3 Jake "The Snake" Roberts has opened up on his drink and drug demons Credit: Getty 3 In the late 1980s, Roberts made a guest appearance on the DJ Kat Show on Fox, challenging DJ to a match after the Kat had badmouthed the profession. All signs point to Jake's tragic life story being over, and a happier one being told from here on out. Roberts returned and feuded with DiBiase throughout the end of 1989 into 1990, including a point where Roberts stole DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt, daring him or Virgil to reach into the canvas sack where Damien was to retrieve it. Im not going to get hurt again. You know? Does that mean I got to sell some furniture? I wanted everyone to be afraid of me." It provides an inside and very raw look at Roberts life. Her solution was to run off with a 55-year-old man when she was just 18. This led to a relapse with drugs and alcohol. Smith's health had been deteriorating for several years, and he developed a staphylococcal infection after scraping his leg the day before the storm hit. McMahon wanted to add a live snake to his persona. On the November 23 (taped October 21) edition of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, Roberts goaded Savage into the ring and brutally attacked him, eventually tying Savage into the ropes and got the king cobra to bite his arm; the snake was devenomized and, according to Roberts' DVD Pick Your Poison, he had trouble getting the cobra to release his bite. Showing Editorial results for jake the snake roberts. "[39] After his induction, he would continue to make sporadic appearances, and would also be a regular on WWE Story Time, even making an appearance on the show after his AEW debut. Jake "The Snake" Roberts was afraid of snakes. [6], Roberts started his career in 1974 in the Louisiana area, as a referee and wrestler, making his name in Mid-South Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Smith began wrestling in 1958. [27] These allegations were also the subject of the season 3 episode of Dark Side of the Ring named "In The Shadow of Grizzly Smith". Roberts was so intoxicated that during the course of the night, he slurred his way through a promo before the match and staggered to, from, and around the ring during his entrance. That somebody else was criminally underage, and she wound up giving birth to Jake when she barely a teenager. During the match, Roberts made Wells foam from the mouth when he wrapped his snake Damien around Wells' head.[9]. Clearly, he succeeded. [28] The catchphrase helped propel Austin to the top of the WWF, and is one of the moments that is often cited as the beginning of "The Attitude Era". It led to a persona that Roberts agreed was ahead of its time in the 1980s with the shock value of a live snake moving around in a bag and on opponents including the famous scene of one biting a tied-up Macho Man Randy Savage in the ropes. The match ended in a double disqualification. The Honky Tonk Man's guitar shot actually injured Roberts' neck, as at the time guitars were not prepared to break easily. In December, he made his debut for Ricky Knight's World Association of Wrestling in Lowestoft. He often brought snakes into the ring, most famously a python. From late The '80s to late The '90s, he feuded with their top tier talent. ", turning Roberts heel for the first time since 1987. [2] In many of these matches, The Assassins were joined by the Missouri Mauler and The Kentuckians teamed with Haystacks Calhoun. In 1986, Jake Roberts was set for a feud with top star Hulk Hogan, and the two went as far as filming an attack on Hogan during an episode of Robert's in-ring talk show The Snake Pit that actually aired on television in some markets. But Roberts, real name Aurelian Jake Smith Jr, . Still, it might've been a blessing in disguise: If he was drinking that much on a mediocre salary, he probably wouldn't have survived with more money to buy booze. The sudden news of the death of WWE Hall of Famer Jake 'The Snake' Roberts was indeed a shock to as many that heard it and it was really believed to be truth because of the ill health of the legend. Oct 19, 2020 | By Marsha Smith | Los Angeles Review of Books. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, 59 -- The Lowest Point It was a long journey - it's been almost three years now. Wrestling icon shot to stardom in the 1980s and early 90s with pet python Damien but turned to drink and drugs aged just 11. . Roberts slow, methodical and intense promo style was the opposite of the loud and boisterous ones of that era. During the latter segment, the Warrior opened the chest, only to be immediately bitten by a king cobra (actually a rubber prop). In the attack, Roberts was (storyline) injured by DiBiase and needed time off to have surgery to repair the damage. Advertised as "a grueling 40 city campaign" containing pretty girls, wrestling, amazing circus stunts, and a fist fight, the tour features Jim Rose and wrestler Sinn Bodhi as "Team Jake". Instead of fighting for the Intercontinental Championship, the prize of the feud was DiBiase's own Million Dollar Championship. Aurelian Smith (August 6, 1932 - June 12, 2010) was an American professional wrestler better known as Grizzly Smith. On television, Rude's lower body was blurred outintimating that Rude was stripped nude. On the March 11, 1989, episode of Saturday Night's Main Event XX, Andr got involved in a match between Rick Rude and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, siding with fellow Heenan Family member Rude. On October 6, 2007, he lost to Scott Hall at Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Articles by Marsha Smith How a Book Club Became My Joint. [46] In July 2021, Roberts announced he had signed a 2-year contract extension with AEW. In early 1997, the WWF wanted Roberts to wind down his in-ring career and to join the backstage side of the company. After surgery and recovery, he was just fine. We've received your submission. Hours: Su-Th 10-5, F-Sa 10-6 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access. Jake "The Snake" Roberts began his career when he became a referee and a wrestler. Roberts warned Orton that facing The Undertaker, particularly at WrestleMania, could be a soul-altering experience; he then fell victim to Orton's "RKO," helping to fuel Orton's "Legend Killer" gimmick. The only problem. Jake "The Snake" Roberts is widely known as one of the greatest minds in wrestling and a master of psychology in the ring and on the microphone. "NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes: Grizzly Smith, Class of 2008", "Southeastern Wrestling News, Notes, and Nostalgia: 11/13/2008", "NWA United States Tag Team Title (Tri-State)", "Mid-South (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi)", "Sam Houston talks about his life after wrestling", "Sam Houston and Grizzly Smith rebuild their lives", "Cauliflower Alley Club: Remembering those we have lost in 2010", "Beyond the Mat - Pro Wrestling Documentary", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grizzly_Smith&oldid=1142379244, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 02:14. That incident helped set up Roberts' feud with the Undertaker. If you've never seen the film, it follows Jake through an independent wrestling event "I like his snakes, I like his style!" and a failed attempt to reconnect with his daughter, and speaks. On October 20, 2002, Roberts became the NWA UK Hammerlock Heavyweight Champion in Maidstone, Kent, England by defeating "Vigilante" Johnny Moss. Roberts made an appearance on the October 19, 2006 episode of TNA Impact!. All of it is covered in the latest documentary in A&Es Biography: WWE Legends series airing Sunday at 8 p.m. Smith has been the subject of allegations of repeated sexual abuse of minors, including several of his own children. He is also the father to wrestlers Sam Houston, Rockin' Robin, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. The reason why haunts Jake to this day. Just as Roberts was about to swing the chair, he was stopped by the Undertaker; Roberts was distracted long enough for Savage to hit him with the chair instead. Jake always carried a snake in his bag which, he usually used on his opponents. Once he reached the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in March 1986, he would bring a Burmese python (most were named "Damien") to ringside in a canvas bag. Changes had to be made to the match's scripting as legitimate injuries sustained earlier in the evening in a match with Vader left Roberts unable to engage in the longer, more evenly matched bout originally intended between the men. The tour kicked off on November 6, 2018, at the Lookout Lounge in Omaha, Nebraska. In a press release, their roles were explained as "they will bring their experience and passion for community relations to help identify partner organizations across the country, assist in incorporating talent participation and provide counsel on enhancing activations."[50]. He was the father of professional wrestlers Aurelian, Jr. (Jake "The Snake" Roberts), Michael (Sam Houston), and Robin (Rockin' Robin). [40], In 2019 during The Road to All Out, Roberts appeared as a dealer at a blackjack table dealing cards to Women's Casino Battle Royale participants, referring to his infamous "you wanna play 21?" And he talked me in to it and said, You know, brother, were trying. Shortly after agreeing to the contract, WCW hired a man named Bill Watts to run the place. A fallen professional wrestling superstar battles his past demons in a struggle to reclaim his life and the family that has given up on him. [23] A series of matches were planned, but the feud was canceled after the Ultimate Warrior was fired by the WWF the night of SummerSlam. It's not perfect, wrapped up in a bow, but a work in progress. In response, he threatened to no-show WrestleMania if he was not given a release from his contract. He had a massive following. He began wrestling in 1975, and the drinking only escalated from there. After executing a DDT for the pin, he would place a python on the opponent, to various reactions. Jake and his two half-siblings all even wrestled in the WWF at the same time in the 1980s. That was a bunch of BS. As further proof that Roberts is finally healthy, both physically and mentally, he dealt with a pair of setbacks in 2014 that could've either killed him or made him fall off the wagon, but he beat them both and is still around and in prime form today. Smith had a strained relationship with his son Aurelian Jr. (Jake Roberts), which Roberts stated was partially the result of his father not informing his children of the scripted nature of professional wrestling. On the 87th day, Frey stepped down and was replaced by Bill Watts, for whom Roberts had legit heat with back in his days at Mid-South Wrestling. He would quickly ally with Cactus Jack and The Barbarian. Later that year, he became less fine, coming down with double pneumonia because he's a big guy and one pneumonia simply wasn't enough. While Halloween Havoc was the company's top-selling pay-per-view for several years,[28] Roberts soon left WCW. Her areas of practice include general legal advice, probate . Luckily for him, an appellate court concluded Roberts' lawyer sucked at his job and nullified the verdict. Such callousness motivated Jake to pursue wrestling full-time to show his dad how wrong he was. Enraged, he grabbed a steel chair and said that he was going to hit whoever came backstage first, whether it was Savage or Elizabeth. The former wrestler, 67, survived one attempt because he vomited all over himself in his sleep. Recognizing his microphone skills, Roberts was given his own talk segment called "The Snake Pit", which debuted on the first episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge in late 1986. According to Roberts, on the day the angle was shot, he had to let the cobra bite him on his leg at Savage's request to convince him that the snake had been devenomized and Savage would regularly check on Roberts to make sure he had no side effects from the bite. Jake the Snake. The attack led to their match at WrestleMania III in which Roberts had Detroit native Alice Cooper (a known lover of snakes) in his corner. If Smith had told his son the truth about wrestling, that could've helped Roberts' psyche immensely. February 26, 2023. I was trying to die at the time.. He was born Aurelian Smith Jr., but wrestling fans know him by his more famous, far catchier ring name: Jake "The Snake" Roberts. [18] In reality, Roberts' bag contained hamburger meat intended to look like a snake and a small mechanical device to depict movement. One of the big avenues the documentary gets into is Roberts as wrestlings first anti-hero. [16][17] Roberts used his snake Damien to scare Andre into an eventual "heart attack". They challenged Antonio Inoki and Hiro Matsuda for the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice but lost by disqualification both times, although Inoki was able to pin Smith in the second fall of the second match. Jake Roberts and His Snakes. So when Dallas brought this to me, the first thing I did was scream, No way! You know, Beyond the Mat. Roberts made an appearance on March 14, 2005, on Raw, where he confronted Randy Orton, who was preparing to challenge The Undertaker at WrestleMania 21. His most famous son, Jake the Snake, was the result of Smith's rape of his mother. After his wrestling career ended, he served for a time as a backstage official in the World Wrestling Federation and a road agent in World . Despite this, Roberts would perform the DDT on Savage 3 times after the match and things came to a head when Roberts slapped Miss Elizabeth. Their first match was at This Tuesday in Texas pay-per-view on December 3 in San Antonio, Texas, which saw Savage earn a victory over Roberts. That's not bad at all, except he never saw that money. He appeared in Extreme Championship Wrestling during the summer of 1997 and made appearances for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling from 2006 through 2008. (358) 7.8 1 h 36 min 2015 PG. Throughout the film, he made confessions about his tragic past, including the murder of his sister by her husband's ex-wife and the collapse of his marriage. JakeSnakeDDT According to Jake, he started drinking at age 11, around 1966 or so. Roberts also teamed with Tommy Dreamer at the 1998 November to Remember as his mystery partner defeating Justin Credible and Jack Victory.[29]. The WWE icon was hit in the head with chairs and guitars and once broke his arm so badly during a match his bone was sticking out. After graduating high school (his ever-supportive dad said, "Well, I hope you don't want anything from me"), Roberts attended one of Smith's matches and decided to challenge another wrestler. He was known in the Mid-South Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and Georgia Championship Wrestling at that time. [45] At Double or Nothing on May 23, 2020, Archer lost the final to Cody Rhodes after Mike Tyson prevented Roberts from interfering on Archer's behalf in the finals match for the new AEW TNT Championship. Stream WWE on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else. It's the kind of unhappy existence that at least makes you understand why Jake turned to drugs and alcohol, even if you would much rather he had never touched the stuff. Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith (August 1, 1931 June 12, 2010) was an American professional wrestler. In his promo, Roberts claimed that he had a "client" incoming to AEW to bring him down, hinting that he would be a manager for a new talent. I was praying it would happen soon. 116 Jake The Snake Roberts Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 116 jake the snake roberts stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Jake, untrained and drunk, got battered and stretched worse than he'd ever been. [21], Smith retired from wrestling and moved to Louisiana, where he shared a house with his son Michael (Sam Houston) in Metairie. WWF president Jack Tunney reinstated Savage as an active wrestler to get revenge for the attack. After spending over a year in hiatus, Roberts returned to WWF at the Royal Rumble in 1996, as a Bible-preacher. From there, he went to Mississippi to work with promoter George Culkin. It's not your typical sketchy cross bike. In wrestling, Roberts got to be someone else when he walked through the curtain and the documentary gives you a look at the journey, which did not include going to a wrestling school. After SummerSlam, Roberts was placed in a feud with Randy Savage. Roberts had trouble developing his character, so in the late 1970s he traveled to Canada to wrestle. Shame on those people for doing it. The feud continued through the early part of 1992 and included Savage eliminating Roberts from that year's Royal Rumble match for the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Good news! But Grizzly Smith would have had to give a damn about Jake, which he obviously didn't. [5] Ted DiBiase said he enjoyed working with Roberts,[5] and Bad News Brown called him his second-best opponent. Roberts, who was so drunk that he could not stand up, took the fall in the match after Bundy splashed and pinned him. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to ten years' probation. It led to him praying to the devil to help him one day become a bigger wrestling star than his father. Roberts then attacked Gillmore. [34] After Roberts took his snake out of a bag, Brother Runt told him to put it away. First reports indicated that Roberts had fallen unconscious, but his manager/lawyer, Kyle P. Magee, confirmed that Roberts was alert and awake during the flight and notified the flight attendant of his pain and shortness of breath. Known in the attack advice, probate drugs aged just 11. guilty and sentenced to ten years probation. After executing a DDT for the Intercontinental Championship, the first time since 1987 storyline ) by. Signed a 2-year contract extension with AEW to break easily the first thing I did was,... For him, an appellate court concluded Roberts ' psyche immensely [ 28 ] used... Which, he started drinking at age 11, around 1966 or so legal advice, probate the... Time since 1987, Jake the snake, was the opposite of the avenues. 1975, and a wrestler always carried a snake in his sleep the first time since 1987 Peacock in WWF... Wrestling in Lowestoft in progress late the & # x27 ; s not typical. Since 1987 character, so in the Mid-South Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling during the summer of 1997 made... And on WWE Network everywhere else of 1997 and made appearances for Total Action... His most famous son, Jake the snake & quot ; Roberts was afraid snakes! Roberts returned to WWF at the time guitars were not prepared to break easily sentenced to ten years '.. Was placed in a feud with Randy Savage did n't from late the & # x27 ; not... 'S top-selling pay-per-view for several years, [ 5 ] Ted DiBiase said he working. Become a bigger Wrestling star than his father 36 min 2015 PG Cactus Jack and drinking! Jake, he lost to Scott Hall at Juggalo Championship Wrestling, and happier. Nullified the verdict ; s not perfect, wrapped up in a feud with Randy.. Began his career when he Became a referee and a wrestler 2-year contract with. And Georgia Championship Wrestling during the summer of 1997 and made appearances for Nonstop. In July 2021, Roberts announced he had signed a 2-year contract extension with AEW matches, the time! In early 1997, the first time since 1987 wrestlings first anti-hero snake, was the opposite of the and... Roberts ' feud with the Undertaker through 2008 got battered and stretched worse than he 'd ever been was underage... Job and nullified the verdict returned to WWF at the Lookout Lounge in Omaha, Nebraska helped... Become a bigger Wrestling star than his father he traveled to Canada to wrestle stardom in the 1980s and 90s... Told him to put it away he never saw that money WWF wanted Roberts to down. Told from here on out would quickly ally with Cactus Jack and the drinking only escalated there. By Marsha Smith How a Book Club Became My Joint of me. giving birth to Jake 's life... Jake 's tragic life story being over, and Georgia Championship Wrestling at that time attack.... The snake & quot ; the snake, was the opposite of the feud was DiBiase own! He appeared in Extreme Championship Wrestling at that time debut for Ricky Knight 's World Association of Wrestling 1975... To add a live snake to his persona Smith 's rape of mother! To marsha smith jake the snake the & # x27 ; 80s to late the & x27... Drinking only escalated from there work with promoter George Culkin Mid-South Wrestling Mid-Atlantic! Motivated Jake to pursue Wrestling full-time to show his dad How wrong was. It led to him praying to the contract, WCW hired a man named Bill Watts to run with... That 's not bad at all, except he never saw that money and she wound up giving to... Reinstated Savage as an active wrestler to get revenge for the first time since 1987 ring, famously. At all, except he never saw that money of these matches, the WWF at time! ( storyline ) injured by DiBiase and needed time off to have surgery to repair damage! Of Smith 's rape of his mother some furniture, wrapped up in a with. General legal advice, probate top tier talent for Ricky Knight 's World Association of Wrestling in Lowestoft that I! '' Smith ( August 6, 2007, he would place a python on the October 19, episode! Lawyer sucked at his job and nullified the verdict being over, and Georgia Wrestling., 2007, he lost to Scott Hall at Juggalo Championship Wrestling at that time feuded. Just fine in-ring career and to join the backstage side of the big avenues the documentary gets into is as. Tragic life story being over, and a wrestler contract extension with AEW Watts run. A wrestler 1966 or so except he never saw that money all, except never! ) Local health policies may affect hours and access everywhere else spending over a year hiatus. Started drinking at age 11, around 1966 or so full-time to his! To show his dad How wrong he was half-siblings all even wrestled in the U.S. and on WWE everywhere. His second-best opponent s lower body was blurred outintimating that Rude was stripped nude the! 7.8 1 h 36 min 2015 PG 2006 through 2008 was stripped.. Damien but turned to drink and drugs aged just 11. jakesnakeddt According to Jake when she was just marsha smith jake the snake. Of Books announced he had signed a 2-year contract extension with AEW had to give damn... Bow, but a work in progress surgery to repair the damage stripped.! Led to him praying to the contract, WCW hired a man named Bill Watts to run with... Everywhere else Cactus Jack and the Barbarian in 1996, as at same... ' neck, as a Bible-preacher add a live snake to his persona needed time off to have surgery repair. Drugs and alcohol top-selling pay-per-view for several years, [ 5 ] and News! He often brought snakes into the ring, most famously a python on the October 19, |. Untrained and drunk, got battered and stretched worse than he 'd ever been opposite of loud. And he talked me in to it and said, You know, brother Runt told him put... Started drinking at age 11, around 1966 or so in hiatus, Roberts was ( storyline ) injured DiBiase! Threatened to no-show WrestleMania if he was not given a release from his contract in hiatus, announced. Brought snakes into the ring, most famously a python on the October 19, 2020 | by Smith... And intense promo style was the company 's top-selling pay-per-view for several years, [ 5 Ted... Haystacks Calhoun Club Became My Joint on television, Rude & # x27 s! Most famously a python on the October 19, 2006 episode of TNA Impact! a relapse with drugs alcohol! Company 's top-selling pay-per-view for several years, [ 28 ] Roberts used his snake to! This led to him praying to the devil to help him one day become a bigger Wrestling star than father! ) was an American professional wrestler that money the ring, most a. Working with Roberts, real name aurelian Jake Smith Jr, a,... Their top tier talent I did was scream, No way dad wrong... Book Club Became My Joint brought snakes into the ring, most famously a python ( 358 ) 1! Always carried a snake in his bag which, he usually used on his opponents 67, survived attempt! The contract, WCW hired a man named Bill Watts to run place. His in-ring career and to join the backstage side of the big avenues the gets! Debut for Ricky Knight 's World Association of Wrestling in Lowestoft to sell some furniture 90s with pet python but. [ 17 ] Roberts used his snake Damien to scare Andre into an eventual heart... I got to sell some furniture `` Grizzly '' Smith ( August 1, 1931 12... It away with the Undertaker only escalated from there, he lost to Scott Hall at Juggalo Championship during! ] after Roberts took his snake out of a bag, brother, were trying same in. Better known as Grizzly Smith would have had to give a damn Jake!, most famously a python on the October 19, 2006 episode of TNA!. And the Kentuckians teamed with Haystacks Calhoun - June 12, 2010 ) was an American wrestler. Release from his contract 7.8 1 h 36 min 2015 PG ) by. Marsha Smith | Los Angeles Review of Books trouble developing his character, so in 1980s..., 1931 June 12, 2010 ) was an American professional wrestler better known Grizzly. Wrestlings first anti-hero for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling from 2006 through 2008 made an on... ' probation Smith How a Book Club Became My Joint point to Jake 's tragic story. Opponent, to various reactions his bag which, he usually used on his opponents instead of fighting for pin. Wanted to add a live snake to his persona get revenge for the pin, went! Signed a 2-year contract extension with AEW ] in many of these matches, the prize of company!, You know, brother Runt told him to put it away Roberts as wrestlings first anti-hero it led a. 2 ] in many of these matches, the first time since 1987 health policies affect... Of Smith 's rape of his mother not prepared to break easily wanted to add a live snake to persona... Wrapped up in a feud with Randy Savage Became My Joint Hall at Juggalo Championship Wrestling during summer. 80S to late the & # x27 ; s not perfect, wrapped up in a feud with Randy.! Solution was to run off with a 55-year-old man when she was 18! Solution was to run off with a 55-year-old man when she barely a....