Pink boas are optional. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura will be in the central Iowa town of Newton in early August to accept an honor from the International Wrestling Institute Hall of Fame. The Frank Gotsch Award goes to pro wrestlers who bring dignity and respect to the sport. Hall of Fame director Mike Chapman says pro wresting needs people like Jesse Ventura. He says people associated with pro wrestling have done some things that’re “meritorious.”While Ventura endured much criticism for his unorthodox ways during his single term as governor, following careers as a Navy diver, as a Twin City-area mayor and as a pro wrestler, Chapman says Ventura -is- deserving of this award from the Hall of Fame. He says pro wrestling may not be dignified now, but Chapman points out professional wresting was an honorable sport in the early part of the 20th century, and that theatrics began taking over in the 1940’s. Chapman says Ventura can show that people involved in the sport can do some incredible things away from the mat. Ventura’s office told Chapman the former governor will attend the ceremony on August second.