10 Things We Learned Listening To Jesse Ventura On Steve Austin's Podcast
4. The Last Straw With Vince Was Over Jesse's Likeness
The tensions continued to escalate and by 1990, Ventura would sever his business relationship with Vince McMahon, but not for the first time.
Jesse first left Vince over the movie 'Predator', when McMahon refused to allow him to take the role. Knowing the movie was a huge opportunity with a chance to co-star with famed actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse quit the WWF.
When Dick Ebersol and NBC found out that Jesse was no longer with the company, and thus would not be appearing on Saturday Night's Main Event, they demanded Vince bring him back. Much to Vince's annoyance, he had to comply.
The pair worked together for a few more years, but the last straw came regarding Jesse's likeness and an opportunity Ventura was offered for a video game.
Jesse had owned the copyright of his 'Jesse 'The Body' Ventura' character since the early '80s. In 1990, Ventura was offered $40,000 for the use of his likeness in a video game, but Vince would not allow it believing it would create competition for his own video game. This disagreement resulted in Jesse leaving the company and eventually taking McMahon to court over royalties Ventura felt he was owed.