10 Major WWE Returns That Flopped

6. Jake Roberts

Jake €œThe Snake€ may be the master of the DDT, but he was not the master of the return. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, Roberts was a big star in the WWF. Much like Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper and The Ultimate Warrior, Roberts was a well known name for even non-fans. There was a good reason for this, he cut brilliant promos, threw beautiful punches, and famously carried a giant python with him to the ring. Had he stayed clean, he could have been one of the all-time greats. However, personal demons got the best of him time and time again, and kept his career from ever living up to its potential. While many fans look back on his feuds with Rick Rude and The Undertaker fondly, most have probably forgotten or not cared to remember his 1996 run. After three years away from the WWF and a troubled run in WCW, The Snake came back home. Instead of playing the dark and entertaining character he had before, he was now a bizarre preacher who carried around a Bible with him. In real life, Roberts became born again and wanted that transformation to be part of his character. However, as he was now a babyface, it made getting over with the company€™s increasingly adult product difficult. What also held Roberts back was that he was in terrible shape. Nearly every match he wrestled in he had a vest covering his physique. It€™s probably for the best, as when it came off he had a noticeable gut. The former lean superstar now just looked like someone you€™d find at your local bowling alley. After failing to reclaim his former glory, Roberts lost to Steve Austin in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament. This was sadly (for him) the most notable moment during his last in-ring run, as it was the catalyst for his landmark Austin 3:16 promo.