10 Things We Learned Listening To Jesse Ventura On Steve Austin's Podcast
6. Jesse Only Started Commentating Because He Was Injured
Jesse 'The Body' Ventura was supposed to have a run against the WWF Champion Hulk Hogan in the early '80s, but due to health issues, Jesse was sidelined which ultimately lead to his new gig as an announcer.
Jesse went down with blood clots and his real-life friend, John Studd, replaced him in the program with Hogan. Jesse struggled with his future and wondered what he would do if his in-ring wrestling career was over.
While he was out, Vince paid Jesse $1000 a week and eventually called Jesse with an explosive idea. Vince's brilliant decision was to feature a heel commentator and put Jesse Ventura on the commentary team.
Jesse would later remember words that some of the old-timers gave to him as he was coming up in the business regarding the importance of good mic work. "The match doesn't draw for what happens in the ring, it draws for what's said on the mic. The ring-work is secondary."
Prior to his first show on commentary, Vince sent Jesse out with one thought, "If you believe it, it's true." The rest was history.