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Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Statistics
Ring name(s) Jake Roberts
El Diablo
The Texan
Billed height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Billed weight 249 lb (118 kg)
Born May 30, 1955 (1955-05-30) (age 53)
Gainesville, Texas
Resides Gainesville, Florida
Billed from Stone Mountain, Georgia
Debut May 13, 1975

Aurelian Smith, Jr. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Gainesville is a city in Cooke County, Texas, United States. The population was 15538 at the 2000 census Gainesville is the largest City in and County seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States. Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. (born May 30, 1955), better known by his ring name of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, is a second-generation American professional wrestler and the son of former wrestler Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) A ring name is a Stage name used by a professional wrestler, or in some cases a Martial artist or boxer. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff Aurelian Smith (born May 7, 1930) is a Professional wrestler better known as Grizzly Smith. Roberts is arguably best known for his two stints in the World Wrestling Federation—the first between 1986 and 1992, and the second between 1996 and 1997—though he also wrestled in World Championship Wrestling in 1992 and the Mexico-based Asistencia Asesoría y Administración between 1993 and 1994 and again in 1997. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Lucha libre ( Spanish for "free wrestling" is a term used in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking areas to refer to a certain form of Professional wrestling Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA (Spanish for "Assistance Consulting and Administration" is a Lucha Libre Professional wrestling promotion Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar

Throughout his career he was known for his promos and his dark charisma, his extensive use of psychology in his matches, and has been credited for inventing the DDT, though that has been challenged. In Professional wrestling, a promo is short for "promotional interview" a dialogue or monologue used to advance a storyline. The word charisma (origin from the Greek word χάρισμα (kharisma, "gift" or "divine favor" from kharizesthai, "to favor" In Professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive a held opponent's head into the mat He is also credited with training the wrestlers Diamond Dallas Page and Raven, as well as teaching much about wrestling psychology to his on-screen enemies, Steve Austin and the Undertaker. For the 1930s cricketer see Dallas Page (cricketer Page Joseph Falkinburg Jr Scott Anthony Levy (born September 8 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) better known by his Ring name Raven, is an American Professional Steven Williams (born Steven Anderson on December 18 1964 This defiance was often shown by Austin flipping McMahon off and incapacitating him with the Mark William Calaway (born March 24 1965 is an American professional wrestler, better known by his Ring name The Undertaker.

Roberts was one of the subjects of the 1999 documentary film Beyond the Mat. The year 1999 in film involved some significant events and was arguably the most successful year for films released in the 1990s Beyond the Mat is a 1999 Professional wrestling documentary, directed by Barry W

Roberts is a one-time Stampede North American Heavyweight Champion as well as winning many other championships during his wrestling career.

Contents

Wrestling career

Mid-South Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Class Championship Wrestling

Roberts started his career in 1974 in the Louisiana area, as a referee and wrestler, making his name in Mid-South Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America The Universal Wrestling Federation was owner Bill Watts ' attempt at taking his Mid-South Wrestling promotion to a national level in 1986 Georgia Championship Wrestling was a Professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta Georgia superstation It was in the National Wrestling Alliance during 1983 that Roberts became part of Paul Ellering's heel stable, The Legion of Doom, and began a feud with Ron Garvin over the NWA World Television Championship that lasted into 1984. The National Wrestling Alliance ( NWA) is the largest governing body for a group of independent Professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various NWA Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) "Precious" Paul Ellering (born August 22, 1953) is a retired Professional wrestling manager. The Road Warriors were a Professional wrestling Tag team famously composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis A Professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or factions of wrestlers Ron Garvin (born Roger Barnes on March 30 1945) is a Canadian former professional wrestler and referee most known for his time in the The NWA National Television Championship was a secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Georgia Championship Wrestling territory Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) In 1984, Jake Roberts entered World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) joining up with "Gentleman" Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez in their feud against the Von Erichs, winning the World Class Championship Wrestling Television title and World Class Championship Wrestling Six Man Tag Team titles (with Adams and Hernandez) Roberts returned to Mid-South Wrestling for 1985, ending his run there in February 1986 after a feud with Dick Slater. World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW was a popular regional Professional wrestling promotion run out of Dallas and Fort Worth Texas. This article is about the Wrestler, for the Cricketer, see Christopher Adams (cricketer Christopher Adams ( February 10 Charles Wolfe ( August 14, 1957 - February 1, 1986) was a Professional wrestler better known by his ring name Gino Hernandez The Von Erich family is a Professional wrestling family Their actual birth names are "Adkisson" but every member of the family that went into the wrestling Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Richard Van Slater (born May 19 1951 better known by his ring name "Dirty" Dick Slater, was an American professional wrestler who wrestled

The origins of the DDT

Main article: DDT (professional wrestling)

In the 1980s, Roberts had his opponent, The Grappler, in a front facelock, but tripped. In Professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive a held opponent's head into the mat Len Denton (real name - Edward Lynn Denton) is a Professional wrestler, best known by his ring name The Grappler. [1] Roberts' opponent fell on his head. The Grappler was clever enough to quickly sell the fledgling new move. In Professional wrestling, the sell is the physical element of making the action appear realistic to the crowd [1] From that match, Roberts incorporated the move as his finisher, naming it the DDT, though instead of falling back, he stepped back before falling (which, as he explained on his DVD Pick Your Poison, was the quickest way to drive his opponent's head into the mat and also gave the move a "snap" effect). In Professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive a held opponent's head into the mat When asked what the initials DDT stood for, he famously replied "The End. "

How he became "The Snake"

Roberts derived his nickname from being thin and snake-like. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. Roberts also said that he got his nickname from Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken "The Snake" Stabler. The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. Ken "Kenny" Michael Stabler (born December 25, 1945 in Foley Alabama) nicknamed "The Snake", is a former American To accentuate this, he often would slide ("slither") into and out of the ring on his belly under the bottom rope. Once he reached the WWF in March 1986, Roberts would bring a huge, live Burmese Python (though various snakes were used over the years, most were named "Damien") to ringside in a canvas bag. The Burmese Python ( Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest Snakes in the world native After executing a DDT, Roberts would coil the constrictor around the opponent's neck, and the snake would slither around on top of the fallen wrestler, sometimes appearing to strangle him. Besides the fact that numerous fellow wrestlers and commentators were legitimately afraid of snakes, it was a masterful show of kayfabe, as the wrestler lay twitching and sometimes foaming at the mouth with the monstrous snake appearing to squeeze the life out of him. In Professional wrestling, legit (from "legitimate" is a slang term used to describe a match or event which has not been booked, or a performer In Professional wrestling, kayfabe (ˈkeɪfeɪb KAY-fayb) refers to the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" that is the portrayal of professional This display of theatricality got over with professional wrestling fans when George Wells, former Canadian Football League player turned wrestler, played "victim" to Damien at WrestleMania 2. George Wells or Welles (born October 30 1947 is a retired American professional wrestler and Canadian Football League football player who competed in North The Canadian Football League (CFL ( Ligue canadienne de football (LCF in WrestleMania 2 was the second annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (although His frothing at the mouth sold the gimmick as being something lethal.

World Wrestling Federation

1986-1988

Roberts' first major feud was against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Richard Henry Blood (born February 28, 1953 in West Point, New York) Few WWF fans knew that the two were former tag team partners in the National Wrestling Alliance, as it was never acknowledged on camera. The National Wrestling Alliance ( NWA) is the largest governing body for a group of independent Professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various NWA The feud began on a nationally televised episode of Saturday Night's Main Event in May 1986. Roberts DDTed Steamboat on the floor right in front of his wife, Bonnie, whom Roberts had pointed to just before delivering the blow and then proceeded to rest Damien on top of a prone Steamboat. Roberts went so far as to put the snake in Steamboat's mouth. He later stated that he was initially against doing the angle for fear that he might seriously injure or kill Steamboat. While Vince McMahon and booker George Scott were adamant about wanting the DDT to take place on the floor, he refused until Steamboat told him that he would be able to adequately protect himself from injury. Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr Steamboat was rendered unconscious and sustained a concussion[2] from the force of the blow.

After Steamboat's recovery, the feud featured Steamboat introducing a "Komodo dragon" (actually a small alligator) as his "pet" to combat the psychological effects Roberts' reptilian counterpart had on most adversaries. The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis) is a species of Lizard that inhabits the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili for differences between alligators and crocodiles please see Crocodilia An Alligator is a Crocodilian in the Genus The feud continued with Steamboat winning most of the matches, most notably a Snake Pit Match (obstensibly a no-DQ match) at The Big Event in Toronto, and the rematch on the October 1986 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event. Since their feud ended, both men have cited tremendous respect for one another, stating that the feud was a personal favorite for both. When asked about "The Dragon" in an interview, Roberts stated, "[Steamboat] was a great wrestler, but an even better man. "

One of the more memorable moments in his career was when he had Alice Cooper in his corner at WrestleMania III in 1987. Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer songwriter and musician whose career spans five WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation Jake's WrestleMania III opponent, The Honky Tonk Man, brutally attacked Jake[3] with a guitar on Jake's interview segment The Snake Pit, making Roberts into a babyface. WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation Honky Tonk Man redirects here For the song by Johnny Horton later covered by Dwight Yoakam see Honky Tonk Man (song. In reality, The Honky Tonk Man's guitar shot legitimately injured Jake's neck. [4] The shot was prior to the use of breakaway guitars, so it caused a legit injury. In Professional wrestling, legit (from "legitimate" is a slang term used to describe a match or event which has not been booked, or a performer [4] Jake started using pain killers following the injury, which led to severe opiate addictions later in his life. The Honky Tonk Man denies that he legitimately injured Jake, although a video of the incident (seen on Jake's Pick Your Poison DVD) does much to suggest otherwise. Jake would go on to (unsuccessfully) challenge The Honky Tonk Man for the Intercontinental Championship several times throughout the rest of 1987. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Intercontinental Championship is a Professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment.

Perhaps his best-known feud was against "Ravishing" Rick Rude, who was doing a gimmick where he would select a woman from the audience to kiss after each match. Richard E Rood ( December 7 1958 – April 20 1999) better known by his Ring name "Ravishing" Rude inadvertently chose Jake's real-life wife Cheryl, who refused the kiss; Jake rescued her before Rude could attack, although Cheryl slapped him hard enough to send Rude reeling. At another event, Rude wore a pair of tights emblazoned with a visage of Mrs. Roberts, which an irate Jake tore off. This sent Rude running apparently naked from the ring when shown on TV, although those at the arena saw Rude in a thong. Origin G-string or thong is probably the earliest form of Clothing known to mankind having originated in the warmer climates of Sub-Saharan Africa where clothing

1989-1990

Next, "The Snake" engaged in a feud with André the Giant. André René Roussimoff (May 19 1946 &ndash January 27 1993 best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and Actor In this storyline, Roberts used his snake to gain a psychological edge over the snake-averse André (who as part of the angle staged a heart attack on national television), to nullify the Giant's overwhelming size and strength advantage. Jake can claim a victory via disqualification over André after André attacked special guest referee Big John Studd at WrestleMania V. John William Minton ( February 19, 1948 – March 20, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and Actor, WrestleMania V was the fifth annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF

Shortly after his feud with André had ended, Roberts entered into a feud with "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase Sr (born January 18 1954 Pro wrestling career Mid-South Wrestling (First run 1975-1979 Ted DiBiase was trained It was at this time that Roberts' disc problems were publicly acknowledged, as DiBiase attacked Roberts after a victory over his bodyguard Virgil on WWF Superstars of Wrestling. Mike Jones (born June 13, 1960 in Nashville Tennessee) is a retired American professional wrestler better known as WWF Superstars of Wrestling was a Professional wrestling program that debuted on September 6, 1986 and was aired until 2001. In the attack, Roberts was "injured" by DiBiase and needed time off to have surgery to repair the damage. 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 to retrieve it. The Million-Dollar Championship was an unsanctioned title in the World Wrestling Federation created by The "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. The culmination of their feud took place at WrestleMania VI, where in a match where the Million Dollar Belt was on the line, DiBiase gained a count-out victory over Roberts, thus regaining the non-sanctioned title. WrestleMania VI was the World Wrestling Federation 's (WWF sixth WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event and the first to After the match, Roberts, to the delight of his fans at the packed SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, mounted an offensive against DiBiase and Virgil and began giving away DiBiase's "money". SkyDome redirects here for other uses see SkyDome (disambiguation Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec

Following a brief feud with Bad News Brown in the summer of 1990, Roberts feuded with "The Model" Rick Martel throughout late 1990 into early 1991, after Martel blinded Roberts (kayfabe) by spraying cologne into his eyes. Allen James Coage ( October 22 1943 &ndash March 6 2007) also known as Bad News Brown and Bad News Allen, was an Rick Martel (born Richard Vigneault on March 18 1956) is a French-Canadian former professional wrestler, best known for his appearances Roberts went so far as to wear white contact lenses to 'prove' his blindness. After several months, the feud culminated in a match at WrestleMania VII, in which both contestants were blindfolded. WrestleMania VII was the seventh annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation The bout ended after Roberts vanquished his rival with the DDT.

1991-1992

In early to mid-1991, Roberts engaged in a feud with Earthquake after his 468-pound body "squashed" Damien (in actuality, it was hamburger stuffed in pantyhose with a small motor to make it look like a live snake was in the bag), and then used Damien's "carcass" to make "Quakeburgers", which he fed to on-air commentator Lord Alfred Hayes. Pantyhose (also called tights) are sheer, close fitting coverings of the body from the Waist to the feet Alfred George James Hayes ( August 8, 1928 – July 21, 2005) was an English professional wrestler, manager and Jake appeared on Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake's interview segment The Barbershop and stated that "you could do two things: Roll over and die, or get yourself a bigger snake", in which he revealed that his new snake was a larger python, a reticulated python whom he named "Lucifer" -- the supposed big brother of Damien and "the devil himself. Edward Harrison Leslie (born April 21 1957) is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation "

In mid-1991 Jake Roberts turned heel once again. For weeks, he was the one the Ultimate Warrior turned to in his feud with The Undertaker. For the South Korean film Ultimate Warrior see Musa (film. For other uses see Warrior (disambiguation. Mark William Calaway (born March 24 1965 is an American professional wrestler, better known by his Ring name The Undertaker. The angle involved Roberts telling the Warrior that he would have the knowledge of the dark side necessary to defeat his adversary after passing three tests, which would be shown on WWF TV in consecutive weeks. The first was to be locked inside of a coffin, repeating an incident that occurred on The Funeral Parlor (which was hosted by 'Taker's manager Paul Bearer), a few months prior. William Alvin Moody (born April 10 1954) better known by his Ring names Percy Pringle and Paul Bearer, is a former Professional The second test had Roberts "bury" the Warrior alive in dirt and walk offscreen. The third test involved Warrior entering a room full of snakes and having to walk through them to find "the answer" in a chest in the middle of the room. When the Warrior opened the chest, he was alarmed to find a King Cobra, which (kayfabe) bit him in the face; in actuality, the snake was devenomized and in fact, never actually bit him. The King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous Snake, with a length that can be as large as 5 As Warrior "weakened" from the "effects" of the cobra's strike, Roberts was joined by The Undertaker and Paul Bearer, revealing the three were in cahoots all along with Roberts telling Warrior "Never trust a snake. " The feud was quickly canceled after The Ultimate Warrior was fired by the WWF the night of SummerSlam. SummerSlam (1991 was the fourth annual SummerSlam Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation

Afterward, Roberts had an intense feud with Randy Savage after he interrupted the Savages' wedding reception by putting a snake in one of the gift boxes at SummerSlam 1991 and later used a (de-venomed) cobra to bite Savage's arm. Randall Mario Poffo (born November 15 1952) a 1 time Intercontinental Champion He is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School Cobras ( are venomous Snakes of the family Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. According to Jake's DVD Pick Your Poison, he had trouble getting the cobra to release his bite. The segment went on longer than planned, and Randy's blood was clearly visible, dripping from the puncture wounds. In an ironic twist, the snake died after the incident, due to a toxic reaction (Savage would later joke in shoot interviews that the snake received the venom from him). WWF president Jack Tunney reinstated Savage, who had lost a retirement match (to the Ultimate Warrior) earlier that year at WrestleMania VII, as an active wrestler to get revenge for the attack. Jack Tunney (b John Tunney 1935 &ndash January 24 2004) was a Canadian Wrestling promoter WrestleMania VII was the seventh annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation To explain the absence of the cobra in kayfabe, Tunney "banned" Roberts from ever bringing a snake to the ring again. Savage and Roberts feuded for the next few months. Their first match was at the Tuesday in Texas pay-per-view, which saw the "Macho Man" earn a victory over Roberts, but it was Roberts who would have the last laugh as he attacked Savage after the match and slapped Savage's wife, Miss Elizabeth, in the middle of the ring. This Tuesday in Texas was a World Wrestling Federation Pay-per-view event that took place on December 3 1991 at the Freeman Coliseum Elizabeth Ann Hulette ( November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003) best known as Miss Elizabeth, was a U The feud would continue through the early part of 1992, and included Savage eliminating Roberts from that year's Royal Rumble match. Royal Rumble (1992 was the fifth annual Royal Rumble Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation The feud ended on Saturday Night's Main Event, with Savage getting the duke. Roberts, livid at having lost to his arch-nemesis and having received two of Savage's patented flying elbow drops (one of which happened after the match; Savage was going for a third until officials intervened), was helped backstage. Enraged, he grabbed a steel chair and said that he was going to hit whoever came backstage first, whether it was Savage or Elizabeth. Just as he was about to swing the chair, someone stopped him. While Savage and Liz, seeing they had averted a potential attack, stalled, Jake turned to confront The Undertaker, who distracted Roberts long enough so that Savage could hit Roberts with a chair instead.

In early 1992, Jake turned on The Undertaker, who had been his partner in the assault on Savage's wedding, thus completing the Undertaker's babyface turn. In Professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as Heroic relative to the heel wrestlers who are analogous to villains On The Funeral Parlor, Roberts locked the Undertaker's hand in a casket and DDT'ed the show's host and Undertaker's manager Paul Bearer, before hitting Undertaker repeatedly with a steel chair. William Alvin Moody (born April 10 1954) better known by his Ring names Percy Pringle and Paul Bearer, is a former Professional At WrestleMania VIII, Roberts was defeated. WrestleMania VIII was the eighth annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF He left the WWF soon after that, upset that WWF chairman Vince McMahon didn't offer him a position on the writing staff, despite being promised previously. Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr After Pat Patterson stepped down from his post on the writing staff, Vince decided that out of respect for Patterson, the spot would be left vacant. Pat Patterson may refer to Jacob E "Pat" Patterson, former Mayor of Minden Louisiana Pat Jake felt he was not only being lied to, but also being betrayed. In response, Jake threatened to no-show WrestleMania VIII if he wasn't given a release from his contract.

World Championship Wrestling

Jake went on to work for World Championship Wrestling alongside his father, Grizzly Smith, where he aligned himself with The Barbarian and Cactus Jack to feud against Sting and Nikita Koloff. Aurelian Smith (born May 7, 1930) is a Professional wrestler better known as Grizzly Smith. Sione Havea Vailahi (born September 6, 1958) is a professional wrestler best known under the name of The Barbarian. Michael Francis "Mick" Foley Sr Early life Foley was born in Bloomington Indiana. Nikita S Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson March 9, 1959) is a former American professional wrestler who wrestled throughout However, before he could officially join WCW, he had to wait almost 90 days. According to the Pick Your Poison DVD, Jake had initially signed a lucrative contract under Kip Allen Frey, who was running WCW at the time. K Allen Frey is a Venture capitalist and an Adjunct professor at the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy of Duke University. On the 87th day, Frey stepped down and was replaced by Bill Watts, for whom Jake had legitimate heat with back in his days at Mid-South Wrestling. Bill Watts, (born May 5 1939 in Oklahoma City Oklahoma) is a former American Professional wrestler and promoter Ultimately, Jake estimates that he went from making about $3 and a half million a year to approximately $200,000 a year. His single WCW pay-per-view match was against Sting at Halloween Havoc 1992. Pay-per-view (often abbreviated PPV) is the system in which Television viewers can purchase events to be seen on TV and pay for the private telecast of that event Halloween Havoc was an annual Professional wrestling Pay-per-view produced by World Championship Wrestling from 1989 through 2000 Their match was determined via the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal gimmick,[5] which was inspired by the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a Golden Globe -nominated 1985 film the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise There was a series of gimmick matches on the wheel, but because the wheel wasn't gimmicked, it landed on what many pundits believed was the worst option -- The Coal Miner's Glove match. Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing However, it was the company's top-selling PPV for several years,[5] but Jake soon left WCW.

First AAA run

Jake debuted in the Mexican promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración in April 1993, causing the defeat of Konnan on the career vs. Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA (Spanish for "Assistance Consulting and Administration" is a Lucha Libre Professional wrestling promotion Charles Ashenoff (sometimes seen Hispanicized as Carlos Ashenoff) (born June 6 1964 in Santiago de Cuba) better known by his Ring name, career match in the first, historic Triplemania. Jake's run-in lit a feud that lasted until 1994 at Triplemania III, in which Konnan managed to defeat Roberts in a hair vs. hair match. Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing

Return to WWF

Jake returned to WWF at the 1996 Royal Rumble, as a Bible-preaching face. Royal Rumble (1996 was the ninth annual Royal Rumble Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin In Professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as Heroic relative to the heel wrestlers who are analogous to villains [5] To go along with his new gimmick, his new snake was named "Revelations. The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John ( pronounced, from the Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου " Revelations was an Albino Burmese Python, the same breed as his past snakes, just albino. His gimmick also mirrored his real life, as Roberts had recently become a born-again Christian and had been preaching around the country. [5]

Roberts was pushed as a "Cinderella story" and faced Steve Austin in the final match of the King of the Ring tournament. In American and Canadian Sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a Steven Williams (born Steven Anderson on December 18 1964 This defiance was often shown by Austin flipping McMahon off and incapacitating him with the King of the Ring is a Professional wrestling Single-elimination tournament held by World Wrestling Entertainment. Austin defeated Roberts and mocked the Snake's recital of the biblical passage John 3:16 by saying "You sit there, and you thump your bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere. . . Talk about your Psalms, talk about your John 3:16 . . . Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass!". [5] The infamous catchphrase would help propel Austin to the top of the WWF and pro wrestling throughout the "attitude era" of the late 1990's to early 2000's.

Then Jake feuded with Jerry "The King" Lawler, who went to great lengths to ridicule Jake's past bouts against alcoholism. Jerry Lawler (born November 29 1949 is an American Musician, Film Actor, Politician, professional wrestler and wrestling At one point, Lawler spat real whiskey at Roberts. Roberts was released from the WWF in 1997.

During this time, Roberts and fellow wrestler Vader appeared on the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World for one episode. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Boy Meets World was an American Television sitcom that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, who grows up from a

Second AAA run

For some months of 1997 Jake fought again in the AAA, teaming with Gorgeous George III, Glen Jacobs, and Rick Bogner. Robert Kellum (b January 26, 1973) is a Professional wrestler and Actor, best known as the The Maestro in World Championship Glen Thomas Jacobs In the 1988–1989 season he was an NCAA All-star; he is still listed in the Truman State University media guide as holding the record for highest Richard (Rick Bogner (born January 16, 1970 in Calgary, Alberta) is a Canadian professional wrestler; he is best This stint was without success and Roberts left AAA after Triplemania V.

Beyond the Mat and Heroes of Wrestling

For more details on this topic, see Heroes of Wrestling#The infamous Jake Roberts interview. Heroes of Wrestling was a Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event that took place on October 10 1999 from the Casino Magic

The year 1999 featured two notorious incidents showcasing the depths of Roberts' drug and alcohol addiction. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)

Jake was unflatteringly featured in the wrestling documentary Beyond the Mat. Beyond the Mat is a 1999 Professional wrestling documentary, directed by Barry W Throughout the film he made numerous confessions about his tragic past, including the murder of his sister and the collapse of his marriage. Amongst the more disturbing moments was Roberts reportedly smoking crack in a hotel room after a reunion with his daughter Brandy, though the act is not shown on camera. Crack cocaine or crack is a solid smokable form of Cocaine. It is a freebase form of cocaine that can be made using baking soda ( Sodium bicarbonate In 2005, Jake, along with others, heavily criticized the film for showing him in a negative light, complaining that the depiction of him was "not the real Jake Roberts. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " Roberts also claimed that director Barry Blaustein and Terry Funk lied to him about the aims of the film, telling him it was a television special on the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Terrence "Terry" Funk (born June 30 1944) is an American professional wrestler and Actor known chiefly for the A television special is a Television program, typically a Short film or Television movie, which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally Drug abuse has a wide range of definitions related to taking a Psychoactive drug or Performance enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions

Also in 1999, at an Independent PPV show entitled Heroes of Wrestling, Jake cut a rambling, incoherent promo[6] in which he heavily slurred his words. Heroes of Wrestling was a Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event that took place on October 10 1999 from the Casino Magic Minutes later, he staggered toward the ring, apparently drunk, for an awkward match with Jim Neidhart. James Henry "Jim" Neidhart (born August 2, 1956) Neidhart pursued a career in the National Football League, where he played briefly for the The Pay Per View ended abruptly, cutting to black with the commentators in mid-sentence just as Jake was motioning that he was about to remove his pants.

2001-2005

In 2001, Jake Roberts moved to Great Britain, where he began competing for Brian Dixon's All-Star Wrestling. In December, he made his debut for Ricky Knight's World Association of Wrestling in Lowestoft.

On October 20, 2002, Jake Roberts became the NWA (UK) Hammerlock Heavyweight Champion in Maidstone, Kent, England by defeating "Vigilante" Johnny Moss. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Moss defeated him for the title the next night in Ashford, Kent, England, though. In November 2002, Jake started his own wrestling promotion in the UK, called "Real Stars of Wrestling". November 2002: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Jake's legal troubles continued, after he was accused of animal cruelty for leaving the snakes at his house unfed for several months. Cruelty to animals refers to the infliction of unnecessary Suffering or Harm to animals

Jake made his final British appearance at WAW's October Outrage show in Canvey Island, Essex, once again teaming with Steve Quintain against the U. K. Pitbulls. However, Jake turned up at the show "in no fit state to compete", but went ahead with his match. Jake cut a drunken promo paying tribute to Ray Traylor, who had died a few days before, and almost got into a scuffle with several WAW wrestlers who were sent out to defuse the situation. This involved challenging the young Zak Zodiac, son of Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya, and who was only 13 at the time, to a fight.

Jake made a WWE appearance on March 14, 2005 on RAW, where he confronted Randy Orton, who was preparing to challenge the Undertaker at WrestleMania 21. Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article is about the television program You may be looking for the 1994 video game or the 2002 video game WWE Raw is Randal "Randy" Keith Orton (born on April 1 1980 Before being promoted to the main WWE roster Orton trained in and wrestled for Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment Roberts warned Orton that facing The Undertaker, particularly at WrestleMania, could be a soul-altering experience; he then fell victim to Orton's signature "RKO," helping to fuel Orton's "Legend Killer" gimmick. He worked with the company to create a DVD retrospective of his career, which was released later that year.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2006)

Jake made an appearance on the October 19, 2006 edition of TNA iMPACT!, making a surprise appearance to a huge pop from the live audience. Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. The year 2006 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2006. TNA Impact! (official typeset " TNA iMPACT! " is a Professional wrestling Television program produced by Total He announced he would referee the Monster's Ball match between Brother Runt, Abyss, Raven, and Samoa Joe at Bound for Glory. Matthew Johnathan "Matt" Hyson (born August 13 1970) and was a Third grade English Teacher. Christopher J "Chris" Parks Border City Wrestling BCW Can-Am Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time Scott Anthony Levy (born September 8 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) better known by his Ring name Raven, is an American Professional Nuufolau Joel Seanoa (born March 17 1979 Before becoming a wrestler Seanoa worked as a Mortgage broker. Bound for Glory 2006 was the second annual Bound for Glory Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Jake proceeded to cut a rambling, incoherent promo that was barely audible to the live audience. At least once he ended up on his back during the promo and had trouble getting up. The promo lasted a couple of minutes live but was so incoherent that it was edited down to about 15 seconds on iMPACT. He had a snake in a bag, which he placed on Brother Runt after Runt came out and confronted Jake. At one point he even stuffed the snake's head down the front of Runt's pants. The confrontation was only partially aired on iMPACT. At Bound For Glory on October 22, 2006, he performed his signature DDT on Raven, giving Samoa Joe the win in the Monster's Ball match. Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. In Professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive a held opponent's head into the mat Jake did his signature after match ritual by putting a snake (which resembled "Revelations") on Raven.

2007 Rehabilitation

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has extended an offer to pay for any current or former WWWF/WWF/WWE performer to go to substance abuse rehabilitation regardless of their addiction or status with the company. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Drug rehabilitation (often drug rehab or just rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency This is an extension of the WWE Wellness Program.

According to various wrestling news reporters, as well as his own MySpace page, Jake was placed in a 14-week voluntary rehab program by WWE as of December 10, 2007. MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and [7][8]

In May 2008, Jim Ross reported that, "Jake Roberts has been doing well the past few weeks, after completing a treatment program. "[1]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • AWF Puerto Rican Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1996)
  • PWI ranked him # 100 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003. In Professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive a held opponent's head into the mat Attacking maneuvers are offensive moves in Professional wrestling, used to set up an opponent for a submission hold or for a throw. Attacking maneuvers are offensive moves in Professional wrestling, used to set up an opponent for a submission hold or for a throw. Professional wrestling throws are the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him or her down which makes up most of the action of In Professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler (or wrestlers for a variety of reasons Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer songwriter and musician whose career spans five WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation "Precious" Paul Ellering (born August 22, 1953) is a retired Professional wrestling manager. Jimmy Ray Hart Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards * Manager of the Year in 1983 * Best Interviews Paul Jones (born Paul Frederick) is a retired Professional wrestler and manager Sherri Schrull (born Sherri Russell) ( February 8 1958 – June 15 2007) was an American professional wrestler Kevin Francis Sullivan (born October 26 1949) is an American professional wrestler and booker. Georgia Championship Wrestling was a Professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta Georgia superstation The NWA National Television Championship was a secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Georgia Championship Wrestling territory The NWA National Television Championship was a secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Georgia Championship Wrestling territory The NWA National Television Championship was a secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Georgia Championship Wrestling territory The NWA National Television Championship was a secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Georgia Championship Wrestling territory The Universal Wrestling Federation was owner Bill Watts ' attempt at taking his Mid-South Wrestling promotion to a national level in 1986 The Mid-South Louisiana Championship was a secondary title in Mid-South Wrestling from 1972 until 1983 The Mid-South Louisiana Championship was a secondary title in Mid-South Wrestling from 1972 until 1983 The Mid-South North American Championship was the major singles title in Mid-South Wrestling from 1979 until the promotion became the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986 The Mid-South North American Championship was the major singles title in Mid-South Wrestling from 1979 until the promotion became the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986 The UWF World Television Championship started out as the Mid-South Television Championship in 1984 and was then represented by a medal The UWF World Television Championship started out as the Mid-South Television Championship in 1984 and was then represented by a medal Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a Professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Appalachian area of the United States from October The SMW Heavyweight Championship was the major singles title in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. The SMW Heavyweight Championship was the major singles title in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian Professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions The Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship is the major title in the Canadian Professional wrestling promotion Stampede Wrestling. The Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship is the major title in the Canadian Professional wrestling promotion Stampede Wrestling. World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW was a popular regional Professional wrestling promotion run out of Dallas and Fort Worth Texas. The WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship was a title in World Class Championship Wrestling from 1982 until 1988. The WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship was a title in World Class Championship Wrestling from 1982 until 1988. This article is about the Wrestler, for the Cricketer, see Christopher Adams (cricketer Christopher Adams ( February 10 Charles Wolfe ( August 14, 1957 - February 1, 1986) was a Professional wrestler better known by his ring name Gino Hernandez The WCCW Television Championship was a secondary title in World Class Championship Wrestling that was primarily defended on their weekly television show The WCCW Television Championship was a secondary title in World Class Championship Wrestling that was primarily defended on their weekly television show Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI) is a Professional wrestling Magazine. The PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award, given yearly since 1972 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated The PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award, given yearly since 1972 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI) is a Professional wrestling Magazine.

Personal life

Jake is the son of wrestler Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith, with whom he has a strained relationship. Aurelian Smith (born May 7, 1930) is a Professional wrestler better known as Grizzly Smith. [18] He has a half-brother, Michael and a half-sister, Robin, both of whom also became wrestlers (Sam Houston and Rockin' Robin). Michael Maurice Smith (born October 11 1963) is a second generation Professional wrestler in the 1980s Robin Denise Smith, better known by her Stage name Rockin' Robin (born October 9, 1964) is a Professional wrestler.

Jake has a daughter named Brandy, who appeared in the documentary, Beyond the Mat and a son named Dustin. Beyond the Mat is a 1999 Professional wrestling documentary, directed by Barry W [19]

Jake now lives in Gainesville, Florida.

Notes

  1. ^ a b WWE, WWE Magazine (p. 23), World Wrestling Entertainment, July 2007. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, July 2007 is the seventh month of that year It began on a Sunday and 31 days later ended on a Tuesday.
  2. ^ Jake Roberts DDTs Ricky Steamboat unconscious on cement floor.
  3. ^ Honky Tonk Man nearly kills Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
  4. ^ a b Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p. 228)
  5. ^ a b c d e Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p. 229)
  6. ^ Jake Roberts' infamous Heroes of Wrestling interview.
  7. ^ Update On Jake “The Snake” Roberts Rehab Status. PW Headlines. Retrieved on 2008-01-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon.
  8. ^ Snake Rattled, But Rolls Out of Rehab. TMZ. com (2008-03-11). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty
  9. ^ NWA National Television Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  10. ^ NWA World Television Title (Georgia) history At wrestling-titles. com
  11. ^ Louisiana Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  12. ^ North American Heavyweight Title (Mid-South) history At wrestling-titles. com
  13. ^ Mid-South Television Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  14. ^ SMW Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  15. ^ Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  16. ^ World 6-Man Tag Team Title (World Class) history At wrestling-titles. com
  17. ^ World Class Television Title history At wrestling-titles. com
  18. ^ Jake "The Snake" Roberts: pick your poison
  19. ^ Jake and his son Dustin show off the catch of the day.

References

External links

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