Jesse "The Body" Ventura vs. "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas-Part 3/3

The final part of this famous WWF angle in April 1982. It began with Tony Atlas being interrupted during an interview. Ventura--led by his manager "Classy" Fred Blassie--began insulting Atlas' physique. This led to a "pose down" in the ring, with the winner being determined by fan applause. When Ventura lost, he challenged Atlas to an "Arm Wrestling" match. After the arm wrestling competition went bad (yes, the Ivan Putski angle was NOT a new one!). It progressed to a series of botched matches with Ventura on the run! There was only one way to settle this: A blow-off match between future Minnesota governor, Jesse "The Body" Ventura vs. "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas in a steel cage! Have you ever wondered if the Minnesota governor wore the crimson mask? Well, this should answer your question. Who will come out on top? Filmed at the Philadelphia Spectrum for PRISM's "Spectrum Wrestling" and aired in June of 1982.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Jesse
• the
• body
• Ventura
• Mr
• USA
• Tony
• Atlas
• bloody
• cage
• match
• spectrum
• wrestling
• 1982
• wwf
• governor
• blow
• off
• Minnesota

[Klownfist]

I also was there... the actual date of this was May 22, 1982... I still have the original program I bought at the Spectrum for a whopping $2.00... A very exciting night that was..It was also the Spectrum debut of one Superfly Snuka vs. Pedro Morales for the IC title...Bob Backlund Vs Cowboy Bob Orton,Putski Vs Adonis, Blackjack Mulligan Vs Steve Travis... those were the days...

[JIMMYLINE]

@Klownfist Thanks for the comment! I actually uploaded ALL of the matches your mentioned in this post. They are on youtube. :)

[Klownfist]

@JIMMYLINE hey do you have the Feb 20, 1982 card from the Spectrum... Backlund Vs Ventura, Putski Vs Killer Khan, 6 man tag Andre,Martel,Garea vs Fugi Saito and albano, Morales vs Valentine...dying to find this card matches

[JIMMYLINE]

@Klownfist No I do not, but would be very interested in seeing the Ventura vs. Backlund match. Not sure how to obtain it.

[dmect2207]

I was at this match as well, 3rd row to the right of the commentators table. This is back when wrestling was still good. I got blood on my hand from touch Tony when he got out the ring, pretty cool at the time..haha

[JIMMYLINE]

@dmect2207 that is a very cool story!

[wrestle2uk]

Awesome cruel performance from Ventura

[MidnightRiderEddros1]

I was at this card.....I was 15 and it was such a thrill to see the 2 in a steel cage. 4th row from ringside....thanks for the great post!

[steelers5895]

i was at this match too. great memories and on the way home to NJ, a stop at Olga's Diner

[rtydhg9q]

Jesse the Body, the real Govinator. That guy out in Cali is just an actor, whereas Jesse.....Oh, wait. Nevermind.

[dmect2207]

I was at this card too, I was 14. It was an awesome night and it was back when wrestling "seemed" more genuine. I was in the third row and when Tony Atlas climbed out the ring I touched him and got blood on my hand. It was awesome then.

[dmect2207]

I was at this card too, I was 14. It was an awesome night and it was back when wrestling "seemed" more genuine.