Jesse Ventura Reveals He Quit WWE To Star In “Predator”
In a revealing interview with Chris Van Vliet, WWE Hall of Famer Jesse “The Body” Ventura disclosed the dramatic circumstances surrounding his temporary departure from WWE to star in the iconic action film “Predator” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ventura recounted the pivotal moment when he received the offer for “Predator” and attempted to inform WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
I get on the phone, I’ve been offered the role… [I get told] ‘sorry Jesse he’s in a meeting. Do you wanna know what Vince said?’ I said ‘tell me’, ‘he doesn’t have time right now for Jesse Ventura’s personal life’.
Undeterred, Ventura gave his reponse to hearing that comment.
‘Tell him, when he has time, that I’m accepting the offer for the movie’, and I hung up.
This prompted an immediate callback from McMahon, who suggested WWE secure an agent for Ventura’s Hollywood endeavours. Ventura, however, declined, preferring to stick with his personal agent, Barry Bloom.
No Vince, because if you get the agent then he’s working for you. I’m gonna stick it out with Barry Bloom. He’s got my interest involved not you getting me an agent.
The situation escalated when McMahon insisted Ventura couldn’t accept the role due to commitments for “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” Ventura’s response was unequivocal:
I am doing it, I already accepted, I quit.
This dramatic decision came just before WrestleMania 2 in Los Angeles, with Ventura heading straight to the movie set in Mexico afterwards.
Despite the abrupt departure, Ventura’s absence from WWE was relatively short-lived. He returned to the company just five months later, suggesting that the rift with McMahon was not irreparable.
Jesse Ventura Makes Shock WWE Return
Jesse Ventura recently made a return to WWE when Raw was in St. Paul, Minnesota and is expected to signed a Legends deal with the company shortly.
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