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Jesse Ventura

JesseVentura

Title History

  • January 17, 1976 defeated Jimmy Snuka for the PNW title.
  • April 10, 1976 with Bull Ramos, defeated Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • June 8, 1976 with Bull Ramos, defeated The Royal Kangaroos for the PNW tag team titles.
  • June 26, 1976 defeated Dutch Savage for the PNW title.
  • October 25, 1976 with Buddy Rose, defeated Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • January 15, 1977 with Buddy Rose, defeated Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka for the PNW tag team titles.
  • July 28, 1977 with Steve Strong, defeated Sam Steamboat and Billy White Wolf for the NWA Hawaiian tag team titles in Honolulu, HI
  • March 21, 1978 with Jerry Oates, defeated Buddy Rose and Ed Wiskoski for the PNW tag team titles.
  • July 20, 1980 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 and Greg Gagne defeated Adrian Adonis and Jesse Ventura for the AWA Tag Team title.

World Wide Wrestling Federation:

  • Early 1980s: Jesse Ventura and 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.
  • January 25, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Ben Bassarab.
  • January 26, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Rick McGraw.
  • February 10, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Terry Gibbs.
  • February 11, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Les Thornton.
  • February 26, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Jack Armstrong.
  • February 27, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
  • March 10, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Jim Young.
  • March 22-24, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated SD Jones.
  • May 20, 1985 – MSG Network: Jesse Ventura defeated Swede Hanson. Jesse Ventura defeated Tony Garea.
  • May 23, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Steve Lombardi.
  • May 27, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Aldo Marino.
  • July 1, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Gama Singh.
  • July 16, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Lanny Poffo.
  • July 17, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Tony Atlas.
  • August 3, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Lanny Poffo.
  • August 11, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Jimmy Jackson.
  • August 25, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura & Randy Savage defeated Mike Rotundo & Tony Garea.
  • September 26, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Peter Wolf.
  • October 7, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Ivan Putski.
  • October 16, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated George Wells.
  • November 5, 1985 – House Show: Jesse Ventura defeated Jose Luis Rivera.
  • November 25, 1985 – MSG Network: Jesse Ventura defeated Barry O.
  • January 4, 1986 – Saturday Night Main Event: Bob Orton, Jesse Ventura & Roddy Piper defeated The Hillbillies (Cousin Luke, Hillbilly Jim & Uncle Elmer).
  • 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 and 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 from the ring:

  • 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 and 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.
Updated: February 3, 2024 @ 5:56 am

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Trained By

Eddie Sharkey

Debut

October 1975-1986

Birthday

July 15, 1951

Hometown

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Gender

Male

Height

6'4"

Weight

245 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Body Breaker

Favorite Move(s)

Notable Feuds

Jimmy Snuka,
Tito Santana,
Hulk Hogan,
The SYSTEM!

Status

Living