Johnson Finds Support Among Some of the Most Legendary Stars
In order to win elections, candidates must pinpoint target demographics and perform well among them. For Governor Gary Johnson, it is unlikely that he has spent time courting the professional wrestler vote. Nonetheless, many have taken a liking to Johnson and have expressed their support. Here are the top seven pro wrestlers supporting Gary Johnson:
1. Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash is among the most well-known and accomplished sports entertainers of all-time. During his career, he became the third ever WWE “triple crown” champion by winning the World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Titles. After leaving for rival promotion WCW, he held that company’s World Heavyweight Title on five different occasions, also winning the tag team titles nine times. Most memorably, he served as one of the three original members of the nWo faction along with Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
He announced his support for Gary Johnson on Twitter on July 5 after watching the candidate’s interview with Bill Maher.
@GovGaryJohnson just watched you on @billmaher once again complete transparent dialog. Sir you have earned my vote. 20% spending cuts #hope
— Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) July 5, 2016
2. Kane
One of the most iconic characters in the history of WWE, Kane has held both the WWE Title, World Heavyweight Title, ECW Title, and Intercontinental Title. Additionally, he has held multiple different tag titles on twelve occasions. His 19 eliminations in the annual Royal Rumble match are the most ever, and among his most memorable moments is at the 2001 Rumble when he confronted fellow Johnson supporter, WWE Hall of Famer Drew Carey. His on-again/0ff-again relationship with his brother, The Undertaker is generally considered to be one of the greatest feuds in wrestling history.
Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) has been very active in libertarian politics over the past several years. It was announced on July 23 that he had endorsed Gary Johnson.
3. John “Bradshaw” Layfield
During his illustrious wrestling career, Bradshaw won 24 different title belts, including a reign as WWE Champion. He took on several different personas throughout his time in the ring before settling on the gimmick of a brash Texas millionaire. Earlier in his career, he formed a tag team with WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons, calling themselves the APA. Having retired from in-ring action, JBL now serves as a color commentator during the weekly broadcasts of WWE programming.
Layfield has a keen interest in financial markets, often appearing on FOX News. He also wrote the book Have More Money Now. He is featured on the “endorsements” page of the official Gary Johnson campaign site.
4. Goldust
A still-active veteran of the ring, Goldust has proven himself to be a timeless character and performer. He is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and is a multiple-time Intercontinental Champion and Tag Team Champion. During the 1990s, his bizarre antics and flashy ring attire helped to catapult him to super-stardom. Goldust has wrestled around the world in several promotions, always keeping the fans entertained.
Goldust offered his endorsement to Gary Johnson when asked by TMZ if Donald Trump’s membership in the WWE Hall of Fame would sway his vote. Instead Goldust stated that he likes neither Trump nor Clinton and will be voting for Johnson.
5. Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Jesse Ventura wrestled throughout the 1970s and 1980s before blood clots in his lungs ended his career. However, Ventura quickly shifted to announcing, where he truly became a legend. He provided color commentary for the first six Wrestlemanias, using his memorable voice and evil persona to counteract the good-natured play-by-play of WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon. Ventura was himself inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
Of course, Ventura became much more famous for being elected Governor of Minnesota as a third-party candidate in 1998. He served in this role for four years before deciding against running for a second term. In 2006, David Boaz of the Cato Institute named Ventura one of the three most libertarian governors of the 1990s, along with Gary Johnson and William Weld. Ventura wrote an article endorsing Johnson on July 13.
6. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman
Sean Waltman has had many ring names throughout his career, but has been successful no matter what he has been called. He bounced around the WWE in the early 90s as the Lightning Kid, the Kamikaze Kid, and the 1-2-3 Kid before finding success in WCW as Syxx. As a member of the nWo, he became an instant star, winning the Cruiserweight Title and Tag Team Titles. He later went back to the WWE as a member of D-Generation X, renaming himself X-Pac. He would eventually win the European, Light Heavyweight, and Tag Team Titles under this persona.
Waltman is listed on the official Gary Johnson page as an endorser. He also often tweets praise for Johnson and libertarian policies.
7. Val Venis
Not many characters have better defined an era in wrestling as well as Venis did in the WWE’s “Attitude Era” of the late 1990s. This time period, defined by sex, vulgarity, and edgy television, was punctuated by the character of Val Venis, a former adult film star. Bellowing out his catchphrase of “hello ladies,” Venis would come to the ring clad in a white bath towel, often picking out a female member of the live audience to seduce. Venis also found success in the ring winning the European, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Championships.
Since retiring, Venis has become very active in working toward reform of marijuana laws. He often tweets praise for Libertarian candidates, including Gary Johnson.