Profile last updated by: David Buckler

Jesse Ventura

jesseventura

Title History

  • 01/17/76–defeated Jimmy Snuka for the PNW title.
  • 04/10/76–with Bull Ramos, defeated Dutch Savage & Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • 06/08/76–with Bull Ramos, defeated The Royal Kangaroos for the PNW tag team titles.
  • 06/26/76–defeated Dutch Savage for the PNW title.
  • 10/25/76–with Buddy Rose, defeated Dutch Savage & Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • 01/15/77–with Buddy Rose, defeated Dutch Savage & Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • 07/28/77–with Steve Strong, defeated Sam Steamboat & Billy White Wolf for the NWA Hawaiian tag team titles in Honolulu, HI
  • 03/21/78–with Jerry Oates, defeated Buddy Rose & Ed Wiskoski for the PNW tag team titles.
  • 07/20/80–with Adrian Adonis, awarded the AWA World tag team titles in Denver, CO.

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

  • July 15, 1951: James Janos was born James George Janos in Minnesota..
  • James Janos became an elite member of the Navy SEALS, and spent some time in Vietnam..
  • James Janos began to get into bodybuilding, with dreams of becoming a pro wrestler..
  • James Janos copied himself after “Superstar” Billy Graham..
  • James Janos named himself Jesse Ventura, after a highway in Southern California..

Getting Started:

  • Jesse Ventura worked out at Loprinzi’s Gym in Portland, Oregon, while learning his craft in the Don Owens promotion..
  • October 1975: Jesse Ventura got his start in the Pacific Northwest territory, before moving on to Verne Gange’s AWA..
  • Jesse Ventura teamed with Adrian Adonis won the AWA World tag team titles..
  • June 14, 1981: Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne defeated Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura for the AWA Tag Team title.

World Wide Wrestling Federation:

  • Early 1980s: Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis (The East/West Connection) did a couple of tours in the WWF..
  • Jesse Ventura received several WWWF World title shots against Bob Backlund (Unsuccessful)..
  • 1994: Jesse Ventura returned to the WWF, and was suppose to work a program against WWF World champion, Hulk Hogan..
  • 1984: Just before a scheduled Madison Square Garden main event with Hulk Hogan..
  • ~~~Jesse Ventura was rushed to the hospital in San Diego with a pulmonary embolism..
  • ~~~Treatment of the blood clot required blood thinners, any bleeding in the ring would have been dangerous..
  • Jesse Ventura claimed it was due to being exposed to Agent Oragne in Viet-Nam.
  • Jesse Ventura did return to wrestle, but never bled again in the ring..
  • Jesse Ventura retired to become an broadcast announcer..
  • Jesse Ventura occasionally competed in tag team, or 6-man matches..
  • Jesse Ventura replaced the fired Angelo Mosca Sr. as a colour commentator for the WWF.
  • Jesse Ventura’s role as a heel commentator was something new and different, and brought life to the WWF’s broadcasts.
  • 1986: Jesse Ventura co-stared in PREDATOR with Arnold Schwarzeneggar..
  • Jesse Ventura teamed with Gorilla Monsoon to commentate most of the WWF Pay Per Views in the 1980s & early 90s..
  • Summer 1990: Jesse Ventura left the WWF to pursue ‘other things’..

Politics:

  • Jesse Ventura ran for mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.. and won!
  • Jesse Ventura “the Politician” was known for battling the system as if it were a WWF opponent..

World Championship Wrestling:

  • November 1991: Jesse Ventura signed on with WCW as a commentator..
  • 1994: Right around the time Hulk Hogan entered WCW, Jesse Ventura left the company (read between the lines)..

Retirement, but Busy:

  • Jesse Ventura ended up doing a sports talkshow, that turned into a political talkshow (radio)..
  • Jesse Ventura also did commentary for Tampa Bay Bucs games.
  • 1998: Jesse Ventura decided to run for Governor of Minnesota, much to the laughter of his opponents..
  • 1998: Jesse Ventura shocked the world by winning the Governor race in Minnesota!
  • Summerslam 1999: Jesse Ventura returned to referee a match between Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, and Mankind..
  • Jesse Ventura signed on to color commentate XFL games for the one season that it existed..
  • July 9, 2002: Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura was hopitalized after suffering a blood clot in his lung..
  • Jesse Ventura has written a book called, “I Ain’t Got Time To Bleed”..
  • March 20, 2003 – Smackdown!: Jesse Ventura appears on a taped interview talking about Wrestlemania and the Hulk vs Vince epic..
  • March 13, 2004 – WWE: Jesse “The Body” Ventura is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York City!
  • March 14, 2004 – Wrestlemania XX: Jesse Ventura interviews Donald Trump, and also hints about running for President in 2008..
  • June 11, 2007 – Vince McMahon Appreciation Night: Jesse Ventura gave comments via video tape about Mr. Vince McMahon..
  • ~~~Later that night: Mr. Vince McMahon exited the building and got into his private limousine just before it exploded into flames!
  • November 23, 2009–RAW: Jesse “The Body” Ventura appeared as the RAW guest host and booked a Breakthrough Battle Royal..
  • ~~~Jesse Ventura & Vince McMahon (complete with tuxedo) reunited at the announce table to call the Breakthrough Battle Royal..
  • ~~~Ventura oversaw the contract signing between Breakthough Battle Royal winner Sheamus and WWE champion John Cena..