10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 18)

3. Bill Watts Told Jake Roberts Wrestling Wasn't A Carnival

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It wasn't really until he reached the promised land of the WWF in 1986 that Jake Roberts feels he started to come into his own as a performer. Almost from the off, Roberts fit snugly into the circus-like atmosphere Vince McMahon was presenting, and he was clearly enjoying the heel role the promotion had in mind for him.

Before making it to the WWF, Roberts received a serious knock back from one of wrestling's most respected tough guys. Looking to create a new gimmick for himself, Roberts pitched the idea that he become known as 'The Snake', literally carrying the animal to ringside with him. 

As he did so, Bill Watts looked on, seriously unimpressed with what he was hearing.

Speaking to The Hannibal TV, Jake said that Watts looked him in the eye and told him that wrestling was "not a carnival". In other words, he was turning the idea down without a second glance. 

Later, Roberts would use 'The Snake' character to become one of the most recognisable names in the WWF. 

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.