Jesse Ventura Talks Leaving WWE and more

[hassanchop]

allwrestling.com/news/55802/ventura-talks-leaving-wwe-hogan/

- WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura recently spoke with VOC Nation Radio to promote his new book, “They Killed Our President – 63 Reasons to Believe There Was a Conspiracy to Assassinate JFK." Here are some highlights:

On his exit from the WWE in 1990: “It was over a video game. Vince signed a contract with (Nintendo) and told me that I couldn’t sign an endorsement deal with another company (Sega). I told Vince that he didn’t own me; I wasn’t working under a contract at that time.”

Hulk Hogan: “I haven’t spoke to him or seen him at all since I left the WWE in 1990.”

Eric Bischoff: “Last time I saw him was when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004 and I don’t care for him.”

Wrestling vs. Commentating: “Commentating hurt a lot less, and by the time I started to commentate, I was making as much more more than I made wrestling. The business had switched to (being based around) television. Why would I go in there and beat myself up when I can make just as much money commentating? People can say what they want about pro wrestling, but at one point in my career I actually wrestled 63 days in a row. It hurts. Wrestling is ballet with violence. Nobody looks at a great Russian ballet dancer and questions their athleticism do they?”

[Hit Girl]

I used to like Jesse, but ever since he became the "conspiracy guy" I can't stand him. It's unreal how much bollocks he spouts.

[RowdyRobbyPiper]

I noticed in the two years that I've started watching and following wrestling that Jesse's shine seems to have been gone yet JBL is given somewhat more credibility (despite Jesse having an enormously successful post-wrestling life). Is it solely because of Conspiracy Theory? Despite his success in politics and his niche in the media, he wil always be the guy who would stick it to a pious and self-righteous Vince McMahon every Saturday morning when I was a kid.

[Deleted]

Jesse Ventura is full of shit at all times. Probably always has been.

[Mighty Attack Tribble]

Nov 16, 2013 15:53:49 GMT -5 Hit Girl said:

I used to like Jesse, but ever since he became the "conspiracy guy" I can't stand him. It's unreal how much bollocks he spouts.

I still like Jesse. He's one of my favourite commentators of all time, but his Conspiracy Theory shtick is tiresome.

[Boo!]

Say what you like about Ventura, he's a rare post-wrestling success story. He's successfully run for office, had his own TV shows, has likely made fortunes through various books and media appearances. He's not some broken down old lag who's still having to wrestle someone half his age in a high school gym in front of 20 people for fifty bucks before having to go cap in hand to McMahon to try and appeal to his better nature to fund an operation.

So in my view, even though I think his theories and views are a bit misguided, how can you not have respect for the man for doing the elusive of being successful in the business and then being an even bigger success out of it

[mizerable]

Jesse was definitely my favorite heel commentator with Lawler being a very close second. What set Jesse apart from most heel commentators was his insistence to call it the way HE sees it, as opposed to just favoring the heels. Yes, he was a heel guy, but he didn't outright always make excuses for things unless there was a reason for him to. That's what set him apart from Heenan, Lawler or even JBL. They're too busy trying to antagonize the other commentators that they lose track of what they're there to do.

[Urfarkendarf]

I like Jesse because he goes to the beat of his own drum in every respect. He won the highest state office in Minnesota running a very unique campaign and doesn't stick to the two party BS. His conspiracy malarkey is a bit silly, but he also stresses that its a way to view things through another prism and that people should make up their own minds about things. I respect that ideology, whether or not I agree with his beliefs is another matter entirely. He is a smart man and has been successful in a variety of ventures, can't help but admire him in that sense. His wrestling career is basically an afterthought now, but its arguable that he and Gorilla were one of the best duos of all time on commentary, and he also had great chemistry with Vince in that respect as well. I can't even remember his in ring career as I was young when he was on commentary and even younger when he was in the ring. I just remember him being the heel type guy and wearing goofy clothes.

[RowdyRobbyPiper]

Nov 16, 2013 18:22:23 GMT -5 mizerable said:

Jesse was definitely my favorite heel commentator with Lawler being a very close second. What set Jesse apart from most heel commentators was his insistence to call it the way HE sees it, as opposed to just favoring the heels. Yes, he was a heel guy, but he didn't outright always make excuses for things unless there was a reason for him to. That's what set him apart from Heenan, Lawler or even JBL. They're too busy trying to antagonize the other commentators that they lose track of what they're their to do.

Exactly! And because he called it the way he saw it, that gave his character the opportunity to give credit to the faces where it was due. He was a fan of the heels, but he was not a sycophant like Heenan and Lawler.

EDIT: Gorilla, mizerable and Urfendarker all said it well. Outside of wrestling, Jesse is a true independent thinker who doesn't believe in sugar coating his opinion. I respect and admire that a lot.

[DoubleDare]

Hulk Hogan: “I haven’t spoke to him or seen him at all since I left the WWE in 1990.”

Thats funny cause jesse ventura was at Bash At The Beach 94 and commentated on a few matches even. I dont know what month he was let goed but him and hogan did overlap for a little bit.

[RowdyRobbyPiper]

Bischoff claims to have fired him at a Disney taping around that time. Remember there is major bad blood between Jesse and Hulk.

And I did not know Jesse was at Bash at the Beach, but lo and behold, there he is calling the Dustin/Arn vs Terry Funk/Buck match. Bischoff also claims that Jesse's interest in his work took a rapid nosedive when they signed Hogan so it is entirely possible Jesse went out of his to avoid Hulk.

[Deleted]

Say what you want about conspiracy theory but that show produces the best YouTube Poops! Even better then King of the Hill ones

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Sega does want Vince don't

[Deleted]

Wrestling is real, who knew! All that time commentating against Hogan...he really did hate Hogan. =P

[jakes]

I love him. Jesse Ventura is hilariously wacky.

[RedSmile]

Ventura has been working the nutjobs for every dollar they are worth.

[tigermaskxxxvii]

Nov 16, 2013 18:12:02 GMT -5 Mighty Attack Tribble said:

Nov 16, 2013 15:53:49 GMT -5 Hit Girl said:

I used to like Jesse, but ever since he became the "conspiracy guy" I can't stand him. It's unreal how much bollocks he spouts.

I still like Jesse. He's one of my favourite commentators of all time, but his Conspiracy Theory shtick is tiresome.

Of course both of these posts mean that the two of you are in on the conspiracy! Now why can't I get anyone to let me behind this door that says "Authorized Personel Only"? It's a conspiracy! I was a Navy Seal!

[Brickstone Kid]

Forget you guys, I love Jesse AND his conspiracy theories.