Famed wrestling agent Barry Bloom was a recent guest on Talk Is Jericho with Chris Jericho.
While Bloom was involved in countless negotiations with stars such as Bill Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and Triple H throughout his tenure, his association with Jesse Ventura is arguably the one that is remembered the most.
Bloom discussed helping Ventura collect royalties from WWE, saying:
“He said, ‘I think I’m going to have to sue Vince over royalties from video tapes.’ He started to pursue that, to have discussions with his attorney and WWF. They, of course, were saying, ‘Nope, announcers don’t get video tape royalties.’ His lawyers took over with discussions and at the same time this was happening, we’re in early 1992, and WCW came to me. They heard I worked with Jesse (Ventura). A gentleman named Kip Allen Frey. ‘I’d like to talk to you to see if Jesse is interested in coming to work for WCW.’ Jesse, of course, was interested because he was getting ready to take legal action against WWF. He said, ‘I want to get this deal with WCW done first.’ He wanted the security, he didn’t want to get embroiled in a legal action and then try to be negotiating at the same time with WCW. He also, in the deal with WCW, we made very clear that as an announcer he would receive royalties on video tapes. He wanted that in place to show the court and jury that it was something happening. He was very smart to say that, his lawyers as well. He had full rights to enter into a new deal with a wrestling company, there was no restriction at all. We closed the deal, it was a two-year deal, broke through new ground for any announcer. It was not for wrestling, only for announcing. That deal was in place. Shortly after that, they filed an action in 1992 against WWF. It literally took close to two years to get to trial.”
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