10 Weird Ways We Remember Legendary Wrestlers

5. Jake Roberts: Comeback Kid

Rey 30
WWE

The story of Jake Roberts is an uplifting one.

Seemingly plunged to the bottom of wrestling's horrific death pool through a years-long battle against alcoholism, the Snake DDT'd the drink thanks to DDP's intervention. We now know Roberts as a survivor, more than his ability to thrive in a super-muscled 1980s era through expert character work both sinister in the heel role and sympathetic in the face role. His contributions to the squared circle more or less a subplot, it doesn't help that his DDT finish has been cannibalised as a transition move used by almost everybody in the intervening years.

The public's love of the great comeback story has almost subsumed the Snake's own awesome storytelling abilities. It's a shame. We remember and do not ignore Wanna play 21? because it's no longer the depressing, drunken slur of a dead man walking but a grim beat in a story that magnifies its happy ending.

Really, the recovery is so improbable that its dramatic heft is naturally more memorable than even Jake's best WWF match, with Ted DiBiase at WrestleMania VI.

In this post: 
Rey Mysterio
 
First Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!