WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts spoke with Gameshub about his wrestling journey, notably his decision to never pursue a title in WWE. He emphasized that holding a championship was not essential for his career satisfaction, as he was consistently featured in main events.
Roberts explained,
“I just didn’t need it. It wasn’t important for Jake the Snake to have a title. I was the main event every night. So how much better can it be? I didn’t need a push. But that cost me a lot of money, but I can’t complain about my career. Just go back and watch.”
Comparing Tony Khan’s Leadership to Vince McMahon’s
When discussing Tony Khan wrestling management, Roberts highlighted clear differences between Khan and former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. He pointed out that while McMahon delegated responsibilities and collaborated with others, Khan prefers to be involved in all aspects personally, which can lead to oversights given the extensive demands of producing numerous shows.
Roberts stated,
“Well, I think Khan has it in the way he treats talent. Vince was a great delegator. He would come up with the idea or use somebody else’s idea and spread it around to where everybody could work on it. Tony Khan doesn’t do that. He wants us to be all hands on him doing it. And a lot of times things get missed, no way one man came up with this stuff 24/7, seven days a week. You know, how many shows are they doing now? You know, that’s a lot of TV time.”
Wrestlers Who Remind Roberts of Himself
Roberts also reflected on contemporary wrestlers who share similarities with his own style and persona. He pointed to Randy Orton as embodying traits akin to Jake “The Snake,” especially in mannerisms and presence. However, Roberts noted that the style in AEW differs considerably from his own era, focusing more on high-flying athletes rather than brawlers like himself.
In his words,
“Oh, Randy Orton is a lot like Jake the Snake. Without a doubt. Just the mannerisms and the way he carries himself. AEW. Not so much. They’ve got a different class of breed down there. They’re smaller guys and they’re all high flyers. Snakes don’t fly!”
Insights into the Wrestling Industry’s Future Direction
Roberts’ commentary sheds light on how different management approaches shape wrestling promotions today, especially contrasting Tony Khan’s hands-on style with McMahon’s delegation. His perspective suggests that while Khan’s direct involvement reflects dedication, the scale of current programming may challenge the effectiveness of such management. As wrestling continues evolving, these dynamics could influence talent experience and creative output moving forward.
