WWE Hall of Famer Jesse “The Body” Ventura is returning to the commentary table for WWE Saturday Night Main Event. As part of a new partnership with NBCUniversal, WWE is resurrecting the weekend special that first launched its product on mainstream television in the 1980s. The 2024 edition of the show will air on NBC and will headline WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title against Kevin Owens.
Ventura knows well WWE Saturday Night Main Event. The decorated wrestler competed in the fourth edition of the show in 1985, teaming with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Bob Orton in a winning tag team effort. He would go to the announce table for future iterations of the show, calling the action alongside Vince McMahon.
Ahead of WWE Saturday Night Main Eventreturn to television on December 14th, TelaRant caught up with Ventura to discuss what the show has meant for his career, his future plans with WWE and which current wrestlers he enjoys watching.
Jesse Ventura reflects on his story in Saturday night's main event
“We were beating Saturday Night Live in the ratings…”
ScreenRant: Before we even get into what's scheduled for tomorrow, just looking back at this historic event throughout the 20th century, late 20th century in professional wrestling, what did Saturday Night's Main Event mean to you and your career?
Jesse Ventura: This was around the time we were leaving the territory and Vince was going national. We were crossing the country. Now we're becoming much more popular and important, and that's really what happened. I remember the first one where we all got together in a hotel looking at a TV and we were all beside ourselves. My God, that was on NBC and it was in the mid-80s. And then when we got to that level, that was the step for wrestling to become popular. That's what Saturday night's original main event did. It became popular and then the fact that we were beating Saturday Night Live in the ratings.
Ventura reveals his future plans for WWE
The body will be on the announce table for all future WWE SNMEs
It seems like history is almost repeating itself. However, this won't be Saturday night's only Main Event. We will have another one soon, on January 25th. Will this be normal for you? You will be behind the commentary table for everyone Main Saturday Night Events from now on?
Jesse Ventura: That's it for now. Now I'm starting to do them all.
That's a lot to look forward to. How are you preparing to return to the stand this Saturday? Are you following the product? Are you catching up on stories? What is the vibration?
Jesse Ventura: Yes. Basically, when I left wrestling, I left. I didn't follow it anymore. I vaguely remember Rock and Stone Cold and all that, but I left it. And so for me, it was a review of coming back, but then learning who is here today, who are the young stars that we have today, and that's my job. My job is to take their stardom and take it even higher and make them bigger stars than they already are. I don't need to worry about myself. I'm done; This isn't about me, it's about them. And that's my job. My job is to go in and make the product even better, put the finishing touches on the product, and I'm very good at that. I didn't miss it or anything like that.
And actually, people need to understand that I'm taking the handcuffs off. I mean, for the last 25 years I've been involved in politics and I've had to worry about what I say. Well, I don't have to do that anymore. I can say whatever I want now. Freedom has arrived.
Who are some names that stand out, that have Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s seal of approval?
Jesse Ventura: Well, my new favorite fighter since I came back last month is Dominik. Do you want to know why? He gets the girls, man. I mean, he's a chick magnet. I don't know what it is about him, but they flock to him and any guy who has the body and guts to stand in the middle of the ring and do a double bicep curl, both of which are unbelievable. I give him the “Sweeping” Rick Rude award. I just think he's a great talent.
I'll add this too. I will be honest with you. For a moment I questioned whether Rhodes was really Dusty's son. You look at Cody Rhodes and you see this lean, muscular athlete with six abs. Now Dusty Rhodes failed to win Best Abs. Your son could. Dusty could only gain most of the sit-ups and that's why I thought how could it come from Dusty? I don't question it because I saw his ego get in the way, just like his father. He did a stupid thing on SmackDown. He got involved in a prank. He wasn't scheduled to fight, he got injured and will have problems tomorrow night. He has a bad leg. Just watch the opening tomorrow night and I'll tell you what Rhodes could be up against.
I never thought we'd see Jesse Ventura back full time. What was your first conversation with Hunter? Did you answer the phone? Did you discuss things? And how long did it take between him first getting in touch and you putting pen to paper on your deal with the legends?
Jesse Ventura: Well, I don't even remember if I spoke to Hunter directly. Once again, my son did it all. My son was the go-between for WWE and me and he negotiated that. He was the calm head, I guess, if you will, in the room and got the job done for both sides. I think they were filming Raw in Minneapolis and I went there. I'll tell you what made me feel good and respected: when I arrived at the auditorium, Hunter was there to greet me. He was waiting for me to get there and arrive. And that to me showed a lot of respect and showed me that he's the guy I can work for.
On WWE Saturday Night Main Event (2024)
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event returns to television on December 14. The televised special will be headlined by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his prize against Kevin Owens. Elsewhere on the card, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther puts his title on the line against challengers Damian Priest and Finn Balor, WWE World Women's Champion Liv Morgan defends against IYO SKY, Michin and Chelsea Green face off in the finals of WWE United States Women's Championship tournament, and Drew McIntyre settles his blood feud with Sami Zayn in singles competition.