Introduction

In a shocking twist that has fans buzzing, Jesse Ventura is set to make his return to WWE as a guest commentator for "Saturday Night’s Main Event," airing live from the Nassau Coliseum on NBC. Ventura's return is so unexpected that he jokingly explained it by stating, “Hell has frozen over.”

The Catalyst Behind the Comeback

The former Minnesota governor and WWE star, who famously clashed with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon in the late '80s over financial disputes and creative differences, attributes his comeback to a little help from family—namely, his son Tyrel. Tyrel, who has an impressive background working as the assistant to well-known actor Sean Penn, took the initiative to reach out to the new management at WWE, paving the way for his father's return.

A New Era in WWE

With WWE now under the management of Hollywood powerhouse WME and with Nick Khan leading as president, the atmosphere has evolved significantly since Ventura's original departure. “My son was a wrestling fan growing up and took it upon himself to establish contact with the new ownership. One conversation led to another, and I found out I wouldn’t be held accountable to the old standards that led to my exit,” Ventura shared.

A Personal Motive

Now at 73, Ventura expressed a desire to ensure that his children can benefit from any earnings associated with his legacy. "I did it selfishly for my kids," he admitted. “If anybody is going to make money off my name, I want my kids to have a piece of it.”

Significant Contract Signing

Ventura recently signed a "Legends" contract with WWE, which ultimately facilitated his upcoming commentary role. He shared that the revival of "Saturday Night’s Main Event," after a 40-year hiatus, was the perfect opportunity to bring him back into the fold. “They said, ‘We need Jesse for this,’ and it was easy to finalize the details once the Legends contract was in place,” he said.

Change at the Top

Interestingly, McMahon recently stepped down from his duties amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. This shift in leadership has likely contributed to the reopening of doors for former talents like Ventura.

Ventura's Complicated History with WWE

Ventura's history with WWE is fraught with drama, stretching back to the mid-1980s. His initial run ended when he began rallying for a union among wrestlers—a move that raised McMahon’s ire. Though he wasn’t officially fired for it, Ventura believes it certainly contributed to his strained relationship with WWE. He walked away for good in 1990 due to a fallout after signing a deal with Sega for an outside promotion, but not before winning a lawsuit against WWE for royalties on video sales.

Notable Appearances in WWE

Despite the ups and downs, Ventura has made a few notable appearances in WWE since leaving, including a role as a special guest referee at SummerSlam in 1999 and his 2004 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Political Aspirations

When reflecting on his political ambitions, Ventura remains undaunted, expressing confidence that he would have decisively beaten Donald Trump in a presidential election, given the proper financial backing. This claim is particularly interesting, as Ventura’s independent governorship of Minnesota has previously been cited by Trump as a source of inspiration for his own political career.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In a bold entrepreneurial move, Ventura has also ventured into the cannabis industry with his business, Jesse Ventura Farms. Driven by personal experiences, he shared, “My wife was stricken with seizures. Cannabis is the only thing that stopped them.” This new chapter in Ventura's life showcases not just his resilience but also his commitment to addressing personal challenges through business endeavors.

Conclusion

The wrestling world and political arena alike are watching what Jesse Ventura will do next—one thing is for certain, this comeback is set to be anything but ordinary!