This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to Yellow City Comic Con at the civic center. I will be honest, I only wanted to go for one reason and one reason only, Jake “the Snake” Roberts will be there and I was going to do everything I could to get an autograph or two. You see, Mr. Roberts and I have something in common. He is in recovery also. As most of you know, I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been sober for 8 years. Mr. Roberts was in worse shape than myself and is now sober for over 6 years. With the help of a fellow wrestler, Diamond Dallas Paige, he was able to get sober and finally stay that way. He is also a legend in the wrestling industry.
He was one of the great wrestlers of the 80’s. His finishing maneuver, the DDT, has been named the “coolest” finisher off all time. His promos are in the top 10 of the greatest promos. He has been praised by fans and fellow wrestlers from all over the world. He was known for bringing a snake to the ring and throws it on his opponent after he defeated them.
Unfortunately, he burned a few bridges in the wrestling industry, especially the big one, World Wrestling Entertainment. So when he finally entered the “Accountability Crib” (Paige house where they live and work on sobriety and DDP Yoga) he made a vow to enter the 2014 Royal Rumble. The Royal Rumble is a pay per view that WWE puts on once a year. After working through endless pain and anguish, he finally received the phone call from the big company. He was NOT going to be in the royal rumble, but he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
All of this can be found in the movie that documented all of his time at the “Accountability Crib” in a movie called “The Resurrection of Jake “The Snake” Roberts”. So when I found out that I was able to do an interview with him, I was ecstatic for days. After all, he is a legend. So you can imagine my disappointment when Saturday, I was unable to get the interview. So I finally received the call that the interview will take place on Sunday in the “Celebrity Room” of the civic center. So 2 pm came and I waited, finally Cody Seaton with Yellow City came in and explained that Mr. Roberts has been sick (He cut his question and answer panel short the day before) and that he will not make it, but he tried to get a phone interview. He called and unfortunately was unable to but told me to call his partner a little later to try to get one before they catch a flight out of town the next morning.
Finally the next morning I was able to do a phone interview, but since they were already headed to the airport and he was still feeling under the weather it was a short interview. So here is the exclusive interview for The Amarillo Pioneer:
Alex: Hey, good morning Tristan. (For some reason they kept calling me Tristan and not Trent. I have been called worse names)
Trent: Good morning, how are you sir?
Alex: Oh so far so good, getting packed up and ready to head back home to Vegas with Jake.
Trent: Alright, alright, get a little rest and relaxation.
Alex: Yep, trying to. Just had a little to…rush. Rush packing everything up. So uh, you ready for Jake?
Trent: Yes sir, won’t take, like I said, won’t take more than 5 or 10 minutes tops.
Alex: Perfect, perfect alright, here he is. (handing the phone over I hear him tell Jake that it is Tristan on the phone)
Trent: Mr. Roberts?
Jake: Hey, how you doing Tristan?
Trent: Great, how are you sir?
Jake: Well, I’m alive.
Trent: Well, do you feel better, or a little bit better than you have this weekend?
Jake: Naw, no not really. I want to get back to Vegas and see a doc and let them sort out what I’ve done.
Trent: Well, ya know, I hope you get to feeling better and maybe they can get it worked out.
Jake: Oh yea, I’m sure they will.
Trent: I won’t take too much more of your time, that way you can get packed and headed out. I just wanted to ask ya a couple of questions if you don’t mind.
Jake: I can do a couple of questions, alright.
Trent: Um, one thing, no. First thing I want to do is ask is how are you doing on your sobriety? Everything doing good and you enjoying it?
Jake: Doing great. Yep, yep, good times.
Trent: Good, good. Like I said before ( I talked to him a bit while at the comic con) I myself am 8 years sober and you were telling me you were 6 years sober and uh there are a lot of people that are very proud of ya, a lot of people.
Jake: Yep and it's not easy you know, but day to day, you get through it.
Jake: Lots of people, lots of people.
Trent: How does that make you feel, pretty good?
Jake: Amazing, amazing.
Trent: Good, good. Good deal. Um, next question I want to ask is um, you said the other day, if you could wrestle anybody today, it would be Bray Wyatt. With that being said what are your feelings on the Undertaker retiring and who do you think could take his place as a staple in the WWE?
Jake: Uh, I don’t think they could take his place. Different things come up down the pipe, but you're not going to take his place. That, that’s going to be something that lasts forever man.
Trent: That’s, true. That is true. Alright, um, next question is Yoga. Is DDP yoga still going for ya and you doing it daily?
Jake: Yea, yea. Not daily though, about 3 days a week.
Trent: Ok, just 3 days a week. I also read that the DDT ( his finishing maneuver) was considered the “coolest” maneuver ever.
Jake: Yeah
Trent: What do you, what do you think about? I mean, you made it famous, but now they have so many variations of it.
Jake: yea, well, ya know they say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so well just let it go at that.
Trent: That’s true, that’s true. Alright the last question for ya, that way y'all can get out of here…
Jake: Yep
Trent: What’s next for Jake “The Snake” Roberts?
Jake: (pause) I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m just gonna go kick back and let the Lord bring it to me.
Trent: Good deal, good deal. And ya’ll (Jake and Alex) are on this “Unspoken Tour” correct?
Jake: Well, we're headed home, man.
Trent: Well, that’s all I had for ya. Like I said it wouldn’t take long and hope it wasn’t too painful.
Jake: Naw, not too bad
Trent: Well, I want to thank you again and ya’ll have a safe trip home.
Jake: Thank you Tristan, have a good day (phone hangs up)
***
YELLOW CITY COMIC CON
Q&A SESSION
Announcer: “Who wants to meet a legend? Who wants to meet a hall of famer? Without further ado…..Jake “The Snake” Roberts!”
(Applause as he walks across the stage and sits down with Alex, a comedian that he travels with.)
Jake: “Tada!” “This is not my shadow, by the way
Alex: “Hi! What’s up guys, I’m Alex. Together, Jake and I tour the country on the unspoken word tour where Jake tells stories about all the stuff that happened behind the scenes and in the ring. Um, he dabbled in wrestling, didn’t know if you knew that. (Laughter) And I am his comedian, ogre. And uh, roommate/buddy/ guy that gets chopped sometimes when I talk too much. So thank you.
Announcer: Alright, does anybody have any questions for Mr. Jake “The Snake “Roberts?
Young fan: Did you bring your snake?
Jake: No Way! In case you didn’t know it, I’m scared of snakes. Yea, I know, Jake "The Snake" makes no sense at all, but that is what happens when you do drugs and drink. You get stupid ideas that you later regret. No I don’t uh. I really don’t like snakes. Umm, snakes were pretty good to me most of the time, except when they bit me or…… pooped on me, which is nearly every timeI touched it. Next question.
Announcer: Who has a question? Don’t be shy.
Fan: I think you have alluded to the story of the defanging of the king cobra on the “Macho Man”, you were saying that there was a back story to it?
Jake: Yea there was, you know. The bottom line was that Macho man came into the locker room and demanded that the snake bit me first. Which I thought was totally ridiculous. But he was worried that the snake was not de-venomized and that I was just trying to take his (Macho man voice) Intercontinental heavyweight championship yea. That wasn’t the case but I still had to let him bit me before it bit him. Which of course, was much better.
Fan: (Unintelligible) stuck to him?
Jake: He (the snake) wasn’t stuck, he was just chewing a while, you know, uh, I didn’t mind that at all. It was great for television.
Announcer: Alright, who’s next?
Fan: Who was your toughest and your easiest fight?
Jake: Easiest was Shawn Michaels! (Laughter from crowd and Alex) It lasted way too long, yea; it was a total beat down.
Alex: But he is so sexy boy!
Jake: Yea, well that is what happens to sexy boys when you play with snakes. My toughest fight is defiantly the demons that I fought behind the scenes. Um, fighting drug addiction and alcoholism, um, is really, really tough. And my suggestion to that is, just don’t get into that...Don’t fall into that unless you have really deep pockets, and you want to get rid of too much cash.
Announcer: Alright, who’s next?
Jake: Somebody or I get out of here early! (Laughter)
Announcer to fan: Don’t be nervous. We’re waiting on your question. Anytime you want to start.
Jake to fan: Everybody is looking at you! (Laughter)
Fan: Can everybody look that way please? (Pointing away from him) (More laughter) What was um, how did you feel being able to do the, um, whole angle with Undertaker leading into Wrestlemania 8?
Jake: it was a lot of fun; I got to beat the hell out of him with a chair. It was awesome. I must have hit him 15 times with that chair and nearly crippled him. I might have, I did gave him some Percocet afterwards so (unintelligible). Wish I had those Percocet now, my hip is killing me.
Announcer: Alright, next question. Don’t be shy.
Jake: Way back there in the back, you got to come up here if you gonna ask a question, that’s the rules.
Announcer: Yep, Ya’ll scoot in, don’t be shy.
Jake: Run monkey! (Laughter)
Fan: What was your favorite moment of your whole wrestling career?
Jake: That is way too unfair man, I had too many great moments, I mean, hanging out with Alice Cooper was awesome. Um, being in front of 94,000 people, which set a record, was unbelievable. Um, I’m so grateful for every moment I have had in wrestling. Anytime that you go out and perform in front of people live, um it’s just um, it’s just so freaking awesome man. I can leave that locker room with the people cheering me, but if I so chose to, I can do stuff that can even make them hate my guts. And that’s such an awesome powerful, powerful thing. Some people think I’ve taken it too far at times because, um, I had a 70 year old woman cut me with a knife. Uh, because she hated me.
Alex: It was over a parking spot!
Jake: Naw, it wasn’t parking, (explicative).
Alex: There’s kids here.
Jake: Yea well shut up then! (Laughter) or you’ll get a chop! (More laughter)
Um, and I had a guy stand up in Dallas and take a shot at me with a gun. So, when you can manipulate people’s emotions, make them do something totally outside their realm, that’s an awesome, awesome feeling.
Announcer: Anybody else?
Fan: I was curious about your uh, memories working with Muhammad Ali in Mid South?
Jake: Ah, that was great man; I would have like to spent more time around him. Um, we went to the ring and he was supposed to hit me and I was supposed to fly. Then he hit the “Barbarian” John Nord and he flew and he hit me again and I was suppose to fly but, uh, bottom line is (unintelligible) Right here, right here (pointing at his chin) you know and the crowd was like, “Wow, Muhammad Ali punched you 4 times and you didn’t go down.” That’s right. And um, Bill Watts wanted to kill me after the match and um I’m like, “Dude, Ali is not here next week and I’m your top guy so just leave me the hell alone” and Ali came to me after the match and said (in Muhammad Ali voice) “you’re smart man you’re a very smart man” and I’m like “I’m a very grateful man, you didn’t knock my dumbass out.”(Laughter) Next?
Fan: I was wondering, would you prefer to be a face or a heel?
Jake: I would much rather be a heel. As a baby face your kinda um, roped in to doing some things cause that’s your gimmick. Uh, as a heel you get to explore all avenues, you go any which way you want and I just had more fun as a heel. I would much rather people hate me than love me. You know if they hate ya, you do have to kiss any ugly kids or anything. (Laughter) Last thing I want is some 2 year old slipping me the tongue you know, (More laughter) or a booger hanging out of their nose.
Fan: Uh, what’s the worse injury you suffered?
Jake: Being hit with the guitar nearly killed me. Ruptured 2 disc in my neck, um (unintelligible) surgeon said that he had people fall off buildings 7 and 8 stories and have 2 disc look like that. Um, my disc didn’t move, they exploded. And they stuck to my spinal cord. Um which they also told me that I would never ever wrestle again, and I just looked at them and smiled and said “it’s a chemical world, you boys don’t have a clue” and I went to Amsterdam. (Laughter) It’s legal there.
Alex: Thank you for not mentioning what I did in that um, Seattle hotel room! (Laughter)
Jake: Yea, that’s illegal.
Fan: Do you ever try to wear Jake the snake suit again and how do you respond to the ultimate cosplay of Jake the snake?
Jake: I love it man! Ya know, Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And would I do it again? I would do everything I did again, you know, except I would like to do not quite as many drugs. You know cause I really cheated myself out of a lot. And (unintelligible) we started doing drugs and alcoholism. What are you really sacrificing for that need, because a lot of times its way more expensive than you can imagine. For god sake, all of you out there keep away from that crap man. You know, do something…. Like smoke pot man! (Laughter) I’m just saying for me, marijuana is the answer because, I never got into a fight while I was smoking pot. Maybe over a cookie! Or a brownie. But um, I never got mean or got angry or drive stupid while I was smoking weed.
Alex: Please refer to your local laws when it comes to um…..
Announcer: Do you have any good stories about Vince?
Jake: There are no good stories about Vince! (Laughter) Next question.
Fan: Who did you like least?
Jake: Vader, he um, he broke my sternum, twice. It’s uh, a very painful injury. His excuse was (in Vader voice) “Man, when you come out the people are so good and going nuts and I’m sorry” You know what, you will never do it again cause you’ll never see me in the ring again you tub of (explicit). (Laughter) Tub of stuff, tub of stuff. Kids, I’m sorry, (unintelligible) I know, potty mouth.
Fan: Jake, I know a lot of us have seen “The Resurrection of Jake “The Snake” and me personally having of lot of troubles with my family I’m kindainterested to knowif you have reconnected with your kids.
Jake: I love it man! Ya know, Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And would I do it again? I would do everything I did again, you know, except I would like to do not quite as many drugs. You know cause I really cheated myself out of a lot. And (unintelligible) we started doing drugs and alcoholism. What are you really sacrificing for that need, because a lot of times its way more expensive than you can imagine. For god sake, all of you out there keep away from that crap man. You know, do something…. Like smoke pot man! (Laughter) I’m just saying for me, marijuana is the answer because, I never got into a fight while I was smoking pot. Maybe over a cookie! Or a brownie. But um, I never got mean or got angry or drive stupid while I was smoking weed.
Alex: Please refer to your local laws when it comes to um…..
Announcer: Do you have any good stories about Vince?
Jake: There are no good stories about Vince! (Laughter) Next question.
Fan: Who did you like least?
Jake: Vader, he um, he broke my sternum, twice. It’s uh, a very painful injury. His excuse was (in Vader voice) “Man, when you come out the people are so good and going nuts and I’m sorry” You know what, you will never do it again cause you’ll never see me in the ring again you tub of (explicit).(Laughter) Tub of stuff, tub of stuff. Kids, I’m sorry, (unintelligible) I know, potty mouth.
Fan: Jake, I know a lot of us have seen “The Resurrection of Jake “The Snake” and me personally having of lot of troubles with my family I’m kindainterested to knowif you have reconnected with your kids.
Jake: Absolutely man! You know since doing that movie, um, 1 daughter has moved in with me and went to work for me; she is the one that makes sure I get places. She is so smart and so quick and so helpful. She makes sure I make all my Dr. appts and keeps me going, without her I would be totally lost. Um, another great story is that I have um, reconnected with another daughter whom I have not seen in 15 years, because of her mother. Um since seeing her, she too has moved in with me and brought her husband along. Ok, whatever. We can kill him at night, no promises. (Laughter) But um no, I’ve connected with all my children but 2, and um just waiting to hear, to hear from them. I have to be patient. Um sometimes people say horrible things about other people and may not necessarily be true. And um dinga bop boom boom. (Short laughter) She is going to suffer her own hell. She really is and I feel for her because when we do things like that, it comes back to bite ya in the butt. And um, now she’s finding out because uh, the daughter that is going to be just like her is split and came with me. And um, I’m over the top joy. Man that the first, real joy I have felt in years and uh, my grandkids love the hell out of me, they think that I am the coolest grandpa of all… Because I am!! That’s a given!
Announcer: My grandpa invented the DDT, what is your grandpa
Jake: yea, what’s your grandpa done right? (Laughter) (To a young fan) Is your name Susan? I didn’t think so. (Laughter)
Young Fan: Have you gone against Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant?
Announcer: Have you gone against Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant?
Jake: Hogan’s too scared. (Laughter) No doubt. I have wrestled Andre the Giant, way too many times. It’s not a healthy thing to do. Giants hurt you. And if you get really (Unintelligible) he poo poo on me. (Laughter)
Young fan: What was your saddest moment?
Announcer: What was your saddest moment?
Jake: Sitting next to him (pointing to Alex) (Laughter)Um, my saddest moment…. Probably when I had my last match.
Fan: when was your last match?
Jake. About 2 years ago, and um it is so hard to walk away from something you love. You can imagine what it can be for you, whatever that is., Um (Sighs) Getting old really sucks, because you have to quit doing some things that use to do when you were younger. Um, Yea
Announcer: Who’s next?
Fan: Um, If you could wrestle anyone…
Jake: Bray Wyatt (answers before end of question)
(Clapping and cheering)
Jake: I love buzzards… RUN!
Fan: Quick question, Old School Raw, you came out and put the snake on Dean Ambrose (Cheering), What was the feeling you got after all those years away and coming back out knowing that the crowd still loved you.
Jake: It’s incredible. Um, when Scott Hall and I were going through our, um, personal rehab at Dallas’s house, Scott said something really profound. He said, said it more than a few times. He said “Jake, isn’t it crazy, that our fans love us more than we love ourselves?” and it was true, it was true. In those days, I hated myself. Look what I have done, look what I have become. I can proudly say, these days, I am very happy with myself. I um, enjoy myself. My (unintelligible) think that I’m cool. I feel sorry for me because I’m a 10. Alright just a few more questions and I’m done. (Unintelligible)
Young Fan: What was your best moment in WCW?
Announcer: He is wanting to know your best moment in WCW? Your best moment.
Jake: leaving! (Laughter)Alright 2 more questions guys, Make him run (referring to the announce finding people in the back)
Young fan: Who was your favorite person to wrestle with?
Jake: um….. Probably (unintelligible) known as the Grappler. I really enjoyed wrestling with him, other than that; Ronnie Garvin was a lot of fun. He would beat the hell out of me. I don’t know why but I liked that. He just made getting beat up fun.
Fan: What would be the best advice for someone considering professional wrestling as a career?
Jake: Ok, best advice, would be…. Pick something else. (Laughter) wrestling takes so much to get to the top and the odds of actually getting to the top are about 1 in a gazillion. Um, it demands so much. To become a great wrestler, you have to write off ever being married, or having kids, because you just aren’t going to have time for it. This is the truth. I hate that it is true, but it is man. Not many marriages made it through a wrestling career, simply because you are never there. You know , its very hard to go on the road for 3 months straight and not see your family, then when you do go home you are so beat up and busted up and worn out, you cant get out of bed. And who, who the hell wants to see their dad laying in bed all bruised up and beat up and he can’t even go outside to play with him, because he is too hurt. But when the bell rings, I get my dumb butt up and go again. You know why? Cause I love wrestling. I love wrestling. You got to be careful what you love. You really do.
Announcer: Jake, I’m going to be selfish and ask a question myself. What inspires you now?
Jake: Smiles. Yea it’s great to see people smiling man. It’s a tough world out there man. The young folks today, I feel for ya cause you guys have too many choices to make. Oh my god, there is so many bad choices, you know, you think you are just playing a video game, but you’re doing more than that. Cause your investing a lot of time in that video game when you should be out playing, moving, staying healthy. You know um, this whole world today is getting harder and harder to be successful. And um, my advice is pull those (unintelligible) you love up and kick the rest in the butt and tell them to get the hell out. That’s all I got for you guys, thank you very much.
Jake: Absolutely man! You know since doing that movie, um, 1 daughter has moved in with me and went to work for me; she is the one that makes sure I get places. She is so smart and so quick and so helpful. She makes sure I make all my Dr. appts and keeps me going, without her I would be totally lost. Um, another great story is that I have um, reconnected with another daughter whom I have not seen in 15 years, because of her mother. Um since seeing her, she too has moved in with me and brought her husband along. Ok, whatever. We can kill him at night, no promises. (Laughter) But um no, I’ve connected with all my children but 2, and um just waiting to hear, to hear from them. I have to be patient. Um sometimes people say horrible things about other people and may not necessarily be true. And um dinga bop boom boom. (Short laughter) She is going to suffer her own hell. She really is and I feel for her.
Announcer: My grandpa invented the DDT, what is your grandpa?
Jake: Yeah, what’s your grandpa done right? (Laughter) (To a young fan) Is your name Susan? I didn’t think so. (Laughter)
Young Fan: Have you gone against Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant?
Announcer: Have you gone against Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant?
Jake: Hogan’s too scared. (Laughter) No doubt. I have wrestled Andre the Giant, way too many times. It’s not a healthy thing to do. Giants hurt you. And if you get really (Unintelligible) he poo poo on me. (Laughter)
Young fan: What was your saddest moment?
Announcer: What was your saddest moment?
Jake: Sitting next to him (pointing to Alex) (Laughter)Um, my saddest moment…. Probably when I had my last match.
Fan: when was your last match?
Jake: About 2 years ago, and um it is so hard to walk away from something you love. You can imagine what it can be for you, whatever that is., Um (Sighs) Getting old really sucks, because you have to quit doing some things that use to do when you were younger. Um, Yea
Announcer: Who’s next?
Fan: Um, If you could wrestle anyone…
Jake: Bray Wyatt
(Clapping and cheering)
Jake: I love buzzards… RUN!
Fan: Quick question, Old School Raw, you came out and put the snake on Dean Ambrose (Cheering), What was the feeling you got after all those years away and coming back out knowing that the crowd still loved you.
Jake: It’s incredible. Um, when Scott Hall and I were going through our, um, personal rehab at Dallas’s house, Scott said something really profound. He said, said it more than a few times. He said “Jake, isn’t it crazy, that our fans love us more than we love ourselves?” and it was true, it was true. In those days, I hated myself. Look what I have done, look what I have become. I can proudly say, these days, I am very happy with myself. I um, enjoy myself. My (unintelligible) think that I’m cool. I feel sorry for me because I’m a 10. Alright just a few more questions and I’m done. (Unintelligible)
Young Fan: What was your best moment in WCW?
Announcer: He is wanting to know your best moment in WCW? Your best moment.
Jake: leaving! (Laughter)Alright 2 more questions guys, Make him run (referring to the announce finding people in the back)
Young Fan: Who was your favorite person to wrestle with?
Jake: um….. Probably (unintelligible) known as the Grappler. I really enjoyed wrestling with him, other than that; Ronnie Garvin was a lot of fun. He would beat the hell out of me. I don’t know why but I liked that. He just made getting beat up fun.
Fan: What would be the best advice for someone considering professional wrestling as a career?
Jake: Ok, best advice, would be…. Pick something else. (Laughter) wrestling takes so much to get to the top and the odds of actually getting to the top are about 1 in a gazillion. Um, it demands so much. To become a great wrestler, you have to write off ever being married, or having kids, because you just aren’t going to have time for it. This is the truth. I hate that it is true, but it is man. Not many marriages made it through a wrestling career, simply because you are never there. You know , it's very hard to go on the road for 3 months straight and not see your family, then when you do go home you are so beat up and busted up and worn out, you can't get out of bed. And who, who the hell wants to see their dad laying in bed all bruised up and beat up and he can’t even go outside to play with him, because he is too hurt. But when the bell rings, I get my dumb butt up and go again. You know why? Cause I love wrestling. I love wrestling. You got to be careful what you love. You really do.
Announcer: Jake, I’m going to be selfish and ask a question myself. What inspires you now?
Jake: Smiles. Yea it’s great to see people smiling man. It’s a tough world out there man. The young folks today, I feel for ya cause you guys have too many choices to make. Oh my god, there is so many bad choices, you know, you think you are just playing a video game, but you’re doing more than that. Cause your investing a lot of time in that video game when you should be out playing, moving, staying healthy. You know um, this whole world today is getting harder and harder to be successful. And um, my advice is pull those (unintelligible) you love up and kick the rest in the butt and tell them to get the hell out. That’s all I got for you guys, thank you very much.
