WWE has invited Jesse Ventura to SummerSlam, and the door may be open for more than a seat.
WrestleVotes Radio reports the company has extended an invitation for the Hall of Famer to attend the two-night show in Minneapolis. The outlet is told that using Ventura on television, most likely in a pre-show role, has been discussed internally. Whether he actually appears on screen is unclear as of now.
The timing gives the report weight. Ventura returned to WWE in December 2024 as a commentator on the revived Saturday Night’s Main Event, but the Wrestling Observer reported last November that his one-year deal would not be renewed. An invitation back would mark a thaw.
Minnesota is the hook. Ventura was born in Minneapolis and served as the state’s governor from 1999 to 2003, and his last on-camera WWE appearance in the state came under circumstances nobody has matched since.
At SummerSlam on August 22, 1999, at Target Center, a sitting governor worked as special guest referee for the WWF Championship main event. Ventura counted the fall as Mankind beat Steve Austin and Triple H.
His history with the company has been rocky. Ventura sued over commentary royalties and won, and he has said the relationship only improved once TKO and Triple H took over.
SummerSlam runs Saturday and Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. It is the first WWE stadium show in Minneapolis and the city’s second SummerSlam.
