Why does WWE legend Jesse Ventura hate Hulk Hogan so much? Bitter history explored
Jesse Ventura signed a WWE Legends deal in October 2024 and returned to the commentary table at Saturday Night's Main Event. This brought back fond memories of his pro wrestling days for fans, but it also reminded everyone about The Body's bitter history with Hulk Hogan.
The WWE Hall of Famers haven't been on good terms for decades, and Ventura has no intention of reconciling with The Hulkster. Their issues began in WWE and continued in WCW. Hogan and Ventura's friendship came to an abrupt end after the 73-year-old discovered that it was The Hulkster who revealed his plan related to the labor union issue ahead of WrestleMania 2 in 1986 to Vince McMahon.
During an interaction with Graham Bensinger of In Depth in 2015, Ventura said:
"I can’t trust him. I’m never friends with anyone I don’t trust. I have to have trust with someone to be their friend. And he’s the one that ratted me out to Vince [McMahon] when I tried to unionize."
Furthermore, he also knew that Hulk Hogan was paid more than others during WrestleMania 3. Ventura finally left WWE in August 1990.
Jesse Ventura and Hulk Hogan's relationship further deteriorated in WCW
The Body's frustration with Hulk Hogan increased when The Hulkster moved to World Championship Wrestling (WCW). During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Jesse Ventura claimed that it was Hulk Hogan who got him fired from the now-defunct promotion.
The veteran claimed that Hogan not only stole his look but his entire persona. Ultimately, Eric Bischoff fired him, potentially ending Ventura's wrestling career.
“Eric Bischoff then got the head job at WCW, and then behind my back, he went out and got Hogan. He [Hogan] came in, got me immediately fired because he took over my look. He put the shades on; he put the do-rag on, and he became a villain. He couldn’t have Jesse Ventura be there and become Jesse Ventura, so he got me fired, and in essence, my wrestling career was over!” he said.
During a conversation with Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT earlier this year, The Body revealed that he had no intentions of reconciling with Hulk Hogan, or at least until he received an apology from The Hulkster.