Jesse Ventura, a legendary wrestler-turned-announcer, made his highly anticipated return to WWE TV this week, joining the broadcast team for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Alongside co-host Joe Tessitore, Ventura brought a nostalgic touch to the show, with fans eagerly awaiting his return to the world of professional wrestling after an absence of four decades. However, according to wrestling veteran and former writer Vince Russo, Ventura’s initial segments were a little awkward, with the 73-year-old legend seemingly following a script provided by WWE.
Russo, who appeared on his podcast, The Brand, to discuss Ventura’s return, praised Ventura’s improvement as the show went on, stating that he finally got into his groove and was able to bring his signature style to the commentary. Ventura’s commentating skills were on full display during the main event, where he joined Michael Cole and Pat McAfee to provide analysis on the Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens match. His expertise and wit shone through as he offered sharp criticisms of Rhodes and justifications of Owens’ actions.
Despite his initial awkwardness, Ventura’s color commentary was reminiscent of his peak in the 80s, and he held his own alongside Cole and McAfee. Russo praised Ventura’s ability to adapt and bring his unique perspective to the commentary, claiming that he was in his element once he got going. Ventura’s ability to provide insightful commentary and banter with his co-hosts made for an entertaining viewing experience, with his experience and expertise in the wrestling world evident throughout the show.
Ventura’s return to WWE TV comes at a time when the company is looking to revamp its commentary team and add some fresh perspectives. His inclusion on the broadcast team brings a blast of nostalgia and a reminder of the golden era of professional wrestling. As Russo noted, it was “awesome” to see Ventura back on the mic, and fans are hoping that this marks the beginning of a new era for the wrestling legend in WWE.
Throughout the show, Ventura’s passion for the sport was contagious, and his ability to provide sharp criticisms and justifications of the wrestlers’ actions was reminiscent of his peak in the 80s. He wore his iconic boa and snakeskin jacket, which he claimed was a gift from Damien, Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ pet snake, adding to the nostalgic feel of the broadcast. Ventura’s return to WWE TV was a welcome addition to the broadcast, and fans are eager to see him continue to bring his unique voice to the company.
Russo’s assessment of Ventura’s initial segments, that he was “scripted” and a bit nervous, is an interesting perspective, but ultimately, the wrestling legend’s return was a success, and fans are hoping that this marks the beginning of a new era for Ventura in WWE. With his expertise and wit shining through, Ventura’s commentating skills were a highlight of the show, and his ability to adapt to the commentary and provide a unique perspective was impressive.
