Earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura appeared on ESPN radio and criticized World Wrestling Entertainment for their longtime company policy of classifying wrestlers as "independent contractors" and not employees. Ventura acknowledged that he had participated in a WWE event just a week ago when he hosted Raw, but says the wrestlers are treated unfairly and denied benefits because of WWE's refusal to acknowledge them as employees.

WWE spokesperson Robert Mitchell has responded to Ventura's remarks with some pretty sharp words of his own. Mitchell tells the Hartford Courant: "We find it highly hypocritical that Jesse had no problem coming on Monday Night Raw last week to promote his new project or was happy to be paid all those years by the WWE as a performer. He is just looking to garner additional press for his fledgling show, appropriately entitled 'Conspiracy Theory.'"

Labels: jesse ventura

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

On RAW this past week, both Jerry Lawler and Jesse Ventura were given "cheat sheets" with photos of the Superstars in the different matches. In Lawler's case, he doesn't watch ECW or SmackDown and Ventura didn't really know anyone besides the top guys.

Labels: jerry lawler, jesse ventura

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

Before the great tandem of Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan ever took the stage for USA's Prime Time Wrestling, the first hosts of the show were Jack Reynolds and Jesse Ventura. Reynolds was a staple for the WWF for years before it really got mainstream and Vince Jr. took the company national.

Reynolds was with the company in the early 80's and assumed the role of play-by-play announcer for the then-All-Star Wrestling telecasts. On Thursday, Reynolds passed away in Cleveland at the age of 71.

Reynolds, real name Jack Rizzo, also worked at WHK and for a dozen years at WWWE 1100. He is the father of Fox 8 TV Sportscaster and personal good friend of mine Tony Rizzo.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Tony and his family, as well as the family and friends of Jack.

Labels: bobby heenan, gorilla monsoon, jack reynolds, jesse ventura, tony rizzo

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with another blog update from his official website. here are some highlights:

Jesse Ventura Running for Senate: "I have no dog in the fight whether or not Jesse Ventura runs for the United States Senate or not as I live in Oklahoma and not Minnesota but I wish this matter would come to closure Sooner than later. Like my dad would say, do your business or get off the can, to put it in more acceptable terms for this forum. For the record, I do think that Jesse would be a voice that would definitely be heard in Washington D.C. which might be a good thing."

Remembering Eddie Guererro: "I will never forget having a long talk with distraught Eddie Guerrero at a WWE PPV because he was in the first match of the night. Eddie looked at it as an insult which is understandable considering his background and old school values. However, Eddie eventually understood how important his role was for that particular show but without question if an athlete doesn't want to "close the show" they should seek another vocation. Of course the argument can be made that if it is pay-per-view, so what does it matter what match starts the show because the promotion already has the customer's cash? I think it does matter how the show starts and the earlier the momentum can be established the better. If wrestlers can't follow the preceding match then they shouldn't be booked.

Flair on WWE TV This Week?: "I read on the 'net where Ric was being advertised to appear at Tuesday's Smackdown taping in his hometown of Charlotte. My money is that this Flair sighting will not be on the broadcast but for the fans in the arena only. But then again, I could be wrong."

Labels: eddie guerrero, jesse ventura, jim ross, ric flair

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Following was Posted One Year Ago Today on Let's Talk Wrestling

The WWE Draft on Monday night has begun to get a lot of focus, and the company is out to make the 3-hour edition of RAW a memorable one, as they have announced a list of stars that will be on the show. The story line on Monday night this past week was that the 3-hour RAW is going to be "Mr.McMahon Appreciation Night," and now a list has been released on who is going to be on the show.

First they will have Steve-O from Jackass, who is on the show for the obvious reason of starting the angle that will eventually have him and a few of his co-stars in the main event for Summerslam. What role Steve-O will play on Monday night is unknown. Also set to appear is former WWE wrestler, announcer, and Governor of Minnesota - Jesse "The Body" Ventura. McMahon and Ventura use to announce matches together in the past.

Former manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, a WWE Hall of Famer and legend, will also appear on the show in some form. "Mean" Gene Okerlund has been signed to make an appearance on the show. And finally, former wrestler and New York Times best selling author Mick Foley is also going to be on the show as well.

Foley spoke a lot in his most recent book about an angle upcoming, and this may kick that off if that indeed is to be the case. The story line with Foley and Melina, which lead to Foley being "fired" after SummleSlam last year has not ever really been wrapped up, and if he is to come back, there was talk of an angle with McMahon, or possibly something to get revenge on the women's champ.

As far as the actual draft goes, not much has been leaked by the WWE as to the amount of wrestlers that may be moving, or what else may exactly go along with it. The WWE did send out a press release with the following comments from Stephanie McMahon Levesque, who evidently with her new position is now the voice of the company. "With the 2007 draft comes an unprecedented occasion in WWE history where each Superstar across all three of our programs is subject to being placed on another roster," said Stephanie McMahon Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Creative Writing. "No one will be safe this evening. This is what makes it so exciting to witness, as viewers will see some of their favorites being traded to a different roster, making for a thrilling dynamic in the months ahead."

Labels: jesse ventura, steve-o, summerslam

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments