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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/wrestling/8183704.htm

Sun, Mar. 14, 2004 

Ventura for President?

BY JIM VARSALLONE
jvarsallone{at}herald.com

NEW YORK CITY - Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan stole the show Saturday
night, but Jesse 'The Body' Ventura's reference to the 2008
Presidential election opened many eyes near the end of a long evening
during the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame induction
ceremony.

After being introduced by his son in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton
in Times Square, Ventura discussed his pro wrestling career, and how
being involved in wrestling [quick on your feet, sharp, good mic
skills] helped him make the transition to politics -- where he shocked
the world by winning the Gubernatorial race in Minnesota.

Ventura noted he coined the phrase Mean Gene (Okerlund) and how he
opened the door to wrestling agents (Barry Bloom) which saw the Big
Show clap and smile sheepishly. An actor in a few Arnold
Schwarzennegar movies (Predator, Running Man), he also helped bring
pro wrestlers to a new, respected level in the mainstream eye.

''Never say never [also a WWE motto],'' said Ventura, sporting a black
beard and black hair. ``Maybe in 2008, we put a wrestler in the White
House.''

The crowd erupted.

Heenan, who had throat cancer, had wrestlers, staff and fans rolling
with his humor and stories. The Hall of Fame inductee ripped the World
Wildlife Fund, saying the then wrestling version WWF had a bird, two
bulldogs, a snake, a dragon, a macho man and Afa and Sica, and, of
course, a gorilla. Talk about wild and wildlife.

Most of the WWE stars including The Rock, Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve
Austin, Trish and Bob Holly were in attendance. Baseball's hit king
Pete Rose, the WWE's first celebrity guest inductee, mentioned how WWE
and Nascar know how to treat fans. With two giant video screens behind
the podium, WWE cameras then focused on (Sparkplug) Holly.

Fans laughed.

Rose then said: ``What? Is [Major League Baseball Commissioner] Bud
Selig here? Did Vince McMahon get Bud Selig?''

Linda, Shane and Stephanie McMahon sat front row. Jimmy Superfly Snuka
and Golden Boy Arnold Skoaland were seated in the VIP area with the
current WWE talent. Did not see Brock Lesnar.

The event -- which drew a soldout crowd of 1,500 -- started at 7 p.m.
with food. drinks and autographs from current WWE stars. Emceed by
Mean Gene Okerlund, the induction ceremony ended at 1:10 a.m. after
Vince McMahon's praises of each honorary and their families.

Inductees thanked Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. and the entire McMahon
family.

Shawn Michaels introduced Hall of Fame inductee Tito Santana. Triple H
introduced HOF inductee Superstar Billy Graham. Ric Flair introduced
HOF inductee Harley Race. Mick Foley introduced HOF inductee
Magnificent Don Muraco.

Pat Patterson introduced HOF inductee Sgt. Slaughter. Jimmy Hart
introduced HOF inductee Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine. Big Show
acknowledged HOF inductee the late Big John Studd and introduced his
son. Ernie 'The Cat' Ladd ackowledged the HOF inductee the late
Junkyard Dog and introduced his daughter. Kane introduced Rose.
Blackjack Lanza introduced Heenan.

Everyone received a commemorative item and program entering the event
and were handed WWE cookies and a commemorative special section
following the festivities.

Fans also lined up outside the Grand Ballroom as some Hall of Famers
were scheduled to sign autographs following the long spectacular.


--- Internet Rex 2.29