Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts Interview on talkSPORT
A few weeks ago, former WWF wrestler Jake ";the Snake"& Roberts was interviewed on talkSPORT (the same station who is doing the show on February 9th) for two hours. James Whale (the interviewer) called him a former North American champion, and said that he'd wrestled the likes of Andre the Giant, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Recognises Jake as inspiration behind "Austin 3:16"
Roberts called Beyond the Mat (BTM) ;a real mess, said he'd never seen it, nor will he watch it. Said he was lied to by Barry Blaustein. Said he wasn't paid for doing the movie, and was told not to come to the premiere of BTM. Roberts claimed he wasn't embarrassed by the movie.
Whale brought up wrestling-related injuries (in the ring), Roberts said that they (promoters) don't show the bad injuries. Jake says he's been wrestling for 27 years... Roberts said that his greatest joy is "entertaining people", and claimed that he didn't feel the pain in the ring these days, despite having much surgery.
Whale brings up the fact that many new wrestlers are muscle-y, and also mentioned the old WCW (as if it still exists). Roberts says there's no wrestling talent these days - people are employed for their visuals, and don't know nothing about the art of wrestling. Whale says that Roberts now lives in the UK - Jake does regular gigs for All Star Wrestling (a UK promotion), mainly because he's broke (surprise surprise).
"It's not all about the money, it's about the match... I made a lot of mistakes." Jake Roberts also tried to keep up the Christian facade (which Mick Foley shot down in flames in Have a Nice Day). They talk about Roberts' mother, who was raped when she was 13, and Roberts claimed that he felt he wasn't loved by his mother, who is still alive, but Jake keeps in contact with her.
Still on family, Jake says that sister was kidnapped and murdered at 21, and his brother was raped. Whale moves onto Jake's UK life... which has lasted all of three and a half months. Says he's having trouble understanding the Scots, but loves the architecture of the UK. Roberts said that he's going to concentrate on Europe, because he wants to help a British company stop Vince McMahon make millions of dollars out of Europe;.
Roberts criticised the WWF's current one show scheme in the UK (i.e. two UK-only PPVs a year, no tours - yet), and said that in the past the WWF put on double shows if they sold out arenas quickly (claimed that happened in Manchester, England).
- AD BREAK -
Roberts said that he isn't wrestling full-time for any UK company, even though he is being advertised by All Star. Whale took a few cheapshots at Tommy Boyd (who hosts the weekend wrestling show on the station), and addressed a rumour that he had to get Boyd's permission to interview Roberts, before dismissing Boyd as someone with limited ability, Roberts said he didn't want to go on Boyd's show, saying that Boyd knows nowt (nothing) about wrestling.
Roberts and Whale talk about Gordon Ramsey (a chef who's got a reputation for being abusive towards his staff).
They introduce a woman who Roberts brought with him... Saraya (sp?), before moving onto Lita - whom Roberts feels is taking shortcuts to success by doing all the extreme things (table spots, etc). Start talking about the referee's importance in a match, how it takes the total package (not Lex Luger!) for the match to be a success. Saraya claims she is the most injured female in wrestling - said she was blind for six weeks after being kicked in her eye.
They ask Jake to demonstrate the DDT on another guy in the studio (talkSPORT worker)... they talk about how it works, but Saraya ends up doing the DDT. Some waffle by the host and Jake's entourage (about the Kama Sutra and Whale's wife).
The show starts taking calls and e-mails. First e-mail asks Jake about other WWF legends (Warrior, Andre, Hogan and Savage). On Andre ;Best man ever... sorely missed.
Second e-mail asks about a Rolf Harris song... they dismiss it and they take calls. First caller asks about the snake (Damien), and asks what John 3:16; means. Didn't catch his answer though.
Another caller asks about a guy on Beyond the Mat who claimed about Jake not wrestling until he was given cocaine. Jake says it was a lie. He moves onto saying that cocaine is addictive, and that it makes you feel like a pile of s**t.
- AD BREAK -
The show returns from their ad break, and says that Jake will do the DDT before the end of the show (as if it was a big thing!). Go back to the new school, and Jake says he doesn't like the new era of wrestlers, and says that they need personality and skill to be successful.
Caller - Favourite Opponent. Jake replies with Andre the Giant, Rick Martel and a few others (who he doesn't name). Brings up the Masked Grappler, Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage.
E-mail -;Favourite match (mentioned the Undertaker in the e-mail). Said it was fun to teach the Undertaker. E-mailer calls BTM ;crap&q and too ;tabloid like.
Caller - WrestleMania 7 Blindfold Match with Rick Martel... said the blindfolds weren't blindfolded (were slightly see-thru). Caller brought up Owen Hart's death, Jake didn't want to comment on that. It's (wrestling) a very dangerous pastime, especially when you fall 50-60 feet off a roof.
Caller - ;Returning to the WWF - Jake doesn't want to go back to the WWF. The Kiss My Ass club angle was too much for Jake, and said he didn't want to work for a product like that.
Caller - Training new wrestlers ring psychology. Mentions what ring psychology is (getting inside the fans heads, or masturbating people's emotions;, as Jake described it as). Says that the current crop of wrestlers are prostituting the business for not using psychology. Mentions the Dynamite Kid, Jake says he loves him, but doesn't remember the Kid's allegation of drug taking.
E-Mailer - Was Lawler given permission to exploit Robert's alcohol addiction? - Jake said he felt that the WWF went too far in that story line.
Roberts claimed 60% of American fans didn't believe that wrestling was fake. Says that &smart marks don't know wrestling at all, and says that the WWF is manipulating these people. Smart kids not enjoying wrestling as they want to prove they know it all.
Caller - ;British Wrestling and WAW;. Jake thanks the guy for calling a real show (cheapshot at Tommy Boyd's WrestleTalk). Roberts plugs his forthcoming WAW gigs - including one at some building in Liverpool. One of Roberts' entourage says that the WAW is taking away the Big Daddy syndrome that is still attached to British wrestling today.
More waffle in the studio... starts going on about women wrestlers not wearing much these days... Whale says he'll talk about Roberts' religious beliefs (or alleged lack of them!) later on.
- AD BREAK -
They introduce other guys in studio - Ricky Knight (WAW wrestler), Valerie (not a wrestler). More in-studio waffle...
Caller asks Jake about the Warrior. Jake claims Warrior didn't like wrestling... Caller also asks about Warrior's 1 loss record. Jake denies it, but says Rick Rude did KO Warrior. Jake claims Hogan didn't like crowd's liking to Jake during one of their matches (Survivor Series, if I remember). Whale asks why Hogan keeps trying to be an actor. Caller brings up the British Bulldog, but Jake says nothing.
- AD BREAK -
Show returns after the news, with Whale pushing Robert's appearance. Whale reiterates Robert's belief that Beyond the Mat is a piece of s**t. More in-studio waffle, where Jake whispers (off mic) to the host that women should wrestle in mud.
Caller asks about a Big Time American Wrestling card in Cambridge (England)... Jake says he'll be there (All Star Wrestling show). Caller also asked about what Jake thought was different in today's WWF. Jake -a lack of talent as wrestlers don't learn their trade anymore. Compares the WWF's product as making chicken soup out of chicken crap.
Another caller asks about Jake's Japan career. Jake said he did around 9 tours. Caller made a comment about BTM.
Whale asks if Jake spent $4,000 a week on drugs - Jake said he did (mainly on alcohol though), and that he did wrestle whilst drugged up.
Caller wants Jake to compare Hogan to the Rock... Jake says the Rock is a slightly better wrestler, but they're both good for marketing businesses. Whale asks if they (wrestlers) don't want to learn the business anymore... Jake says it's just wrestling by numbers. Caller describes chaotic scene at end of Insurrextion 2001 (UK PPV) where the wrestling on show was poor (mainly due to a lack of big name talent).
Whale says that (WATCHING) wrestling helps you relieve anger and stress. More in-studio waffle. Same caller again says that he liked watching Mr Perfect at the Rumble, asks Jake if he wanted a one-shot deal from the WWF. Jake said he didn't want to return to the WWF again, not even on a one night deal (like Curt Hennig). Jake criticises the WWF's product again (slapping women, showing breasts, etc...)
E-mailer says that Jake was a top drawer in the 80s, but was never given a WWF title. Asks how Jake felt - I never needed one.
- AD BREAK -
E-mailer said that he took kids to see Jake wrestle. Thanks Jake for a great show, and asks about HHH's quad injury (which Roberts confirmed as real). Roberts said that wrestling is real - people are fake.
Caller asked about Lucifer (Jake's snake?) was alive, and whether Earthquake squashed him. Jake said it was just a sausage that 'Quake sat on.
Another caller says that wrestling isn't as technical since Bret Hart, Roberts and Perfect were in the business. Says that only Angle is the only stand-out technical wrestler in the current crop. Roberts praises Angle. Caller tries to get Whale to "wrestle" Boyd at the talkSPORT wrestling show, with Jake as ref... more cheapshots at Tommy Boyd...
E-mailer asks if Jake has met Bill Goldberg who has potential to be a wrestling legend (e-mailer said that, not Jake). Says he hasn't met him, but knows someone who has - DDP.
Another e-mailer plugs a website of Sweet Saraya... Whale plugs his TV show Blue Moon.
Caller asks for Jake's autograph for their friend... (Whale tells them to write in).
Another caller asks about Jake's father. Mentions the scenes from Beyond the Mat. Jake says he loves him, but doesn't have to like him... Jake said he didn't find the whole truth about his birth until a year ago... Whale and Jake talk more about his mother. Jake condemns the use of drugs again, saying it's not right.
They start talking about religion - Jake says he's not a fan of it. Jake said he tried everything in life to help him get back on track. Jake said a line from a play inspired him into taking up religion... Some more waffle in the studio. Jake said he felt it was his fault that he's been sexually molested as a child. He felt ashamed, and that he hid away from society.
Whale asks if Jake has a problem with wrestling and it's characters... Jake says he portrays a character, and that his twisted character is not that of Jake Roberts the person (FYI, his real name is Aurelian Smith, although this wasn't mentioned at all during the show). Whale asks if God is the biggest part of Jake's life... Jake said that he quit religion, but he still has a relationship with God, but also has relationships with his children (despite what was portrayed in Beyond the Mat).
- AD BREAK -
Whale returns from break by plugging a promotion for talkSPORT mobile phones (which I won't elaborate on). Plugs Saraya's site (which don't work)
E-mailer asks for a fight with Jake Roberts... and for Jake to book himself on that talkSPORT card. Another e-mailer asks about the backstage scenes at the WWF and about the egos. Another one - confirms the spelling of Saraya.
Another e-mailer tells Boyd to ditch that British wrestler on his show (Alex Shane) and replace him with Jake Roberts... ever get the feeling this is worked?
Caller asks about Mick Foley's books. Roberts says he knows Foley well, and that they are close friends. Says Foley's books talk about Foley too much, and not about his wrestling career. Asks again about Jake's future wrestling dates...
E-mail from Tommy Boyd (yeah right!) asks for a fight with Jake... Another one apologizes about British wrestling fans calling Goldberg a wrestling legend.
Caller asks if Jake wants to become a booker/writer when he quits wrestling. Roberts hints at doing that if the WAW gets a TV deal in England. Small debate in the studio about British Wrestling's chance of success on TV - WAW guys say they won't match the WWF's standards in a bid to get viewers if they get on TV.
- AD BREAK -
E-mailer plugs UK Pitbulls&, the UK's heaviest tag team.. More cheapshots on Boyd they should put Doink the Clown in the ring with him (Boyd), and then there'd be two clowns - Jake.
Caller thanks Jake for the memories. Says that the old WCW was too predictable - nobody could have been as stupid as Turner... Russo was stupid, if he was doing it (burying WCW) for McMahon, he was doing a great job".
E-mailer asks about Jake's groupies - the 'Rena Rats (as in Arena, not Rena Mero!).
Caller asks about lack of psychology in US wrestling. Jake says product's suffering because the wrestlers don't want to do the psychology. Jake says we should watch old WWF stuff (such as WWF Classics, which airs on SKY Sports in the UK... and is covered by Segaboyno on LOP) for the good wrestling.
E-mailer says Jake is a unique talent and brings up Jake's ECW stint in 1998. Asks if Jake wrestled Raven. Jake said he taught Raven (Scott Levy) how to wrestle, and said that ECW paid well (that's probably how they lost a lot of money!)
Whale asks if promoters care about the wrestlers - Jake says there's few who do care. If a pony drops, I'll get another pony. Whale asks if there's medical help at wrestling events - just a doctor backstage. Jake mentions lack of insurance, health plan or pension scheme in wrestling because of what they do.
Show Ends.
Links: talkSPORT - www.talksport.net
Part of this report (i.e. deciphering Roberts' voice) was done with help from Steveweiser, Sickboy, Stuey2dope and Ross at www.wrestlingukfanforum.com