Jim Ross reacts to legend reconciling with WWE after 15 years

Jim Ross spent a combined 23 years in WWE between 1993 and 2019. The AEW announcer recently gave his take on another legendary broadcaster, Jesse Ventura, reconciling with the Stamford-based promotion.

Ventura was a color commentator in the early years of WrestleMania in the mid-to-late 1980s. After leaving the company in 1990, the 73-year-old won a lawsuit against former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon over royalties.

On July 29, Ventura made his first WWE appearance in 15 years when he attended RAW in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Ross said on his Grilling JR podcast that he was happy to see Ventura back. He also joked with host Conrad Thompson about people doubting their prediction that Shane McMahon would be open to doing business with AEW:

"I felt good about that," Ross stated, referring to Ventura's RAW visit. "It kinda reasserted itself that anything can happen. That's [like] when people say, 'Well, Shane McMahon will never go to AEW.' Well, how do you know that? Why would you think that? I mean, you know, seriously? It made me feel good, to be honest with you, Conrad. I thought it was nice. Jesse was happy." [23:28 – 23:53]

Ventura had not appeared on WWE programming since hosting the November 23, 2009, episode of RAW.

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Jim Ross on Jesse Ventura's controversial 1999 return

After leaving the wrestling business, Jesse Ventura served as the governor of Minnesota between 1999 and 2003. As the years went on, the wrestling legend mended his relationship with Vince McMahon. He also performed as a referee for Mankind's win over Steve Austin and Triple H at SummerSlam 1999.

Jim Ross recalled how Ventura's initial return to WWE was highly contentious following his lawsuit against McMahon and also noted how time heals a lot of wounds.

"It was controversial, to say the least, Connie. Jesse had a lawsuit against WWE that infuriated Vince. Over time, it just lessened. It's funny how time can heal a lot of wounds, and it did on this occasion." [22:46 – 23:07]

Despite having a strained relationship with WWE over the years, Ventura was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

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Please credit Grilling JR and embed the YouTube video with an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription, if you use Jim Ross' quotes from this article.