'Baron Von' Raschke used to wrestle 'The Body'

By Kevin Fee

Herald Staff Writer

While his former professional wrestling opponent basked in the afterglow of a monumental political upset on Wednesday, Jim "Baron Von" Raschke was a substitute teacher at Bemidji High School.

As he walked the halls about 10 hours after Jesse "The Body" Ventura was projected the winner of the Minnesota gubernatorial race, everybody wanted Raschke's ear.

"They asked if I voted for him and if I was his buddy," Raschke said.

To the first question, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Raschke replied this way to a reporter on Wednesday afternoon: "That's none of your business."

To the second question, Raschke quipped: "I'm waiting for him to call me to be lieutenant governor."

Raschke, who helps run The Wigwam Gifts and Souvenirs in Lake George, Minn., when he isn't substituting, actually doesn't have any political aspirations because of his former opponent's victory.

He said he believes Ventura could be a respectable governor, however.

"Only time will tell," Raschke said. "I thought he ran a good, upbeat campaign. He had a lot of humor and did a tremendous job of promoting himself. Now I think he's going to do a good job of promoting the state.

"If he learns the ins and outs of state government, he might do a good job."

Raschke, who wrestled for the University of Nebraska and the U.S. Olympic Team, said he defeated Ventura more times than not when they met on the mat. He didn't like the chances of Ventura, formerly known as Jim Janos, in Tuesday's election.

Now that Ventura has won, however, Raschke is thinking bigger.

"It's about high time there was a wrestler who was president," Raschke said. "But 'Mad Dog' isn't available. Besides, he was a Canadian."

Raschke was speaking of "Mad Dog" Vachon, another former professional wrestler. Who knows? Maybe Ventura will run for president.

"He's got a lot of charisma and a lot of common sense," Raschke said.