Jesse “The Body” Ventura, former Minnesota governor, actor, and WWE star, has had quite a career, from his stint in the US Navy to his attempts to form a wrestlers union to appearances in famous films such as “Predator.” Ventura highlighted how his wrestling experience prepared him for his stint in politics during a panel earlier this month at Steel City Comic Con.
“Many people have asked me, how did I become governor?” Ventura said. “I can assure you, pro wrestling is a phenomenal practice field. I’m serious.”
Jesse Ventura at Steel City ComicCon
Wrestling, according to the WWE Hall of Famer, teaches one how to think quickly, adjust to changing conditions on the fly, and build great public speaking skills.
“I used to get people so pissed off, they’d pay their hard-earned money to see me,” Ventura continued. “When I run for political office, all I’m asking for is a vote — that’s free. And [for them to] show up. It worked well.”
Jesse Ventura at Steel City ComicCon
Following his wrestling career, Ventura ran for and was elected mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Later, as a third-party candidate, he ran for governor of Minnesota in 1998, defeating both the Republican and Democratic candidates in an upset victory. Ventura decided not to run for governor again after serving one term, and has since worked as an author and podcast host, among other things.
Ventura took measures to re-ignite his political career during the 2020 election, mounting a write-in campaign to become the Green Party’s presidential candidate. Ventura has proposed competing as a third-party candidate in the upcoming presidential election, suggesting that he may team up with past presidential primary candidate Andrew Yang this time.
h/t Wrestling Inc
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