10 Wrestlers Who Were Way Ahead Of Their Time
2. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts
If you are a subscriber to the WWE Network (9.99 a month!), go back and watch any WWE PPV from the late 80s or early 90s. Forget about the matches for now, and watch the various promos and backstage segments in between the bouts. What you'll get is a conveyor belt of shouty promos, a total lack of subtlety and a whole lot of spit and sweat.
One man stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb during this time. His promos didn't leave the camera covered in spit, and they were more likely to leave viewers and his opponents in a cold sweat. His name was Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, and his promos were so far ahead of everyone else at the time it was almost embarrassing.
Roberts used true psychological intimidating to get to his opponents, and his words carried a genuine threat that didn't require exaggeration or cartoonish violence. Roberts would quote philosophers, psychologists and artists in his quest to intimidate, always accompanied by his trusty accomplice Damien. His whisper was more terrifying than the roar of others.
Roberts was also one of the first to have a finishing move that drew gasps from the audience, in the shape of the DDT. It was an instant critical before instant criticals were a thing, a move that could be hit out of nowhere and was guaranteed victory for Roberts.