10 Most Rebellious Anti-Heroes In WWE History

4. Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Jake Roberts
WWE.com

Jake Roberts is one of wrestling’s master psychologists, and a man who could talk you into selling your liver to a sketchy guy in a back alley. His promos are the stuff of legend, and while his cohorts screamed and shouted into the microphone, Jake spoke in a calm, cold timbre that chilled viewers to the bone. At his absolute best, Jake was evil incarnate and his interviews convinced you that there wasn’t another man as devious as him walking the Earth.

Roberts played face a couple of times throughout his career, but he was a pure villain by the time he reached WWE. He and his pet snake Damien terrorised wrestlers and fans alike, and he oozed pure intimidation from every pore. Jake didn’t have the conventional superstar look, but nobody could match his fear factor, and he remains one of the most influential performers in wrestling history.

Despite all this, there was something about Jake Roberts that made him hugely popular among the fans. Jake was evil incarnate, but he always had the fans’ respect, and was so popular that WWE once cancelled a potential feud with Hulk Hogan because they didn’t want the fans turning on the Hulkster.

A true trendsetter in the wrestling industry, Jake Roberts was one of a kind. His act will never be replicated, and his menace will never be matched.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.