Jesse Ventura - Why I Left Verne Gagne & Why the AWA Didn't Last

This is from the exclusive Jesse Ventura shoot interview! Find out what former WWF (WWE, WWWF) star Jesse Ventura says was the final straw in his decision to leave Verne Gagne's AWA for Vince McMahon's WWF. At the time, Vince McMahon had just signed Hulk Hogan, Gene Oakerlund & Dr D. David Schultz (who was later essentially blackballed from wrestling after the 20/20 John Stosell incident). Jesse Ventura knew he was headed for WWF but Vince McMahon didn't want Jesse to tell Verne face to face. Find out what happened next and why Jesse feels Verne eventually was forced to fold.

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[seansack]

Nick Bockwinkel once stated that he only worked 3 and a half days a week in the AWA, the money that Vince offered talent came at a cost in terms of living on the road 300 days of the year.
As soon as Vince had Hogan and other talent he could utilize that as leverage with the banks to grow his business nationally, which gave him more and more dollars to pick off the remaining talent. From what I understand Vince rarely took time off and never went on vacation, he outworked and outsmarted the old wrestling business model.

[MGSBigBoss]

Bobby Heenan was known as the last one who left Verne Gagne's AWA promotion. Heenan being respectful of business worked all his dates as was written in his contract to fulfil. Then he left in early to mid 1984 for the WWF, mostly lots had already left and had gone to WWF or the NWA. Despite having the Road Warriors and the newly crowned Rick Martel as AWA World Champion (who defeated Jumbo Tsuruta) AWA didn't have too many colourful characters who'd brighten up the company the same way the WWF and NWA adapted to modern times.

After the AWA title reigns of Curt Hennig and Jerry 'The King' Lawler many said this was the company's downspiral as mostly everyone either wanted to go to the WWF or NWA/WCW.

[TitleMatchWrestling]

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[raicebannon]

Verne, thought he was bigger than the business as a whole. 1. Pay your talent 2. Bring in a develop new talent. 3. Hire people smarter than yourself. He promoted himself, his son and guys like Vachon, Von Rascke and Bockwinkle. During this time he had Perfect, Scott Hall, Hogan, Rick Rude, Flair, The Road Warriors all pass through his organization.

[leereeder]

Jesse I realized that you were a heel but you're one of the better people in the sport as I know that titles would've come your way if injuries didn't cripple your career

[hoopsheavenpa]

Back in the day the AWA had a loaded roster

[jimpimmers]

Verne was too behind in the times. He had the pieces before the WWF did not remained stuck in the past. Instead of riding Hulk Hogan he wanted to stick with a fifty year old Nick Bockwinkel. You had a red hot Hogan coming off Rocky 3. Verne could've marketed him and ridden him and the AWA to the moon. He didn't know how and Vince did.

[GeorgeD]

A lot of wrestlers said the same thing about Verne, too old school, wouldn't change. That's the only reason why he failed.

[AlwaysHalloween]

One thing that holds true about Gagne - there is absolutely no one in the wrestling business that developed more stars in history . Once guy's wrestled in the AWA or were trained by Verne they were really for any territory (From Florida to Oregon to Japan)

[RebelRockstarr]

Knowing Jesse's political background and basically how straight forward he is, it's sooo cool and awesome how he talks about his time in the business and how the business works/run like he survived a war that was meant to be loss. Or I how different/unique it was . You know what I'm saying lol you can see it in his face and in the way hes talking . He loves wrestling

[Filmation]

Verne and Greg always give off the Narrative that "Everybody Screwed Them" where from Jesse To Hulk Hogan to Eric Bischoff have pretty much said "Verne screwed Verne" no one else

[Lonersquare]

1:22 ----> A Good Gem that all people need to learn here. 💯💯💯💯💯
"Always take care of your own Backyard, before you venture into the Enemy Territory."

[johnking]

I was a huge AWA fan i started watching wrestling in 1984. I would have loved to see the territories survive. With all due respect it is my understanding that many promoters ruled with an iron first. They could be extremely difficult to work for. Add on to that the talent felt underpaid. maybe some of them wanted to be loyal. However they took a chance with Vince. Ironically, this is just my opinion, it seems to me that almost every promotion is it's own worst enemy. Thank you rant over

[damionneranginui]

I forget he was a SEAL. You all know you can only be invited to do that. Best of the best in the Navy. The best units in the US military. Explains his confidence and drive. Honour. He wanted to quit f2f but followed orders after a short consideration. Always will be a fan of Jesse the body Ventura

[JVLIVSPhotography]

Scott Hall said it best: “I don’t wanna be the captain of a sinking ship”.

[JimmyJam]

Verne was still trying to sell Nick Bockwinkle as Champ in mid 80s. He just didnt have the vision to change and Greg was too weak a personality to take charge of his dad's business.

[MrSmitty]

Verne should have put the belt on Hogan. He was really over. He kept pushing guys that were over the hill. He had the Road Warriors and the Freebirds. He didn't change with the times.

[Messiah]

Pretty much why Hogan said he left. Verne was insisting on a piece of Hogan's Japan money and the tee shirts Hulk was selling. Verne didn't see what was going on. If he did like Jesse said he wouldn't been giving instead of trying to take.

[diptyajitbanerjee]

I watched this video
Now I'm a sexual tyrannosaurus

[Tbone.]

There it is! "I was a Navy SEAL."
Haha. No interview with Jesse would be complete without it. 😉