Jesse Ventura on Why He Quit WWF & Independent Contractors in Wrestling

Jesse Ventura explains why he first quit WWF and how Vince McMahon threatened to fire him over a Sega Genesis video game deal.

Also hear from Jesse the Body about his thought on talent contracts. How does WWE get away with signing their talent as independent contractors while also expecting them to be exlusive to their company?

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[FishJesus]

Jesse is such an intelligent dude. He was also in Predator so bonus points

[davidish]

Unlike most political figure s he speaks from his heart not his ass

[CornwallOutlaw]

He's 💯 Correct! It's a big Scam. And that 90 Day were ya can't Wrestle for another organization. After your release date.

[woodmillz]

He's right. As a doordash driver, im an independent contractor, and they can't tell me that i can't druve for ubereats or instacart if its slow. The UFC plays the same game as WWE.

[BUStedLosAngeles]

It's also criminal that wrestlers aren't forced to join SAG-
AFTRA as televisions performers, the writers should be in the television writers union and the producers should be in the production guild.

[AcidWorkz]

surprised he didn’t start talking about the navy

[executenwordusers]

Him and Vince in the booth are timeless!!!

[modev]

Its almost like they don't care where the money comes from as long as you launder it for them first

[darylmixan]

Imagine being in a company where they tell you what to do and the outcome is predetermined... and if you don't agreed and voice your opinion or quit, there are very limited options for you to make money in the business. Pro Wrestling is an insanely crazy business turn around since the early 80's. I don't think theres anything like it. UFC in a way, but that can easily duplicated... Promote a fight, pay 2 great fighters, get them in a ring. In UFC if you personally pay your dues and become a top fighter, you will be paid... In WWF they can create, mold, and build a guy. Wrestling in the territories always seemed fun, it was grueling, but it seemed it created great comradory... Also some of the greatest stories ever told, by some of the greatest storytellers.

[DouglasFelts]

And another fun business fact. Independent have no ramifications. Where employment atleast has to provide excuse to the workforce commission(even though the commission hasn’t done its job properly). So it’s like there is accountability to the public. WWE and wrestling can do whatever it wants

[darrellwilliams]

He payed off the officials. Like every other corporation that breaks rules .

[asoncalledvoonch]

I'm probably the only fan of Vince McMahon on earth.
99% of my childhood wouldn't have existed without vince abd everyone else at wwf/e over the years.

But JV is 100% right on this one.

[willglenn-blgm]

I had a funny feeling that was a false narrative, but that's all I hear when people ask about wrestlers everyone claims they are independent contractors, what would they be classified as them besides superstars?

[Ryan-hlur]

I concur, it's equivalent to college/"student athletes", even they get paid, as ANY1 who packs 20, 000+ in a stadium should be.

[timothyl]

If Jesse don’t like it the world needs ditches dug

[giovannisocci]

As a junior senator he would ve been blocked from doing anything, Jesse is correct but WWE is not the only co. missclassidying it s employees as independent contractors.

[brianmcdonald]

Ill never understand how theyre contractors not employees, but vince owns the right to their merchandising

[larrymansfield]

I hate The Body but what he just is dirty by Vince

[dougschadel]

Yes they are independent contractors and you get paid by what you can draw for money

[Bretde]

Idk what he's talking about. I've been a contractor before and guess what....you work for one company. You don't jump around and work for all of them