Jesse Ventura has spoken about his relationship with WWE in 2024 and where he and the company are at in regard to contract negotiations.
Shortly before the July 29th episode of Raw went on the air in Minnesota, the Hall of Famer and former Governor was seen at the venue and met with Triple H. With Ventura having issues in the past with Vince McMahon after previously trying to form a union with the wrestlers, the return was another sign that the company really was in a new era.
Back in May, the Hall of Famer stated that negotiations were happening regarding a return, which Ventura stated was due to a “change in direction.” Later in the year, a new update was provided.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet hours before the backstage appearance at Raw, the Hall of Famer stated that the relationship is much better and a contract has been written:
“My relationship with them now has much improved. We are on the verge right now. I can say this, contracts have been written, contracts have been agreed upon. And all it requires is two signatures, one from them, and one from me. And I will be back with the legends [deal].”
When asked if there was a timeframe on this, Ventura stated that it would be quick:
“Fairly quickly, because time is money.”
When asked if McMahon’s exit was the reason for the return, Ventura confirmed that was the case and that the recent merger has made negotiations much easier:
“Yeah, very much so. I think that since they merged with the Ultimate Fighting [UFC] and they’re under that one roof now, they’re very much more mainstream corporate that you can deal with better because they’re more open. It isn’t having to tie into the old days of wrestling, for lack of a better term, slavery. Because, you know, in the old days of wrestling, you truly were slaves.
I got a great compliment I heard the other day. Barry Bloom, my former agent, the one I introduced to Vince, I was the first wrestler that made Vince deal with an agent. And I heard Barry was on a podcast and said that all these contracts these guys are getting today, they owe Jesse Ventura a thank you. Because if it weren’t for him, they wouldn’t be getting them.”
CM Punk Comments On Jesse Ventura Return
Back in November 2023, CM Punk made his return to WWE at Survivor Series. Notably another return that many believed to be borderline impossible at one point, Punk coming back truly was a “hell froze over” point in wrestling history. In a previous interview, CM Punk spoke about the recent return of Jesse Ventura.
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