10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 18)

3. Bill Watts Told Jake Roberts Wrestling Wasn't A Carnival

1157680

It wasn't really until he reached the promised land of the WWF in 1986 that Jake Roberts feels he started to come into his own as a performer. Almost from the off, Roberts fit snugly into the circus-like atmosphere Vince McMahon was presenting, and he was clearly enjoying the heel role the promotion had in mind for him.

Before making it to the WWF, Roberts received a serious knock back from one of wrestling's most respected tough guys. Looking to create a new gimmick for himself, Roberts pitched the idea that he become known as 'The Snake', literally carrying the animal to ringside with him. 

As he did so, Bill Watts looked on, seriously unimpressed with what he was hearing.

Speaking to The Hannibal TV, Jake said that Watts looked him in the eye and told him that wrestling was "not a carnival". In other words, he was turning the idea down without a second glance. 

Later, Roberts would use 'The Snake' character to become one of the most recognisable names in the WWF.