10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 11)
1. Fans Chanting 'DDT' Cost Jake Roberts Feud With Hulk Hogan
Ask many older wrestling fans to name the best talkers in the history of the industry are and there's a very good chance the name Jake 'The Snake' Roberts will crop up.
Utterly brilliant with his slow, deliberate pace and menacing tone, Roberts was one hell of a promo. Inside the ring, he was also quite the talent and was more than capable of producing a great match.
Roberts debuted in the WWF in 1986 and instantly become one of the most hated heels on the promotion's books. Following the debut of his 'Snake Pit' talk show segment, the company explored the idea of feuding him against uber-babyface Hulk Hogan.
On one edition of the Pit, Jake hit Hulk with his trademark DDT on the platform and cracked his head open, which seemed to signal that a big showdown was coming.
Telling The Hannibal TV YouTube show about what happened next, Jake said that he retreated backstage and was instantly grabbed by Vince McMahon. The boss told Roberts that this was his big break, because fans would start chanting for Hogan to get up and the two would feud.
Instead, they cheered on Jake and chanted 'DDT' over and over again.
Turning to the wrestler, McMahon told Jake that any chance of a subsequent program between the two was now nonexistent. Jake and Hogan did work a few house shows together, but the rivalry was scrapped entirely before it ever got started.