10 WWE Wrestlers Vince McMahon Couldn't Control

7. Jesse Ventura

Hulk Hogan Vince McMahon
WWE

Jesse Ventura has had a completely unique career trajectory. His working life began with the US Navy in 1969, after which he transferred over to the realm of professional wrestling. 'The Body' moved into commentary after hanging his boots up, then eventually entered the political realm, becoming Mayor of Brooklyn Park, then Governor of Minnesota after forging an acting career in the '80s.

It'd be a stretch to call him a renaissance man, but Ventura tends to do as he pleases. When Vince McMahon demanded he turn down the opportunity to appear in Predator, Jesse told him where to go, and headed to Hollywood anyway. He quit, but WWE eventually came crawling back following their TV network's objections, and Ventura's WWE run continued.

'The Body' confirmed in a 2015 interview that aside from Predator, Vince essentially let him do whatever he wanted, citing an angle with Koko B. Ware as the only time McMahon ever stood in his way. On top of this, he's also one of only a few wrestlers to defeat the company in court, having successfully sued Titan Sports over royalty rights in 1995.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.