I will never forget meeting Jake at a pizza place in my town where he was signing autographs when he was REALLY down and out. My friend walked up to him and said to him "how are you doing?" he replied "I'M MISERABLE" and you could tell he 100% meant it. I believe that weekend he was pulled over and got a DUI from the local police.
I met Jake at a local wrestling show in my area, just after he had been inducted into the WWE HOF. He was happy and joking around with the fans. It was good to see him in a better place after all years of misery and drug addiction. I have to say, though, that to this day I am baffled as to how he is still alive. With all the drugs and alcohol he has consumed in his life and the number of wrestlers who have ODed and died from health issues brought on by drug and alcohol abuse. Somehow, someway, Jake's still alive and kicking. Honestly, after watching the "Beyond the Mat" documentary I gave him five years tops before he would be dead and gone.
@@AWX_Wrestling I have a friend who is now a WWE wrestler and we used to always be able to do in ring stuff w him when he was starting out. One time Jake Roberts was scheduled to appear on a card w him. I did not attend this one but my best friends did. Jake was out of his mind and very disrespectful. A bunch of guys were waiting for him outside to jump him and beat his ass after the show as a result BUT he exposed himself in the ring/pulled his dick out and got arrested. This was around the same time I saw him at the pizza shop. Its good that he is doing better bc at that time he was a real mess.
Raven had a good DDT. The way he threw his legs up when he landed made it seem like he’s throwing all of his weight backwards and your head is going too.
I always thought ravens was the best, the kick and the leg up and the way the opponent is supposed to go flat down instead of flipping over or whatever
Best short armed clothesline in the game which you don’t see much anymore. His promos were so psychologically good. The “Wallowing in the Muck of Avarice” promo before he faced Dibiase at WM 6 was fantastic.
It was up there My faviorte all time closthlines were of corse Cowboy Stan Hansens the Steiner Liners by Rick and Scott Jbl I liked Vaders Jakes and even taker and Kanes flying closthline I know some of them were different type of closthlines but those ones all could have been finshes Road warroior Hawks fyling closthline to
Jim Ross said on his most recent podcast that ppl absolutely knew about Grizzly. Love Corny but he romanticizes the territory guys so much sometimes that he’s in denial about what POS some of them were. Grizzly probably intimidating AF but a big grown man like that walking around with pregnant 12 and 14yr olds?? C’MON!!! Smh
The worst of it was that Grizzly knew all the cops in the towns that were booked for events. Part of his office job was to hire cops as security for shows. Those who knew about Grizzly didn't say much, likely out of fear of his dirty cop friends.
jim ross would've spent more time around grizzly, cornette and grizzly werent around each other that long, smiths career was winding down and he was just an agent for the several months cornette was there. jim mentioned that people were whispering about the young children that would ride with him but that was the extent of anything he know at that time. when 3 well known territory wrestlers are children of grizzly's and none of them were talking, what does anyone say?
Not really, because Smith died without ever going behind bars/the chair/the gas chamber/whatever. He lived a comfortable life being a pedophile and obviously now that he's dead he couldn't care less about the truth being revealed. So, if anything, he got the last laugh on Jake, because he suffered and still suffers, without ever getting proper "revenge".
"I'm still stupid. I still do what I'm not supposed to do. Are you serious? I'm Jake 'The Snake,' man. I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer." - Jake Roberts
I met Jake Roberts at his comedy show in St Louis. I said he was inspiration to me even though I haven't had addiction but mental health issues. He shook my hand and was very humble. Fitting from a guy who was one of my favorite wrestlers when I started watching wrestling at 5 years old.
I believe Brian's incorrect about the Taker match being the only time Jake didn't bring out the snake because, there was a ban on Jake bringing out snakes by Jack Tunney after the cobra bite to Savage a few months early
I agree one of the best things about these biographies is seeing the old footage. I’ll be watching it and saying wow I remember watching that when it happened
Cornette is overly nostalgic to the point I think it clouds his judgement sometimes. Like I think there is something to think about with how the territory systen was ripe for pedophiles to exploit it like they had zero accountability, access to kids/teenagers, and a lot of mobility to go get set up somewhere else so there probably were substantially more than just Grizzly Smith. In a time where it was easiet to get away with anything anyway, yeah no shit there must have been. I don't believe if a guy was making big money and something like that came out they couldn't just bribe the parents to shut them up? People didn't talk about that kinda stuff back then either like I fail to see what was stopping them.
That DDT is of one first moves that every kid did on their siblings and friends growing up, because it was so easy to do, and it looked so cool and devastating!
As a kid, I use to get my sister with surprise DDT’s “out of nowhere”. I would sneakily untie her show while eating dinner, and when she’d get up, I’d say “your shoe is untied”. When she bent over to tie it…BAM! In fact, Christmas dinner in 1992, I got her so good with a perfectly executed DDT, that I cured her stutter. It truly was a Christmas miracle!
It's hard for me to think Jim isn't just blocking the Grizzly situation out of his mind. Since Jim liked Grizzly, it seems like he shoved it to the side or just didn't acknowledge any signs if they came up. Jim is willing to go to bat for people he reveres even if they obviously did something wrong (see: Ric Flair, Vince McMahon). I'm not saying Jim watched it happen or is keeping it a secret, but more something he might not want to acknowledge even if he did see the signs.
As someone who grew up on Mid South wrestling in the early to mid 1980s, Grizzly Smith was always portrayed on TV in that era as a kindly old grandfatherly gentleman---a real "Gentle Ben", if you will---who was patient with the wrestlers and complimented by the ring announcers for making phenomenal matches. I never saw the monster behind the scenes that everyone else talks about
The fact that Jake had all these demons is one of the many reasons he is talked about today ..there will be no a and e documentaries on these ballet dancers they have on t.v now
The story that Jake Roberts has told about his WCW deal (for whatever that's worth) is that Grizzly Smith convinced Kip Frey to sign Jake for a multi-million dollar deal. The best report I can find was that it was worth about $750,000 guaranteed per year for three years, with an option to extend. However during the 90 day period between his WWF release and being able to sign the WCW contract, Kip Frey was replaced by Bill Watts. Watts was known to be cutting a lot of contracts at the time, to where Brian Pillman refused to take a cut even when Watts threatened to job him out and supposedly told him "Then I'll be the highest paid jobber in wrestling". And Watts reportedly with just three days to go ripped up the contract for Jake, knowing that Jake had burned his bridge with McMahon, and got him to sign a deal for about $300,000 per year.
The way jim explained no one in mid south not knowing is such fucking bs “we joked about it” “he knew all the girls names “ “he was always around those girl groups” yea you guys totally missed that 😂
Jake was an economic worker. He didn't make a lot of moves, but he didn't have to he just needed to do everything to tell a story in the ring and release Damian.
One of the best from a promo and psychological standpoint. His work was pretty good, maybe even excellent by today's standards, but it didn't have to be that great because he was always one of the best at telling the story
Jake’s feud with Big Daddy Ritter (JYD ) with Stampede Wrestling in the late 70’s was classic! And in no way by then was Jake ever “the sh*ts” like Jim claimed he was a few years previous! I know cuz I was in the stands watching them go at it live and in person!! 😉
This one felt more like Dark Side of the Ring rather than Biography... One thing that was weird is they had Jake doing the normal interviews, but also doing these black and white wrestling style promos.
@@michelleb8221 It was great to be honest, the latter part of the interview where he admitted to falling down and his "resurrection" the black and white stopped. He only did it again towards the end where he cut the promo saying "my past will not look like my future. at all" it was great.
@@jvharbin8337 No you didn't. You OBVIOUSLY didn't. You only watch shows that deal with WWE history with their own warped view of it. People who actually did watch it know what a stupid comment that was.
Jake’s upbringing really screwed him up. It is hard for anybody to succeed with that type of father, and with that young of a mother, who had been violated by his father, who was a lover of children. And having a mother-in-law who abused him physically, verbally, and s*xually
With regards to Grizzly Smith, I'm going to say what I said in another post: he makes Fritz Von Erich at his worst look like father of the year, and that ISN'T an exaggeration, IMO!!! With a father like that, anyone would have issues...
The man got a lawn-infestation gimmick over and rode it to legend status. Wretched as he may have been as a person all his life, that is a mind-bogglingly great accomplishment.
Yes... the DDT; piledriver; superkick; brain buster suplex; powerbomb...30-40 years ago, they were all finishing moves that almost no one kicked out of the cover that followed. But in today's wrestling, no matter which promotion or who does the move, opponents barely act like those moves "hurt". Because today's wrestlers have forgotten how to actually sell the moves.
@@terminallumbago6465 exactly. And I know that many "fans" complain and point fingers at the AEW talent for "trampoline moves". And rightly so. But WWE talent... and NJPW, etc...are just as bad. I truly miss the in-ring "story telling" of when I became a fan in the 1980s.
@@willhorting5317 A big turning point was when Brock Lesnar said "suplex city, bitch" at WrestleMania 31. He was the only one still wrestling on the biggest stages, and after that he stopped. Not counting what the midget fans consider to be "wrestling", no, "technical wrestling", meaning kicks.
When I think of the DDT being overexposed, I think of Raven & Tommy Dreamer's Loser Leaves ECW Match, & the constant DDTs in that match before finally a bloody Dreamer hits the Final DDT to kick Raven to a higher paid Wrestling Promotion while he's on his way to obscurity before wanting to pull the trigger on Paul Heyman.
Grizzly Smith really messed his kids up, all of them are still trying to work through thier issues with themselves and each other. To think he wanted them not to trust or like each other just to cover his tracks is appalling.
I’ll say this much, the Jake I met at the “resurrection of Jake the snake” in Atlanta when the premiere happened, Jake has been and was in a better place mentally, physically, and emotionally.. and he’s continued to be a better person staying out of the addictions and not slipping up..
If you go back and watch the Jake/Taker match. Not only does he not come out with the snake but he also does a "Jobber Jog" right before entering the ring. A master of Psychology
I was a young teen in Cape Town when WWE was in South Africa, this was after his King of the Ring match with Stone Cold, I met Jake at an evening church service at the Good Hope Christian Center in my neighborhood, after he gave his testimony. I didn't become a church going man, but will always remember a few of the life lessons he shared that night😁
Jake told the story on his WWE DVD that his father called him up in early 92 and told him that Kip Frye was giving out million dollar contracts like they were coupons. Jake called up Frye and agreed to a 2.5 million dollar deal. Jake then "held Vince up" by saying "give me my release or I'm not going to the ring against The Undertaker." So Vince gave him a release but with a 90 day no compete clause attached. By the time the 90 days were up, Kip Frye quit and Bill Watts was in charge. Jake went to sign his contract and Watts ripped it up and said "200 grand or get the hell out of my office." Jake took the 200 grand and 4 months later quit because his wife wanted him to come home.
Jake 🐍. The snake. Was a top 5 promo guy of all time. 🎤. He didn’t have to scream. His words and eyes. Sucked you in. Hes right up there with. Flair dusty. Piper. On the greatest promo guys. 💯
Even if you don't like Jake The Snake. Jim doesn't for obvious reasons,Brian because he committed the crime of going to The WWF. But still,how could you not see that Jake is how he is because that piece of sh*t was his father?How could you not be screwed up being raised by him? Robin,Sam and the other brother hide it well,if you didn't know their story you wouldn't know anything was wrong with them,but they are just as screwed up. Seeing this Jake stayed away because he wanted them all to be normal. He wouldn't have touched them but he would have found another way to screw them up. And he knew it.
I believe he’s the way he is because of the abuse from both relatives, and can’t see how someone could just snap out of that after a few therapy sessions. What he suffered shouldn’t happen to any child.
Did anyone else survive the DDT? Not in WWF...but in Mid-South, Lord Humongous kicked out of the DDT in a cage match in Houston (because he had the hockey mask on). However, later in the match, when Jake DDT'd him onto a chair, he didn't kick out then.
Wrong Jake let the Undertaker get up from two in one match before getting tombstoned on the Hoosier dome floor. This was an often over looked boost while turning Taker babyface. Wrestlemania VII
@26:30 those who say jake hasnt changed and is still an asshole. that is what happens with drug addicts. they are given multiple chances repeatedly. yet they continue to screw people over. after a while they are just done with him regardless of any change he went through.
When Dark side of the Ring came on, I was disgusted by the Grizzly Smith revelations. Now after seeing this I'm even more disgusted for what these kids had to go through. Grizzly's kids are the ultimate survivors. Jake was a piece of shit to his kids by not being around but at least he's trying to make up for it. But HELL he's still one of my all-time favorites.
Calling Jake a piece of shit only makes you a degenerate. Especially considering the fact that victims of abuse can quickly turn into perpetrators themselves. His children are probably glad that Jake didn't turn into his father and that despite all his problems remained somewhat level headed
Saw Jake wrestle at an indie show where my brother was on the card. It was during his extremely dark period and the match was the absolute shits. (on the upside, I also saw glacier at the same show)
@@johnnybstuddd4482 very drunk. Unsure about high but likely. My brother was in the locker room with him and he was completely fucking out of it. The snake bit him and he was bleeding everywhere. Sad to see. I can't remember exactly who he faced maybe another legend maybe an indie guy, it's been over 10 years. I do remember glacier was on the card as well.
That may have been his best face promo, but the promo he gave at This Tuesday in Texas is all-time great heel masterpiece! Just watching Okerlund's demeanor and reaction while Jake is talking shows how sometimes you can forget it's a work. Problem is that I don't think it's on RUclips anymore, and because of how controversial it is, it may not be on Peacock either
@@Dan-ct5zl yeah that one. "...when I put my hand across her face it felt so I should have to pay to do that. Yeah, I'd pay for that..." "...please bring her back. Let me touch her again.. " 😲
In Mid-South, Humongous kicked out of the DDT. I can't remember the whole angle & sequence, but it ended with Jake finally DDTing him on the concrete to beat him.
Jake’s personality is not the result of “the abuse” which likely caused the drug use? If… if… he was traumatized the way he and his siblings attest to, it absolutely caused Jake to become the person he was and is. Yes, Jake has a responsibility for it now, too, but if the tales told are true… what amount of counseling and rehabilitation can “cure” a person of that type of trauma?
Fun fact: In Tom Brandy's RF shoot he talks about how Jake while working for the WWE office after his 1996 run that he traded his rental car for crack.
He said on his most recent podcast that ppl absolutely knew but the term “Pedophile” wasnt even a thing and that kind of behavior didnt hold the weight that it holds today.
Bruce Pritchard confirmed the thing about Jake wanting to be on the creative team. He was apparently very excited about it and they had him sit in on one meeting where he pitched a perfectly reasonable underhanded finish for a heel, but he was apparently very excited about the idea and his pitch became a joke that lasted a lot longer than Jake being on the creative team. After that he got an offer for WCW that some people think he would not have accepted if he had the option to stay with Vince in a role he could age into. Also, WCW changed bookers between Jake taking the offer and Jake starting and the new booker was someone that hated Jake so he left WWF for a WCW career that was aborted after a couple TV appearances. Dude got fucked coming and going
Jake Roberts was nothing but an alcoholic, drug addicted scumbag who was always in trouble with the law when he wasn't failing drug tests. You actually think he was considered for more than a few seconds to be the replacement for Pat Patterson?
It was Watts but Corny wont say that as it makes Watts look like a POS too. Its basically the same thing Hurd did to Arn Anderson,a bait and switch over a contract price. They offered Jake one thing but when he got there Watts was hired and knew he’d burned with the bridge with WWF so he could pay him whatever.
@@TheeCoachg why do you believe Jake Roberts when he has done nothing but lie? Your ridiculous comment is EASILY proven to be false. Jake is EASILY proven to be a liar.
Who all feel that to help enhance to quality of Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor, who be Tony Khan promoting [1] current AEW Manager- Jake Roberts, [2] current AEW Director of Business Development- Jeff Jarrett, [3] current AEW Coach - Dustin Rhodes, [4] Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer - Sting, [5] Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer & former Women'sbWorldbChampion - Madusa Miceli, [6] former Women's World Champion - Jazz, [7] Pro Wrestling Veteran - Rodney Mack as writers and bookers and [8] current ROH Trainer Jerry Lynn? Writers and Bookers for AEW: [1] Jake Roberts, [2] Jeff Jarrett, [3] Sting & [3] Madusa Miceli.... Writers and Bookers for ROH: [1] Dustin Rhodes, [2] Jerry Lynn, [3] Rodney Mack & [4] Jazz.... All eight have the experience in the business to help run the promotions.
Jake had a deal worked put with Bill Watts. He forced Vince to release him by saying if his release wasn't granted he would no-show his WrestleMania match with Taker. He got the deal with WCW and almost as soon as he got there, Watts was out of power.
The irony of all that is that he--as well as the Barbarian, Humongous, Dick Slater, and Buzz Sawyer--basically a lot of the good talent---was leaving Mid South just as they were about to go national and change their name to UWF. Ted DiBiase and Hacksaw Duggan would follow a year later
Brian needs to let the hurt Jake inflicted on other ppl and not him,go. He hates him because of second hand stories and shit that happened when he was an admitted drunk and drug addict 30yrs ago. Idk I just feel like if you met him as a fan and he was a prick,id get it but its always what he did to somebody else before you even knew them.
Jake Roberts always inspires me. The man suffered through so much from a young age and managed to overcome his demons. Every time I feel hopeless, remembering Jake reminds me that it's possible to get through worse.
@@Willowdog08 the one that Jake gives you on his gofundme page for new teeth or whatever. Also the one Jake gives you when you book him for a speaking engagement that he no shows.
My best memories of Jake THE SNAKE, (and possibly his BEST work) was back in the early 80's against THE HANDS OF STONE Ron Garvin. They had great bloody matches. Jake's ribs was pulverized by Garvin but Jake could still SNAP THAT SUPER FAST DDT. Awesome stuff! Go back and watch it if nobody has seen it?
That's what Jake does. He's a storyteller. He made it dramatic, so what, all documentaries and biographies are made that way. Brian gets a little miffed anytime WWE does anything, even if it's good.
Right. I love Jim and Brian but sometimes they can get so sanctimonious and self righteous like they aren’t on a podcast doing the same thing. Its still the wrestling business…why are we expecting the 100% truth out of ANYBODY’S mouth,especially these guys who lived and breathed Kayfabe for so long.
“Hey, honey. The kids really like this John Cena guy. There’s a wrestling documentary on A&E. What say we get Aiden and Deleria and watch this tonight?”
Didn't A&E gloss over why Jake bailed WWF in 1992? He wanted to work BTS and take over Pat Patterson's spot. When the time came Vince McMahon declined Jake the job and Jake threw a fit and demands his release. Going from nearly $3 million with WWF to $150k in WCW. Bill Watts stripping Jake of his gimmick; THE SNAKE
What Brian Last says about Jake Roberts is pretty much why I have all but stopped attempting to atone for who I was when I was younger and really stopped caring about how people in general think about me when I die, whether it's justified or not, certain people are going to despise you for countless reasons, there's nothing anyone can do to change that. ¯\_༼ •́ ͜ʖ •̀ ༽_/¯
People are bad in general or at times good people go off the rails and make bad decisions. I've straightened myself up big time for 25 yrs plus, but I still have handful of people who want to live 30yrs ago. But I block them! ha ha
Jake was part of one of the most iconic moments in WWE history. He was the subject and the inspiration for the Austin 3:16 promo “ First thing you need to do is get that piece of trash out of my ring “ lol
Jake is an inspiration for me, if someone like him can get clean and stay clean then I have belief I can too. Been 3 years clean and sober now.
👌
Nice, i got 5 myself. It can def be done and was a good show for sure
😂
Right on brother. September 3rd 2020.
Good on you, keep it up!!!
I will never forget meeting Jake at a pizza place in my town where he was signing autographs when he was REALLY down and out. My friend walked up to him and said to him "how are you doing?" he replied "I'M MISERABLE" and you could tell he 100% meant it. I believe that weekend he was pulled over and got a DUI from the local police.
I met Jake at a local wrestling show in my area, just after he had been inducted into the WWE HOF. He was happy and joking around with the fans. It was good to see him in a better place after all years of misery and drug addiction. I have to say, though, that to this day I am baffled as to how he is still alive. With all the drugs and alcohol he has consumed in his life and the number of wrestlers who have ODed and died from health issues brought on by drug and alcohol abuse. Somehow, someway, Jake's still alive and kicking. Honestly, after watching the "Beyond the Mat" documentary I gave him five years tops before he would be dead and gone.
@@AWX_Wrestling I have a friend who is now a WWE wrestler and we used to always be able to do in ring stuff w him when he was starting out. One time Jake Roberts was scheduled to appear on a card w him. I did not attend this one but my best friends did. Jake was out of his mind and very disrespectful. A bunch of guys were waiting for him outside to jump him and beat his ass after the show as a result BUT he exposed himself in the ring/pulled his dick out and got arrested. This was around the same time I saw him at the pizza shop. Its good that he is doing better bc at that time he was a real mess.
Good for you stay strong
Raven had a good DDT. The way he threw his legs up when he landed made it seem like he’s throwing all of his weight backwards and your head is going too.
I always thought ravens was the best, the kick and the leg up and the way the opponent is supposed to go flat down instead of flipping over or whatever
@@Heller103085 @pillboss1987 I think the 2nd best version of the DDT was either Raven or Arn Anderson
Best short armed clothesline in the game which you don’t see much anymore. His promos were so psychologically good. The “Wallowing in the Muck of Avarice” promo before he faced Dibiase at WM 6 was fantastic.
It was up there My faviorte all time closthlines were of corse Cowboy Stan Hansens the Steiner Liners by Rick and Scott Jbl I liked Vaders Jakes and even taker and Kanes flying closthline I know some of them were different type of closthlines but those ones all could have been finshes Road warroior Hawks fyling closthline to
"He's like an evil Wilford Brimley"
So basically Wilford Brimley in the second half of The Thing
Jim Ross said on his most recent podcast that ppl absolutely knew about Grizzly. Love Corny but he romanticizes the territory guys so much sometimes that he’s in denial about what POS some of them were. Grizzly probably intimidating AF but a big grown man like that walking around with pregnant 12 and 14yr olds?? C’MON!!! Smh
The worst of it was that Grizzly knew all the cops in the towns that were booked for events. Part of his office job was to hire cops as security for shows. Those who knew about Grizzly didn't say much, likely out of fear of his dirty cop friends.
jim ross would've spent more time around grizzly, cornette and grizzly werent around each other that long, smiths career was winding down and he was just an agent for the several months cornette was there. jim mentioned that people were whispering about the young children that would ride with him but that was the extent of anything he know at that time. when 3 well known territory wrestlers are children of grizzly's and none of them were talking, what does anyone say?
Ross enabled him then. And cornette won't comment on flairs last match either.
Jake had the last laugh against his dad.
Exposed him thankful Jake got clean to tell the story
@@pleaseshutup7053 Became a bigger star too
Not really, because Smith died without ever going behind bars/the chair/the gas chamber/whatever. He lived a comfortable life being a pedophile and obviously now that he's dead he couldn't care less about the truth being revealed. So, if anything, he got the last laugh on Jake, because he suffered and still suffers, without ever getting proper "revenge".
Is his Dad in the HOF 🧐
@@nixrob6145 No.
Jake's biography was really well done one of the best I've seen.
Sad story
I haven't seen this one but I saw the one that WWE did like 20 years ago and put out on DVD. It was really well done but depressing as fuck.
@@Cruising_On_Lake_Havasoma Fuck is depressing?
Jake’s long & lanky frame and lack of musculature also set him apart from everyone else.
"I'm still stupid. I still do what I'm not supposed to do. Are you serious? I'm Jake 'The Snake,' man. I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer." - Jake Roberts
I met Jake Roberts at his comedy show in St Louis. I said he was inspiration to me even though I haven't had addiction but mental health issues. He shook my hand and was very humble.
Fitting from a guy who was one of my favorite wrestlers when I started watching wrestling at 5 years old.
Aw man, I wished I'd have known about that. This comment is 5 months old so I imagine it was a while ago, I didn't hear about it anywhere.
@@D-Fens_1632 Yes. It was April 2019.
I believe Brian's incorrect about the Taker match being the only time Jake didn't bring out the snake because, there was a ban on Jake bringing out snakes by Jack Tunney after the cobra bite to Savage a few months early
That Jack Tunney was a real mean son a gun.
There’s some of that A+ Brian research
I agree one of the best things about these biographies is seeing the old footage. I’ll be watching it and saying wow I remember watching that when it happened
The WWE has done a LOT with their video library. Documentaries, collections, and making it available to everybody
It’s time to cancel Grizzly Smith once and for all.
🙄
Nobody knows who he is, so it isn't necessary.
NO real reason to since nobody ever mentions him. WWE sure as hell doesn't.
@@chriskay1449 Exactly...there are a lot of people here projecting and trying to show how against child molestation, as if it's actually necessary.
Cornette is overly nostalgic to the point I think it clouds his judgement sometimes. Like I think there is something to think about with how the territory systen was ripe for pedophiles to exploit it like they had zero accountability, access to kids/teenagers, and a lot of mobility to go get set up somewhere else so there probably were substantially more than just Grizzly Smith. In a time where it was easiet to get away with anything anyway, yeah no shit there must have been. I don't believe if a guy was making big money and something like that came out they couldn't just bribe the parents to shut them up? People didn't talk about that kinda stuff back then either like I fail to see what was stopping them.
That DDT is of one first moves that every kid did on their siblings and friends growing up, because it was so easy to do, and it looked so cool and devastating!
As a kid, I use to get my sister with surprise DDT’s “out of nowhere”. I would sneakily untie her show while eating dinner, and when she’d get up, I’d say “your shoe is untied”. When she bent over to tie it…BAM! In fact, Christmas dinner in 1992, I got her so good with a perfectly executed DDT, that I cured her stutter. It truly was a Christmas miracle!
It's hard for me to think Jim isn't just blocking the Grizzly situation out of his mind. Since Jim liked Grizzly, it seems like he shoved it to the side or just didn't acknowledge any signs if they came up. Jim is willing to go to bat for people he reveres even if they obviously did something wrong (see: Ric Flair, Vince McMahon). I'm not saying Jim watched it happen or is keeping it a secret, but more something he might not want to acknowledge even if he did see the signs.
He bailed Corny out of jail so its completely understandable.
I love Jim but I agree. This is his biggest flaw. He will go all in on Hogan but always shies away from things like Grizzly or Ric Flair.
He doesn't want his friends mad at him.
@@joefalcone9349 So he's a hypocrite
@@anonymousbo0318 Bingo
Jake lived a life some committed suicide over. I commend him for becoming the gem he is at this age
Jake's DDT was one of the most over finishing moves in the history of wrestling
Am I wrong. But, is Grizzly protected too much?
No you’re not wrong.
As someone who grew up on Mid South wrestling in the early to mid 1980s, Grizzly Smith was always portrayed on TV in that era as a kindly old grandfatherly gentleman---a real "Gentle Ben", if you will---who was patient with the wrestlers and complimented by the ring announcers for making phenomenal matches. I never saw the monster behind the scenes that everyone else talks about
The fact that Jake had all these demons is one of the many reasons he is talked about today ..there will be no a and e documentaries on these ballet dancers they have on t.v now
They'll be fishing (no pun intended) with stuff like riddle banging porn stars and most likely vinces story once he's gone..
Jake the Snake is one of the best at psychology in pro wrestling. Guy got people to pop every night by circling his finger
*psychology
The story that Jake Roberts has told about his WCW deal (for whatever that's worth) is that Grizzly Smith convinced Kip Frey to sign Jake for a multi-million dollar deal. The best report I can find was that it was worth about $750,000 guaranteed per year for three years, with an option to extend.
However during the 90 day period between his WWF release and being able to sign the WCW contract, Kip Frey was replaced by Bill Watts.
Watts was known to be cutting a lot of contracts at the time, to where Brian Pillman refused to take a cut even when Watts threatened to job him out and supposedly told him "Then I'll be the highest paid jobber in wrestling". And Watts reportedly with just three days to go ripped up the contract for Jake, knowing that Jake had burned his bridge with McMahon, and got him to sign a deal for about $300,000 per year.
Yup. Same thing Jim Herd did to Arn Anderson basically but Corny aint gonna make Watts look like a POS for bait and switching a guy on a contract.
The way jim explained no one in mid south not knowing is such fucking bs “we joked about it” “he knew all the girls names “ “he was always around those girl groups” yea you guys totally missed that 😂
Jake was an economic worker. He didn't make a lot of moves, but he didn't have to he just needed to do everything to tell a story in the ring and release Damian.
One of the best from a promo and psychological standpoint. His work was pretty good, maybe even excellent by today's standards, but it didn't have to be that great because he was always one of the best at telling the story
"He's like an evil Wilfred Brimley." - Jim Cornette on Jake the snake
I am sure we have only seen the tip of messed up shit that was done by wrestlers during the territory days,
Exactly.
I still remember seeing Beyond the Mat, and I really felt he was going to be gone within ten years tops.
Jake’s feud with Big Daddy Ritter (JYD ) with Stampede Wrestling in the late 70’s was classic! And in no way by then was Jake ever “the sh*ts” like Jim claimed he was a few years previous! I know cuz I was in the stands watching them go at it live and in person!! 😉
"He's like an evil Wilfred Brimley" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that truly is one of the best ever !
This one felt more like Dark Side of the Ring rather than Biography... One thing that was weird is they had Jake doing the normal interviews, but also doing these black and white wrestling style promos.
Like Brian said, it was too performy at times. It didn't feel like a biography.
@@michelleb8221 It was great to be honest, the latter part of the interview where he admitted to falling down and his "resurrection" the black and white stopped. He only did it again towards the end where he cut the promo saying "my past will not look like my future. at all" it was great.
@@DragONheart27X No doubt it was good.
Listening to Brian Last being the sole arbitor of someone being a good person is hilarious
Jake passed the anti-hero torch to Steve Austin. How can y'all not see that?!
Because it isn't true at all. Anybody who actually watched would know that.
@@Rjensen2 except for me who actually watched and lived through the 90's wrestling Era.....
@@jvharbin8337 No you didn't. You OBVIOUSLY didn't.
You only watch shows that deal with WWE history with their own warped view of it. People who actually did watch it know what a stupid comment that was.
Oh man his Portland promo.. just close your eyes and listen. Its 100 percent Stone Cold talking, until you open your eyes and see Jake.
Jake’s upbringing really screwed him up. It is hard for anybody to succeed with that type of father, and with that young of a mother, who had been violated by his father, who was a lover of children. And having a mother-in-law who abused him physically, verbally, and s*xually
With regards to Grizzly Smith, I'm going to say what I said in another post: he makes Fritz Von Erich at his worst look like father of the year, and that ISN'T an exaggeration, IMO!!!
With a father like that, anyone would have issues...
Buck Zumhofe also has to go up there on the list of all-time worst pro wrestling fathers.
The man got a lawn-infestation gimmick over and rode it to legend status. Wretched as he may have been as a person all his life, that is a mind-bogglingly great accomplishment.
holy shit that backstory is genius lol
Not many more guys, (especially from newer generations)made up there own finish let alone named it an it stick nomatter who does decades later..
hard to comprehend how the DDT went from easily the most feared finisher in wrestling to a set up move
Same way the super kick doesn’t even get a two-count now
Yes... the DDT; piledriver; superkick; brain buster suplex; powerbomb...30-40 years ago, they were all finishing moves that almost no one kicked out of the cover that followed.
But in today's wrestling, no matter which promotion or who does the move, opponents barely act like those moves "hurt". Because today's wrestlers have forgotten how to actually sell the moves.
@@willhorting5317 It seems like wrestling isn’t as much about storytelling anymore. It’s about acrobatics and highspotting.
@@terminallumbago6465 exactly.
And I know that many "fans" complain and point fingers at the AEW talent for "trampoline moves".
And rightly so.
But WWE talent... and NJPW, etc...are just as bad.
I truly miss the in-ring "story telling" of when I became a fan in the 1980s.
@@willhorting5317 A big turning point was when Brock Lesnar said "suplex city, bitch" at WrestleMania 31.
He was the only one still wrestling on the biggest stages, and after that he stopped. Not counting what the midget fans consider to be "wrestling", no, "technical wrestling", meaning kicks.
When I think of the DDT being overexposed, I think of Raven & Tommy Dreamer's Loser Leaves ECW Match, & the constant DDTs in that match before finally a bloody Dreamer hits the Final DDT to kick Raven to a higher paid Wrestling Promotion while he's on his way to obscurity before wanting to pull the trigger on Paul Heyman.
Grizzly Smith really messed his kids up, all of them are still trying to work through thier issues with themselves and each other. To think he wanted them not to trust or like each other just to cover his tracks is appalling.
I’ll say this much, the Jake I met at the “resurrection of Jake the snake” in Atlanta when the premiere happened, Jake has been and was in a better place mentally, physically, and emotionally.. and he’s continued to be a better person staying out of the addictions and not slipping up..
Brian Last can definitely be a Mark at times. The guy can say some stupid stuff...
Like what?
If you go back and watch the Jake/Taker match. Not only does he not come out with the snake but he also does a "Jobber Jog" right before entering the ring. A master of Psychology
Master of psychology? That has nothing to do with it. It was very common in those days. Ax of Demolition did much the same thing.
According to legend, Jake was extremely f'd up for that match. Randomly called the Tombstone outside the ring
@@eljermo He didn't randomly do it, he did it to get Undertaker fired. He had to have known McMahon would have been pissed.
I was a young teen in Cape Town when WWE was in South Africa, this was after his King of the Ring match with Stone Cold, I met Jake at an evening church service at the Good Hope Christian Center in my neighborhood, after he gave his testimony. I didn't become a church going man, but will always remember a few of the life lessons he shared that night😁
Somewhere out in the ether, footage of that DDT Jake gave Hulk Hogan is just waiting to be discovered.
Of all the wrestlers who are still alive from the 1980s I can’t believe Jake is.
Blows my mind him and the Iron Sheik are still going but grateful they are
Did Jake do roids? Regardless of other factors. I think roids are responsible for a lot of deaths.
Ya he did, and coke and booze and painkillers all kinds of other pills. No it's not just roids but a combination of everything.
Jake told the story on his WWE DVD that his father called him up in early 92 and told him that Kip Frye was giving out million dollar contracts like they were coupons. Jake called up Frye and agreed to a 2.5 million dollar deal. Jake then "held Vince up" by saying "give me my release or I'm not going to the ring against The Undertaker." So Vince gave him a release but with a 90 day no compete clause attached. By the time the 90 days were up, Kip Frye quit and Bill Watts was in charge. Jake went to sign his contract and Watts ripped it up and said "200 grand or get the hell out of my office." Jake took the 200 grand and 4 months later quit because his wife wanted him to come home.
As soon as Brian starts talking about a nonsense grievance that nobody has....oh, must be the steven p new promo.
Jake 🐍. The snake. Was a top 5 promo guy of all time. 🎤. He didn’t have to scream. His words and eyes. Sucked you in. Hes right up there with. Flair dusty. Piper. On the greatest promo guys. 💯
Even if you don't like Jake The Snake. Jim doesn't for obvious reasons,Brian because he committed the crime of going to The WWF. But still,how could you not see that Jake is how he is because that piece of sh*t was his father?How could you not be screwed up being raised by him? Robin,Sam and the other brother hide it well,if you didn't know their story you wouldn't know anything was wrong with them,but they are just as screwed up. Seeing this Jake stayed away because he wanted them all to be normal. He wouldn't have touched them but he would have found another way to screw them up. And he knew it.
Cornettes Jannety has a weird hate boner against Jake the Snake
I believe he’s the way he is because of the abuse from both relatives, and can’t see how someone could just snap out of that after a few therapy sessions. What he suffered shouldn’t happen to any child.
Loved Jake and that DDT since I was a kid
I thought it was very funny for Jim to declare that the pesticide DDT was over
Jake was about the best bad guy of that era.
Did anyone else survive the DDT? Not in WWF...but in Mid-South, Lord Humongous kicked out of the DDT in a cage match in Houston (because he had the hockey mask on). However, later in the match, when Jake DDT'd him onto a chair, he didn't kick out then.
Wrong Jake let the Undertaker get up from two in one match before getting tombstoned on the Hoosier dome floor. This was an often over looked boost while turning Taker babyface. Wrestlemania VII
It’s the best one of the entire series. How dare he be honest about his past. The nerve of that guy.
@26:30 those who say jake hasnt changed and is still an asshole. that is what happens with drug addicts. they are given multiple chances repeatedly. yet they continue to screw people over. after a while they are just done with him regardless of any change he went through.
As a pro wrestler incredible verbal ability and smooth (When sober), as a person a despicable human being
When Dark side of the Ring came on, I was disgusted by the Grizzly Smith revelations. Now after seeing this I'm even more disgusted for what these kids had to go through. Grizzly's kids are the ultimate survivors. Jake was a piece of shit to his kids by not being around but at least he's trying to make up for it. But HELL he's still one of my all-time favorites.
Calling Jake a piece of shit only makes you a degenerate. Especially considering the fact that victims of abuse can quickly turn into perpetrators themselves. His children are probably glad that Jake didn't turn into his father and that despite all his problems remained somewhat level headed
While both were bad parents, a drug addicted dead beat is still better than a child molester.
Life and people are complicated man.
@@shadowangel2235 Well, 4 of his kids want nothing to do with him.
Without seeing the shows, I can figure out if these two will like it or not because of their obvious biases they’ve shown in the past…lmao
Saw Jake wrestle at an indie show where my brother was on the card. It was during his extremely dark period and the match was the absolute shits. (on the upside, I also saw glacier at the same show)
Who did he wrestle? Did he act or look drunk or high?
Thumbs up for Glacier!
@@johnnybstuddd4482 very drunk. Unsure about high but likely. My brother was in the locker room with him and he was completely fucking out of it. The snake bit him and he was bleeding everywhere. Sad to see.
I can't remember exactly who he faced maybe another legend maybe an indie guy, it's been over 10 years. I do remember glacier was on the card as well.
His WrestleMania VI promo was one of the all-time best.
That may have been his best face promo, but the promo he gave at This Tuesday in Texas is all-time great heel masterpiece! Just watching Okerlund's demeanor and reaction while Jake is talking shows how sometimes you can forget it's a work. Problem is that I don't think it's on RUclips anymore, and because of how controversial it is, it may not be on Peacock either
@@thomastownsend2702 Is that the one after he slapped Miss Elizabeth ? That was perfect heel Jake.
@@Dan-ct5zl yeah that one. "...when I put my hand across her face it felt so I should have to pay to do that. Yeah, I'd pay for that..."
"...please bring her back. Let me touch her again.. "
😲
@@Dan-ct5zl the audio is on RUclips but not the video. "Jake Roberts Tuesday in Texas Promo"
In Mid-South, Humongous kicked out of the DDT. I can't remember the whole angle & sequence, but it ended with Jake finally DDTing him on the concrete to beat him.
the Grizzly Smith shit is beyond unbelievable. ain’t no way them bastards ain’t knew
Funny that Brian says one unnamed person tells him Jake's "bad" then one minute later it's "several" people.
Man F Brian Last.. cant stand dude..
Most people in wrestling know what a piece of shit that he is.
Vince McMahon said that he did not know which "Jake Roberts" he was talking to to- in the "Beyond the mat " Movie.
Jake’s personality is not the result of “the abuse” which likely caused the drug use? If… if… he was traumatized the way he and his siblings attest to, it absolutely caused Jake to become the person he was and is. Yes, Jake has a responsibility for it now, too, but if the tales told are true… what amount of counseling and rehabilitation can “cure” a person of that type of trauma?
Fun fact: In Tom Brandy's RF shoot he talks about how Jake while working for the WWE office after his 1996 run that he traded his rental car for crack.
I love Jim’s sly In Living Color reference
What "Grizzly Smith" did is unforgivable it just makes my skin crawl
A&E...I remember when it came as all British shows and Bill Kurtis
For the record; Gangrel called his DDT the impaler
In Jim Ross's book he said that Grizzly Smith made inappropriate comments about a 9 year old when he first met him.....Yet nobody knew.
He said on his most recent podcast that ppl absolutely knew but the term “Pedophile” wasnt even a thing and that kind of behavior didnt hold the weight that it holds today.
@@TheeCoachg another lame ass excuse. These people knew what he was doing but said nothing because of who he was. Plain and simple.
My first introduction into wrestlers who can do anything in the business except be the champion started right here. Jake the Snake Roberts
Bruce Pritchard confirmed the thing about Jake wanting to be on the creative team. He was apparently very excited about it and they had him sit in on one meeting where he pitched a perfectly reasonable underhanded finish for a heel, but he was apparently very excited about the idea and his pitch became a joke that lasted a lot longer than Jake being on the creative team. After that he got an offer for WCW that some people think he would not have accepted if he had the option to stay with Vince in a role he could age into. Also, WCW changed bookers between Jake taking the offer and Jake starting and the new booker was someone that hated Jake so he left WWF for a WCW career that was aborted after a couple TV appearances.
Dude got fucked coming and going
Jake Roberts was nothing but an alcoholic, drug addicted scumbag who was always in trouble with the law when he wasn't failing drug tests.
You actually think he was considered for more than a few seconds to be the replacement for Pat Patterson?
It was Watts but Corny wont say that as it makes Watts look like a POS too. Its basically the same thing Hurd did to Arn Anderson,a bait and switch over a contract price. They offered Jake one thing but when he got there Watts was hired and knew he’d burned with the bridge with WWF so he could pay him whatever.
@@TheeCoachg WRONG.
Watts hired Jake. Kip Frey left months before Jake came to WCW.
@@TheeCoachg why do you believe Jake Roberts when he has done nothing but lie?
Your ridiculous comment is EASILY proven to be false. Jake is EASILY proven to be a liar.
Oh, and by the way...
Prichard wasn't even in the company.
Who all feel that to help enhance to quality of Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor, who be Tony Khan promoting [1] current AEW Manager- Jake Roberts, [2] current AEW Director of Business Development- Jeff Jarrett, [3] current AEW Coach - Dustin Rhodes, [4] Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer - Sting, [5] Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer & former Women'sbWorldbChampion - Madusa Miceli, [6] former Women's World Champion - Jazz, [7] Pro Wrestling Veteran - Rodney Mack as writers and bookers and [8] current ROH Trainer Jerry Lynn?
Writers and Bookers for AEW:
[1] Jake Roberts,
[2] Jeff Jarrett,
[3] Sting &
[3] Madusa Miceli....
Writers and Bookers for ROH:
[1] Dustin Rhodes,
[2] Jerry Lynn,
[3] Rodney Mack &
[4] Jazz....
All eight have the experience in the business to help run the promotions.
Jake had a deal worked put with Bill Watts. He forced Vince to release him by saying if his release wasn't granted he would no-show his WrestleMania match with Taker. He got the deal with WCW and almost as soon as he got there, Watts was out of power.
The irony of all that is that he--as well as the Barbarian, Humongous, Dick Slater, and Buzz Sawyer--basically a lot of the good talent---was leaving Mid South just as they were about to go national and change their name to UWF. Ted DiBiase and Hacksaw Duggan would follow a year later
Evil Wilfred Brimley...instead of Diabeetus, it's alchohol and cocaine
notice they interview Rockin Robin but nothing from Sam Houston.
i miss the old days when the DDT meant something now everybody does it and then kick out
I hope Jim helps produce a mid south documentary I want to learn more about it
How many legit playground DDTs was Jake responsible for... 🤣🤣🤣
Government still uses DDT, it is just not spoken about because of the obvious.
I like when Jim talked about his momma
Raven had 2nd best DDT in business. For the record Tommy Dreamer sucks ( biggest self mark ever)
Who had the 1st? Arn? Don't tell me The Rock. His had more style but was too pretty.
@@Mrderful Jake Robert’s DDT best ever , then Raven , Then AA
Brian needs to let the hurt Jake inflicted on other ppl and not him,go. He hates him because of second hand stories and shit that happened when he was an admitted drunk and drug addict 30yrs ago. Idk I just feel like if you met him as a fan and he was a prick,id get it but its always what he did to somebody else before you even knew them.
Jake Roberts always inspires me. The man suffered through so much from a young age and managed to overcome his demons. Every time I feel hopeless, remembering Jake reminds me that it's possible to get through worse.
Overcome his demons? In which reality?
@@Willowdog08 the one that Jake gives you on his gofundme page for new teeth or whatever. Also the one Jake gives you when you book him for a speaking engagement that he no shows.
jake roberts was and still is my favorite.
My best memories of Jake THE SNAKE, (and possibly his BEST work) was back in the early 80's against THE HANDS OF STONE Ron Garvin. They had great bloody matches. Jake's ribs was pulverized by Garvin but Jake could still SNAP THAT SUPER FAST DDT. Awesome stuff! Go back and watch it if nobody has seen it?
I DDT’d a guy during a fight in front of the library. HS 1990…..he didn’t survive either. He didn’t die…but he put me over unwittingly.
That's what Jake does. He's a storyteller. He made it dramatic, so what, all documentaries and biographies are made that way. Brian gets a little miffed anytime WWE does anything, even if it's good.
Right. I love Jim and Brian but sometimes they can get so sanctimonious and self righteous like they aren’t on a podcast doing the same thing. Its still the wrestling business…why are we expecting the 100% truth out of ANYBODY’S mouth,especially these guys who lived and breathed Kayfabe for so long.
“Hey, honey. The kids really like this John Cena guy. There’s a wrestling documentary on A&E. What say we get Aiden and Deleria and watch this tonight?”
Didn't A&E gloss over why Jake bailed WWF in 1992? He wanted to work BTS and take over Pat Patterson's spot. When the time came Vince McMahon declined Jake the job and Jake threw a fit and demands his release. Going from nearly $3 million with WWF to $150k in WCW. Bill Watts stripping Jake of his gimmick; THE SNAKE
What Brian Last says about Jake Roberts is pretty much why I have all but stopped attempting to atone for who I was when I was younger and really stopped caring about how people in general think about me when I die, whether it's justified or not, certain people are going to despise you for countless reasons, there's nothing anyone can do to change that. ¯\_༼ •́ ͜ʖ •̀ ༽_/¯
People are bad in general or at times good people go off the rails and make bad decisions. I've straightened myself up big time for 25 yrs plus, but I still have handful of people who want to live 30yrs ago. But I block them! ha ha
"You were there, what did you see?"
32:28 I agree!
So why wasn't sam houston interviewed for this? He is Jake's half brother.
Top 5 all time with Promos top3 all time with finishing maneuver. Had it not been for Roberts there wouldn’t be Austin 3:16.
...to the crack house... on the way to MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!
😂😂😂
They wouldn't mention AEW because nobody knows what that is. They'd think it was the root beer company
Saw a news story that said Jake is reconciling with his ex-wife.
Jake was part of one of the most iconic moments in WWE history. He was the subject and the inspiration for the Austin 3:16 promo “ First thing you need to do is get that piece of trash out of my ring “ lol
Austin was shooting lol
@@JamesJohnson-tr1gu I know that because he got personal when he told him to go buy a bottle of thunderbird
Lmao I’m sure Jake felt like a piece of trash during that time