Surprise Name In Talks For A WWE Legends Deal

To the surprise of many long-time wrestling fans, Jesse Ventura has revealed he's in talks for a WWE Legends deal.

Previously, the relationship between Ventura and WWE was an extremely strained one at times. While he's in the WWE Hall of Fame and had a great career in the ring and at the commentary desk, the Body and WWE have butted heads at several points over the years. Notably, Ventura's WWE exit in 1990 was tied to a royalties dispute that ultimately saw the Minneapolis native awarded over $800,000 in federal court, plus he had tried and failed to launch a wrestlers' union in the mid-'80s.

Jesse Ventura has made a handful of WWE appearances since his departure from the company, but a Legends deal is something that never seemed on the cards. That is, until now.

Of course, this also comes hot on the heels of Ventura recently discussing how he's more open to holding talks with WWE now that Vince McMahon is no longer steering the ship.

Speaking to Frank Morano on WABC 77 Radio (via the Wrestling Observer), Jesse noted he's currently in talks over a Legends contract with the market leader.

"I’m back negotiating with them. We’re in talks right now. In fact, I have contracts with my attorney right now with the WWE. And I can only say that that’s happened because of the change of direction in the company."

On what this Legends deal may involve, Ventura added:

"We don’t know right now fully. They want to bring me back under their Legends. You know, I’m an old guy now and you’ve got to have the legends. And hell, if you go back to WrestleMania I, there ain’t too many of us alive anymore. It’s true. Roddy’s gone, [Paul] Orndorff’s gone, Andre’s gone, John Studd’s gone. You start going down WrestleMania I and you’ve got more gone. Junkyard Dog’s gone. The list goes on and on. There’s Hogan, myself, and Tito [Santana], and a couple more, we’re the only ones left."

Jesse wrapped up on this matter with:

"I’m getting older. I mean, I’m in my 70s now, and I guess I’d just like to open up the door at the end in the wrestling career and see what’s still left there. And it ain’t like I’m going to go back on the mic, because, if I could be honest with you, I don’t even know who wrestles there anymore."

Having made his pro wrestling debut in 1974, Jesse Ventura made his name in various NWA territories and Verne Gagne's AWA before landing in the then-WWF in 1981. Ventura would have several shots at Bob Backlund's WWF World Title across the next year or so, and would later challenge Hulk Hogan for that same prize across 1984 and into '85. As blood clots in his lungs effectively ended his in-ring career, the charismatic Ventura transitioned into other roles with the company, hosting his own Body Shop talk show segment and becoming a staple of commentary. Following his exit in 1990, Jesse would turn up in WCW in 1992 and remain with the promotion for two years.

Away from the wrestling world, Ventura successfully ventured into politics, being Mayor of Brooklyn Park between 1991 and 1995, then becoming Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He also carved out a solid acting career for himself, with his standout roles including spots in Predator and The Running Man.