing… If he did just called me and said, Jesse, it\’s too crazy. It\’s too hokey. I don\’t think we can do it. I would have said fine. I gave it a try. But he didn\’t even call me back.\”
While the WWE Party never left the drawing board, McMahon would be represented in a high-profile match with something on the line at WrestleMania 23. The \’Battle of the Billionaires\’ saw Donald Trump\’s representative Bobby Lashley defeat McMahon\’s Umaga, resulting in McMahon having his head shaved bald.
The late Antonio Inoki was elected twice to Japan\’s House of Councillors while The Great Sasuke was elected to Iwate\’s Prefectural Assembly in 2003. In 2017, Linda McMahon, who lost two senate campaigns, was appointed Administrator, Small Business Administration, under President Trump.
Perhaps the most internationally recognized wrestler to enter office is known more for his political career than his time in the ring. Before his rise to political history, Abraham Lincoln wrestled in his teens and reportedly trained in catch-as-catch-can wrestling.
The future President held championship gold by the age of 21. According to eyewitness accounts at the time, a frustrated Lincoln once lifted an opponent who was fighting dirty by the neck, raised him in the air, and slammed him into the ground, a move not too different from today\’s Chokeslam.
Harold von Schmidt for Esquire in 1949 — Photo from “New Salem, a History of Lincoln’s Alma Mater”, Joseph M. Di Cola
Ventura himself served as Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. The WWE Hall of Famer has teased running for President in the past but has never gone much further than that. He has endorsed the Harris/Walz ticket for this November\’s election.
WWE Hall of Famer Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura has reached a new contract with WWE that just needs a handful of signatures to be made official. On the Insight podcast, Ventura was asked about his status with the company.
\”I can say this, contracts have been written, contracts have been agreed upon. And all it requires is two signatures, one from them, and one from me. And I will be back with the legends.\”
When asked if there\’s a time frame on when this deal will be finalized, Ventura added that it\’ll be \”fairly quickly\” and agreed with the age-old adage that \”time is money.\” The WWE Hall of Famer agreed with the suggestion that this new contract has been helped by the exit of Vince McMahon.
Jesse Ventura and WWE
Ventura has had a contested relationship with WWE in the past, stemming from his attempts to form a wrestling union. Vince McMahon was informed of these plans by Hulk Hogan, according to Ventura, who promptly fired \’The Body\’ from the company.
Ventura\’s relationship with McMahon was also soured when Jesse sued for royalties in 1991 when he learned that other non-featured performers received royalties for videotape sales. Jesse had previously been told that only featured performers received such royalties. Ventura won $801,333 on a jury verdict from Titan Sports and the judge awarded him $8,625 in back pay for all non-video WWF merchandising.
Ventura was at the July 29, 2024, edition of WWE RAW, which took place in his beloved Minnesota. Borrowing a line from CM Punk, Ventura said that \”hell froze over\” again, referencing his previous issues with the company.
Ventura has decades of experience in the wrestling industry and has been able to make a name for himself in politics and entertainment out of the ring. With this new contract seemingly finalized, fans can expect to see much more of \’The Body\’ in WWE projects.
WWE Hall of Famer & former Governor of Minnesota Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura recently sat down with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC to talk politics and the U.S. presidential election. Voters will go to the polls this November to elect either Vice President Kamala Harris or Former President Donald Trump as the next President of the United States.
On Tim Walz
Tim Walz is the current Governor of Minnesota and the running mate of Harris. In the interview, Ventura recalled Walz seeking his advice following his first victory in the race to be governor.
\”He called me and set up a being with me to pick my brain. No other Governor has ever done that, Republican or Democrat but Tim Walz did. And what that showed me, Tim Walz is the kind of guy who\’s out for success and he will reach across the aisle.\”
Ventura also spoke about JD Vance\’s attacks on Walz, as the running mate of Trump has accused Walz of \’stolen valor\’ despite Walz\’s twenty years as an officer in the U.S. Army. Ventura explained that after twenty years, an officer can retire when they want to. Ventura added that, as a former Marine, he knows what it means to show respect to those who have served and that Vance should behave like a Marine.
On Hulk Hogan Endorsing Donald Trump
At the Republican National Convention, Hulk Hogan publicly endorsed Donald Trump and called the former President his hero. Ventura chuckled to himself as Sharpton reminded him of Hogan\’s endorsement and recalled Hogan\’s attempts to block Ventura\’s effort to form a union in pro wrestling.
\”It doesn\’t surprise me to see Hogan with the Republicans because Hogan\’s as anti-union as you can get… It was Hulk Hogan who ratted me out to Vince McMahon and I was fired and lost my job.\”
On Donald Trump
Years before he dominated the Republican Party, Trump was part of the \’Reform Party\’ after being recruited by Ventura himself. The WWE Hall of Famer said that Trump is not the same man who came to him years ago and believes the billionaire\’s politics are solely based on what benefits himself.
\”Donald Trump is for Donald Trump. And Donald Trump is going to do whatever it is that supports Donald Trump… He saw that he could take over the Republican Party so he changed his views. He want from pro-choice to no rights for women\’s reproductive. He\’s gone far right.\”
Ventura added that Trump\’s claims of being a Christian man, one that is echoed by many of his supporters, are hollow.
\”He\’s trying to say he\’s now a religious person. Well to me, if you\’re going to be a religious person, you have to live it. And Donald Trump hardly lives it…. I\’m an agnostic athiest and I think that I\’m more religious than he is.\”
Ventura suggested that Republicans would have had a far harsher response if Barack Obama had had multiple affairs while they \”embrace\” Trump.
CM Punk is just days away from his first televised one-on-one match in WWE in over a decade. WWE\’s digital team caught up with Punk prior to Monday\’s WWE Raw at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
We know that CM Punk has been spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando several times over the past several months, but we haven\’t seen much of him in the ring until now.
CM Punk Trains for SummerSlam
Punk reflects on starting his pro wrestling career in Minnesota 24 years ago as he tapes his wrists and prepares to move around. He says, \”I\’m going to give them a show tonight before we see the multi-time WWE & AEW Champion jump from the apron into the ring and run the ropes at a healthy pace.
He said, \”arm feels great\” as he smiled to the camera, a promising sign he\’ll be in top shape this weekend.
CM Punk & Jesse Venutra
We then see new footage of CM Punk meeting WWE Hall of Famer Jesse \”The Body\” Ventura. Punk is shown telling Ventura that they met once about a decade ago and introducing himself again. He extended his hand and said, \”CM Punk, Phil\” and Ventura recalled, \”Oh yeah, you\’ve got that unique name. I always tried to figure that name out, how in the hell did you come up with a name like CM Punk?\”
Punk agreed it\’s a stupid name and said it was his nickname as a child, because he was a little brat kid. \”Well, good for you, it served you a purpose then, you can\’t forget it.\”
Ventura later jokes, \”When you get to be my age, you\’re just another old man.\”
During a separate conversation with with Jimmy Traina for the SI Media podcast, Punk commented on the surreal meeting with The Body:
\”I saw Governor Ventura the other day, said Punk. Absolutely, 100% blown away, one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me in my life is when he tells me that he saw I came back, and he said, \’The place must have changed. If Punk is back, I\’ll go back.\”
Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura has acknowledged that many will have been surprised by him attending WWE RAW, given his past issues with the company. The WWE Hall of Famer/former Governor of Minnesota was at the July 29, episode of the Red brand which took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. On Twitter, WWE cameras shared Ventura\’s meeting with WWE CCO Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque.
Though a wrestler and broadcaster in the WWF for years, Ventura\’s return to WWE is something of a surprise. In 1991, Ventura brought litigation against the promotion after discovering that non-feature performers received royalties on videotape sales but he had not. Four years earlier, Ventura had waived his rights to royalties on videotape sales when he was falsely told that only feature performers received such royalties.
The case entered federal court and Ventura won $801,333 when a jury ruled in his favor. The judge also awarded Ventura $8,625 in back pay for all non-video WWF merchandising featuring Ventura. The suit soured Ventura\’s relationship with WWE, which had consistently been under strain due to Ventura\’s previous attempts to form a union in wrestling.
Despite this, Ventura was welcomed back for SummerSlam 1999 (after his Governor victory) and he officiated the Minnesota pay-per-view\’s main event. Ventura also returned for an \’Old School Raw\’ in 2009 in which he once again donned the headset alongside Vince McMahon on commentary.
Talks between WWE and Jesse Ventura would not be happening if not for the promotion\’s change of regime, the Hall of Famer has claimed.
In April, it was reported that \’The Body\’ was speaking with WWE for the first time in a considerable amount of years. On an edition of Frank Morano\’s podcast, Venture gave further details about these talks.
“I am back negotiating with them. We’re in talks right now. I have contracts with my attorney right now with WWE. We don’t know right now fully. They want to bring me back under their Legends [deal].\”
Ventura noted that there aren\’t many names associated with the first WrestleMania who are left. He named Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, Andre the Giant, and Junkyard Dog as some of the many names associated with WrestleMania 1 who are no longer with us.
WWE\’s change in direction under Triple H has helped Ventura enter negotiations.
The former Minnesota Governor has had a strained relationship with WWE for years, thanks in part to his successful lawsuit against Vince McMahon. The late 80s suit saw Ventura paid royalties for Home Video releases in which he provided commentary, despite McMahon insisting that only in-ring talent should be paid. On the podcast, Ventura said his ongoing talks only came about now that McMahon is gone.,
“I can only say [negotiations] happened because of the change in direction of the company.”
Despite the lawsuit, Ventura made a return as a guest referee at SummerSlam 1999 (which took place in Minnesota during his time as governor.) He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 and made an appearance on Raw in 2009. It remains to be seen when fans will next see \’The Body\’ on WWE TV but with a Legends deal in the works, it could be sooner than you\’d think.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his running mate for American Vice President on March 26 and it will not be Jesse Ventura.
The pro wrestling legend along with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers were reportedly on RFK Jr.\’s short list to tag up with the Independent candidate in his 2024 Presidential campaign for the White House, but it actually ended up being neither celebrity.
During a rally today in Oakland, CA Kennedy announced that his running mate would be attorney and entreprenur Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan, along with Kennedy, will be the youngest person running for the Vice Presidential office at the age of 38.
Jesse Ventura Broke New Ground As Governor Of Minnesota
Jesse Ventura made history when he became the governor of Minnesota in 1998 as he defeated both Democrats and Republicans to win the office. Serendipitously enough, Ventura put politics in a headlock at the same time pro wrestling did with pop culture.
Although not his running mate, Ventura has shown his past support for RFK Jr. in his Presidential candidacy. Ventura has always been a big proponent for a major third political party and has shown his appreciation for RFK\’s independent run during a previous rally in Arizona.
“I always say Jack Kennedy was the greatest president of all in my lifetime,” he said. “And the reason I say that is because they let him serve the least amount. He didn’t even get one term. That’s why he’s the best, because they couldn’t let him go past, not even one term. Well, maybe it’s time to elect another Kennedy.”
Could Jesse Ventura be back in politics? If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has some influence, \”The Body\” could once again become \”The Mind.\”
RFK Jr., who is running indepedent for the 2024 Presidential election, confirmed to The New York Times that he\’s considering to famous names for his vice presidential pick: Ventura and star NFL quarterback for the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers.
Ventura notoriously became the governor of Minnesota for one term back in 1998 which left both Democrat and Republican parties stunned. Ventura and Rodgers both have been strong advocates for a third party to compete against the two stalwart parties in America. Ventura shared the following a month ago on social media.
“We must end the duopoly of Republican and Democrat control in Washington. Electing a third party or independent candidate for President would be a major kickstart to that process but in order to do that you have to have ballot access.”
Ventura also spoke at RFK Jr.\’s Arizona rally in February, stating that if RFK Jr.\’s father and uncle, John F. Kennedy, both weren\’t assassinated, then the United States we see today would be very different.
“I always say Jack Kennedy was the greatest president of all in my lifetime,” he said. “And the reason I say that is because they let him serve the least amount. He didn’t even get one term. That’s why he’s the best, because they couldn’t let him go past, not even one term. Well, maybe it’s time to elect another Kennedy.”
Aaron Rodgers is quite the unexpected wild card as he happens to still be an active NFL player, but did suffer a season-ending Achilles injury. Rodgers also happens to share some indirect ties to pro wrestling as during thhe NFL season he is a weekly guest on \”The Pat McAfee Show\” and is good friends with the WWE Raw color commentator.
SEScoops\’ Dominic DeAngelo happened to interview Ventura back in 2023 and they do lightly touch upon his interest in getting back into politics, but also share memories of forthcoming WWE Hall Of Famer Muhammad Ali, \”Superstar\” Billy Graham and Bruno Sammartino.
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