According to a report from Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE Hall of Famer Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s role at the recent July 12 Saturday Night’s Main Event was significantly reduced due to his controversial commentary during a previous special in May.
While Ventura was a promoted part of the July 12 event, he only appeared in a brief opening segment and was not on commentary for any matches. Meltzer’s report sheds light on the reason for the last-minute change.
“They Toned Way Back”
In the Observer, Meltzer detailed the limited role Ventura played on the July 12 show. “They toned way back on Jesse Ventura. He opened the show with a stand-up with Joe Tessitore, did his cool delivery, and that was that,” Meltzer wrote. “He was never seen for the rest of the show.”
Meltzer attributed this decision to a “fiasco” that occurred during Ventura’s previous guest appearance on the May 24 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. According to the report, following that appearance, “the call was made not to let him announce” on the July 12 broadcast.
“What Kind of BS Is That?”
The “fiasco” Meltzer referred to was Ventura’s guest commentary during the steel cage match between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest on the May 24 broadcast. During the match, Ventura was openly critical on-air of the long-standing WWE rule that allows a competitor to win a steel cage match by escaping the cage.
As a competitor attempted to exit through the cage door, Ventura exclaimed, “Wait a minute. How do you win it going out the door? What kind of BS is that?” He later sarcastically added, “Why didn’t he call up the limo driver and have him drive up and open the cage door, too?” These comments, which were critical of WWE’s own rules and presentation, reportedly led to the decision to limit his on-air role for the subsequent July special.
As a result of his commentary during the May event, Ventura’s highly anticipated appearance on the July 12 Saturday Night’s Main Event was ultimately limited to the brief opening segment. The WWE Hall of Famer and former Governor of Minnesota is known for his outspoken style, which was a celebrated part of his original commentary run but appears to have clashed with modern production.
Jesse Ventura definitely not a fan of winning a Steel Cage Match by exiting through the door. #SNME pic.twitter.com/PSZ2Kmrp3u
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 25, 2025
