Jim Cornette on Jesse Ventura, Conspiracy Theories, And Mafia Interviews 

“Politics is just like Wrestling. Enemies in front of the people. Friends behind closed doors.” - Jesse Ventura

Jesse and Gorilla on commentary was some of the best commentary I've ever heard in pro wrestling. Ever.

If I recall correctly, Ventura got into politics when he noticed that a creek or river near his home was heavily polluted, so he ran for mayor. He didn't get huge into the conspiracies until after his gubernatorial run ended in the early 2000's and his conspiracy phase is rather brief compared to the rest of his political activism. Not saying he isn't into conspiracies anymore, but his political views today are mostly just standard anti-establishment with a cross between civil libertarianism and social democracy. EDIT: Him and Corny would probably agree on a lot if they sat down and talked about individual policies.

Jesse was correct with comparing Republicans and Democrats as bloods and crips. I remember laughing at it but damn it makes sense these days

Jim Cornette would be great as a character actor in a Scorsese, Tarantino, or David Lynch film.

Cornette mocks Jesse as a crackpot for claiming the government is out to get us....then literally claims that this government is out to get us in the same sentence. SMH

Jesse Ventura is fascinating

Asking a person who has spent their entire life in and around the wrestling business about conspiracy theories is like asking someone who has spent their entire life in and around politics about honesty.

Jesse will always be my favorite commentator. Just that ego and his voice were so classic.

I will say I listened to his audio book Conspiracy Theories and he provides multiple sources for all his information. It wasn't what I was expecting. Very much worth the read/listen.

Jesse Ventura tells it like it is.

“I Ain’t Got Time To Bleed.”

I could listen to Jesse talk about conspiracy theories all day.

Jesse is one of my heroes. Love to meet him. He has truly achieved greatness. What a amazing life he has had

I love Jesse Ventura! If you actually listen to him he makes sense. Ventura has talked about his time as Minnesota Governor and how the Vikings owner tried to get him to get the tax payers of that state to fund a new stadium for the Vikings. Ventura told him no that he had more important things that need tax payer money and the owner of the Vikings at that time kept threatening to move the team. Ventura went on to say what the majority of tax payers and everyday people don't get is that the owner of the Vikings is a billionaire who more than has the money to buy the land and build himself the stadium he wants but he doesn't want to spend his money because than he can't hold the city hostage later when he needs something or wants to get his way! That this billionaire owner looks at the Vikings as just a toy. He's not making big money off the Vikings especially at the rate he's paying his players, coaches etc. Its just a toy to him and he like the rest of the NFL try to sucker the cities and tax payers into giving tax payer money over to them so they won't move the team! But it never works out because later when the owners want or need something they start the same thing over again. Ventura went on to say that if these cities all told the NFL no when to comes to building new stadiums these owners would have to put up there own money and be vested in the cities than they wouldn't be able to hold the cities hostage and tax payers wouldn't spend years seeing tax hikes and there tax money could go to things that are more important than some overpaid QB, WR, Coach whomever!

Jesse isn't the Warrior. Even if you disagree with the conspiracies, they're reasonably thought out and realistic.

Considering Ventura was a governor I wouldn’t pass all his conspiracies as “crazy”

Jesse's show Conspiracy Theory on Tru TV was one of the best shows ever!

Some of my best WWF memories were listening to Jesse argue with Gorilla Monsoon and Vince McMahon. Him and Bobby the Brain Heenan were just so damn great. I miss that.

Never thought I would hear “Vladtv” and “Michael Franzese” name on Jim Cornette podcast 🤣

Jesse has said his Conspiracy Theory tv show was "entertainment". He didn't endorse or say that the featured conspiracies were true. If you watch the show you can tell the whole thing is tongue-in-cheek. Ventura isn't a 'nut' he's actually very well informed and knows what's going on in the world of politics. I think this is a case of Jim not being up to speed on Jesse's beliefs and giving his offhand opinion.

I'm usually one to dismiss conspiracy theories, but when it comes to the JFK assassination and Jeffrey Epstein''s suicide I know there is no way the official story is what really happened.

Lawler purposely avoided working with Stan Hansen 🤣🤣 It's fun to see some of Hansen's historic brawls, but I'd avoid him, too. Good lord.

Area 51 is real. I know, because I used to live next door at Area 52. Needless to say, the HOA is none to happy with them.

Michael franzese and Jim Cornette crossover would be amazing.

"I had to quit wrestling because of the agent orange" 😂 brilliant impression!

If you believe the Conspiracy Theories or not. Jesse Ventura does ask some really good questions.

I greatly enjoy Jim and Brian talking mafia in wrestling parlance. Jack Ruby "going into business for himself" made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes.

Jesse was such a great commentator alongside Monsoon. I don’t remember him commentating with anyone else? But Ventura and Monsoon was lightning in a bottle. Heenan and Monsoon too.

Michael Franzese- now those are shoot interviews!

Ventura rewrote the script on commentary he was unbelievable as a heel, that run with Gorilla & even with Vince toowas very memorable. I enjoyed his matches too with Lawler.

Jesse wanted and tried to have a wrestlers union and was thwarted by Hulk Hogan. That's all we need to know.

I'm still amazed that Jim Cornette has been in direct contact with some of the biggest and greatest names in the history of our sport.

Hey I'm from WV, and I've been crying in the streets about the high cancer rates in the Kanawha County since 1997. Nobody wanted to listen. I had to leave WV, and change residency.

I watched Greg Valentine order a large pizza with mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni and cheese, then proceed to eat only the sausage, mushrooms, cheese, and pepperoni. He left all the dough. I was young and new to the business, so I didn't dare ask him why. But i sat there in disbelief as the waitress asked him if he wanted a box for the rest and he told her he was done.

Jesse Ventura has debunked a few conspiracies. He's done some good work. Sometimes you need crazy guys out there.

And for those who want to see those interviews that they're talking about like Michael Franzes and Gravanno, the RU-vid channel they are on is called Valuetainment. And the guy in the shadows that's Phillip "Crazy Phil" Leonetti. The Gravanno interview is especially interesting as he has some interesting views on how to deal with mass shootings. He also has an interview with Ric Flair. And since this is video is about conspiracies, the guy Patrick Bet-David also interviews Alex Jones.

Travis Heckel deserves a raise. I love these

Yes we need Cornette talking more conspiracies. That will be a good listen.

I think Jesse is spot on with his views when it comes to the US being stationed in the Middle East for the last 20 plus years.

mad respect for the governor

Apparently from the impersonation, Corny believes Jesse spent some time in Scotland..

What's the greatest wrestling conspiracy? A lot of people might say the Montreal screw job, but the funniest one to me was that people believed that the original Ultimate Warrior died and was replaced by an imposter who made the save in the Hogan vs Sid match at WM8. The worst part was when WCW introduced the Renegade, for some reason they cited that as proof that the original Warrior really did die😂 I know there's more but that was the only one that sprung to mind....

Jesse is a interesting free thinker,Jim is a great parrot of information

Jim hated cartoon wrestling, but Vince made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

The dislikes are from Vince Russo

Jim is like Lou Thesz when talking about wrestling history, but like Frankie Williams when it comes to politics.

Jesse Venture is good man with a moral compass.

Jesse would always rag on referee Joey Marella who was Gorilla’s son during matches he referred. I wonder if Gino ever took him aside and said “ Hey,cool it.”

Agent orange? Jesse isn’t a Vietnam vet. He served in the Philippines

I truly enjoy Jim's segments! Top Notch! I'm still laughing 😅

Ventura was a good politician. He was an independent, that's the best thing you can be

Valuetainment is the youtube channel with the mafia interviews he's talking about

I love the Michael Franzese stuff too!! Sammy the Bulls interview with Patrick Bet David is 2.5 hours of magical insight.

“Win if you can. Lose if you must. But, always cheat!” Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura for President! #RunJesseRun

Yes my favorite topics pro wrestling conspiracies what a time to be alive 💯💯

It's funny the Jim cornette talks about crackpot theories of the conspiracies but he stated earlier in this interview that he did not know anything about politics and yet Jesse Ventura was governor at one point, I think Jesse Ventura knows a little bit more about what's going on than what he has an opinion to say.

I was always amazed how Henry Hill could do an in-person interview on the Stern show in the heart of NYC and escape unscathed. How he died of heart disease and not a bullet is beyond me.

I like Michael's doc's. He doesn't push religion. He talks lessons.

Jesse Ventura is very sharp and interesting! I disagree with Jim!

I think Jesse is the best heel commentator of all time.

That jessie impression was awesome

Jim! You and Bobby Heenan are the two best professional wrestling personalities ever. My top 2!!! I am happy I found this channel.

Jesse and Corny have at least 2 things in common wrestling and Athiests.

This is probably one of the few things that I must disagree with Mr Jim Cornette on. simply because Jesse Ventura is not a nut and if you really divulge yourself into what he has revealed when it comes to these so-called conspiracy theories then you might realize that maybe he's on to something. Jesse Ventura would have made a great president probably one of the greatest ever but unfortunately in this country if you're not a democrat or a republican you don't stand a chance which that is something that must change we need to get rid of the two-party system and make it equal for everyone. But Jesse Ventura has said a lot of light on some things that were questionable and has opened a lot of eyes to some truths that otherwise people wouldn't have known.

So Michael Franzese caught a 10 year sentence on on a gas tax scam, a few years into his sentence he signed a cooperation agreement which compelled him to testify twice under a grant of immunity in the early 90s (once against crooked sports/music agent Norby Walters, and a second time against Ornge Tutt). Michael often misleads people about his status as a cooperator, I don't know why, since it's a matter of public record, but whatever. When he got his early release he ran to California and then Colombo Crime Family boss Carmine Persico "greenlit" Michael. This is where things get sketchy, but basically Michael claims he bought his way out, and since he had not "ratted" on anyone directly associated with the mafia (only his two guys, read: guys nobody cared about) he was eventually given a pass. The Mafia didn't whack Kennedy, that's bullshit. If the Mafia had whacked a sitting president on their own, there would be no Mafia left. The only way this theory works is if factions within the US government wanted Kennedy dead and then used the Mafia to clean up the only loose end. Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK. Maybe Ruby murdered Oswald at the behest of the mafia, but the guy was not exactly heavy. He rubbed elbows with the organized crime, he was a night club owner, a pimp but definitely not out there committing murders on the regular. I'm just saying he's an odd choice for an assassin in an organization full of guys with tons of experience in murdering people. There is precedence for the Government working with the mafia, they did it in Lucky Luciano's days during the War, so I don't think the idea of them using criminals to clean up a mess is outside the realm of possibility... But who the fuck sends some schlubby night club owner on the most important assassination of the century?

Never in my life did I think Jim Cornette was going to do a mafia video.

Ventura is a "nut" because he dares to investigate things and ask a few questions. Jim's right, we should just swallow everything agenda-driven news (media) shovels out as fact. Never ask questions- Be a gullible mark IRL and move along.

I read an obituary for Omar "Mr Excitement" Atlas. It told a story about how he was the opponent in Jesse Ventura's pro debut. The promoter and Booker knew Ventura had the look but weren't sure if he could wrestle at all. They told Omar to test him and if he thought Ventura could make it as wrestler let him put you over the top rope. If you don't think so, beat him up. Omar went over the top rope in the match.

rofl, mafia types "breaking kayfabe"

I love Jesse. He just says what he thinks and on politics most the time I agree with him.

Really liked the Ventura impression from Jim! He seems like a decent person!

Please watch these mafia podcasts, so much fun.

Jim Cornette the Vince Russo of politics!

Michael Franzese's channel is amazing

I've heard It all. A damn Democrat calling other people weak minded.

There's no doubt in my mind that most of Jim's fans our Republicans that don't give af about his political views 😂😂

Well this is the first time I've heard an ad for Legal Services directed at actual mob people

No! Did he just say AJ Styles believes in Flat Earth? I would never have figured him to be a flattard...

Jesse Ventura told Corny he thinks aliens come from Uranus

Jesse is fun to watch, like him or hate him it hard not to watch.

A more developed form of my points about JTBV: For context, I was pure mark until about 1989. I was a youngster with my dad at the Igloo to see Bruno's win over Toro Tanaka. I popped loud and often. The following is an excerpt from a Facebook convo I had today with a much younger wrestling fan. This is how I see Jesse. I've heard the hype on both sides. Here's how I see JTBV, then and now. Depending on how you were taught (by Stu or Fritz or Jerry, etc) Wrestling has a format: 1) The incident 2) the grudge 3) the Promo 4) the in ring storytelling, ably assisted by the announcer and color commentator. Sometimes there's a 5) The Belt cannot change hands on a technicality . . . which brings the ouroboros back around to #1. Jesse was 1st rate at numbers 1,2,3 and great at 4- from the color commentator point of view. In ring, he was not a sparkling storyteller, but adequate. We youngsters back then saw him as a credible counter to the main talents. One of the principle qualities a great heel needs is the ability to generate heat with the target audience. What Jesse's got these days is historical street cred as one of the greatest heels of all time . . . main evented Bruno, main evented Hogan, made eternal enemies out of VKM, half of Minnesota, and went on to make a high profile friendship with Russia Today . . . which pissed off 100% of USA and roughly half of the rest of the world. These days, he's a broken down old man (so am I) . . . and still the best heat magnet ever. I vote him number 1 heel of all time.

The truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction has to make sense.

this whole "conspiracy theory" phrase needs to be done away with, it's very outdated and extremely dismissive, it's alot easier to say a dumb phrase like that than to actually have an honest debate about some very interesting and odd topics... some ppl are just mentally lazy and/or scared of the possibility something "wacky" might actually be true, so they just scoff it away... unfortunately jim seems to fall into this category... "I'm cool and knowledgeable, and these guys are all "crackpots"... come on man, ur better than that... still love his wrestling knowledge though, can't dispute that

Jim is a master of impressions.

That Stephen P. New segue was dynamite! So smooth that transition was from wrestling to conspiracy theories to mobsters.... Brilliant.

Joe Rogan does an amazing Ventura impression. Jims was terrible but usually does good ones. Surprising

Every time Jim teases the Stephen P. New ad I pop.

I learned alot from Jesse's conspiracy theories: HAARP(weather control), origins of Lyme disease, thousands of disposable coffins, the rat-on-your-neighbor network called INFRAGUARD, 9-11( skyscrapers turning to dust as they fall). These are not theories: they are FACTS. My admiration of Jesse is unlimited.

Cornette is a bit too dismissive of Jesse Ventura's political views, possibly because Jesse has been critical of both major political parties. Both of these guys need to read Jesse's books, the man is a former Governor and Navy SEAL and should at least be taken a bit more seriously. I'm a tad disappointed in the rhetoric these guys are spewing on Jesse.

When they label you a conspiracy theorist you’re over the target

That's one of the healthiest and best ways of eating a burger . All your calories are in the toppings and condiments. Adding lettuce and tomatoes or any fresh veg as a topping would be ok .

Wiseguy shoot interviews. My favorite was when Mike F. said Al Sharpton was an informant for the FBI. I almost fell out my chair. And then he said Michael Jordan retired cause he owed wiseguys money. Crazy shit!

Do you guys feel that the WWF passed on possibly a great tag team that could have been , macho man and Jesse Ventura

Yeah Mike was a smart dude. He tell great mafia stories.

I don't totally see eye to eye with Corny on his politics but I respect how blunt and honest he is. The thing is, while Jesse was training to become a SEAL, Corny was practicing his fake tennis swing in front of the mirror. Love Jim though

Jim- tell us your experiences with Vern and Greg Gagne.

Michael Franzese is fantastic, could be appearing on Joe Rogan soon aswell, well worth a look !

It's amazing how people in groups laugh at conspiracy theories. But get them on their own and it's a completely different story. Conspiracies are everywhere. If you don't think so watch what happens when a family member with money and no will passes away.