A WWE Hall of Famer has slammed Donald Trump‘s Hall of Fame spot as a “disgrace”.
Jesse Ventura has criticised Donald Trump’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, arguing that the honour should be reserved for those who endured the physical demands of the wrestling business.
Speaking on the Independent Americans podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota Governor said that earning a place in the Hall of Fame should be based on in-ring contributions. He pointed to his own workload during his career as an example.
“Do you know how you get in the Hall of Fame? You do like what I had to do,” Ventura said. “I wrestled 63 consecutive nights in a row without a day off. And there’s people that would destroy that. There’s guys that did more than that. But that’s how you get in the Hall of Fame.”
Ventura claimed Trump’s induction was tied more to business arrangements with former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon than to any wrestling credentials. Trump hosted WrestleMania V and VI at venues he owned.
“Trump got in because he provided us two buildings, I think WrestleMania 5 and 6 or something, where he probably made millions off renting us his buildings,” Ventura said. “And for that, Vince McMahon puts him in the Hall of Fame. It’s a disgrace. I’ve almost resigned, gone public and said I’m resigning from the Hall of Fame because of Trump is in it.”
Ventura also discussed Trump’s political career, claiming the former U.S. President adopted elements of his own independent gubernatorial campaign in Minnesota in 1998.
“He copied my election, took my playbook totally,” Ventura said. “Except the difference was, I took on the Democrats and Republicans at the same time. What he did, and he was successful, so I can’t argue with him, he first conquered the Republicans. And the moment he conquered the Republicans, then he went after the Democrats and thus became the President.”
He also questioned Trump’s public image, referencing his avoidance of military service during the Vietnam era.
“I’ll bet Donald Trump has never been in a fight in his whole life,” Ventura said. “He’s the kind of guy in a group that will start the fight, and then he’ll hold your coat.”
Ventura concluded by saying his frustration over Trump’s induction comes from what he sees as a lack of recognition for deserving wrestlers, pointing to Olympian Ken Patera as an example of someone not yet honoured.
When Was Donald Trump Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame?
Donald Trump was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2013. His induction came during the ceremony held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the night before WrestleMania 29. Trump was honoured in the celebrity wing, largely due to his involvement with multiple WrestleMania events at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City and his on-screen appearances with WWE during the late 1980s and again in the 2000s.
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