Jesse Ventura: wrestler, governor, Russian television host?
Ventura told the Associated Press that he will be hosting a new commentary show for Russian TV called "The World According to Jesse." Ventura said he is excited by the show, but said circumstances had kind of forced his hand.
"It'll be my viewpoint on what's happening around the world," Ventura said. "I want to do it. But, in some ways, I was forced to do it. I can't get a job in the U.S. No one will touch me. My United States union throws me in the dirt and who comes to the rescue? Russia."
Ventura lost his health insurance provided to him by the Screen Actors Guild union because he had not been doing enough work to warrant the insurance according to the Star Tribune. Ventura said he signed the contract for the show to have 32 episodes last fall, with no episodes yet being filmed. Ventura did say the show will probably air next month and that all episodes will be filmed in Minnesota.
After a several-decades long wrestling career that saw him win NWA and AWA tag titles and be one of the WWF's most famous broadcasters, Ventura served as the governor of Minnesota from 1999-2003. Ventura was then inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.