Jake “The Snake” Roberts built one of the most legendary wrestling gimmicks ever around carrying a massive snake to the ring, but the truth behind it is wild. He didn’t even like snakes.
While speaking with Going Ringside, Roberts was asked how he first got involved with snakes in wrestling. He made it clear that it was not his dream idea, but the money helped change his mind.
“I didn’t. I didn’t want to, but there were some numbers on the contract that convinced me to do it.”
Roberts was then asked if he had ever worked with snakes before that point, and his answer made the whole gimmick sound even crazier.
“No. I’m terrified of snakes. I hate snakes.”
That obviously sounds strange coming from the man fans knew as Jake “The Snake” Roberts. When the host pointed that out, Roberts didn’t back down. He said the fear was real, but something changed once he stepped through the curtain.
“Yes, I am. It’s so strange. I’d be terrified 24 hours a day, but when the bell rang, I became somebody else. Jake Roberts was not afraid of anything.”
Roberts was also asked whether he simply dealt with that fear on the fly or only pushed through it once he was in the ring. His answer was short and to the point, “Yep.” The snake most fans remember is Damien, and Roberts confirmed that Damien was the snake involved at that point. When asked how he got Damien, Roberts said WWE handled that part for him.
That makes the entire Jake “The Snake” Roberts character even more legendary. He sold the gimmick like he was born for it, even though the man behind it was scared of the very thing that made him famous. Roberts turned fear into money and became one of wrestling’s most unforgettable characters because of it. Whether he hated snakes or not, fans still remember Damien as one of the most iconic props in WWE history.
Are you surprised Jake Roberts was scared of snakes, or does that make the gimmick even better? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know.
