WWE: 10 Things You Need To Know About Jake "The Snake" Roberts

9. Jake Blazed A Trail On The Microphone

Roberts wielded his deep, Texan drawl like a time-release weapon. It's not that he spoke slowly, but his was a deliberate pace that commanded attention. Every sentence was measured and clear. There was no wasted effort, no gibberish, no jitters. Jake was always composed and professional, which made his message even more meaningful: he was coming to get you. Whether "you" meant a physically dominant opponent like The Undertaker or a notorious cheater like The Million Dollar Man, you always believed that Jake had a plan. The Snake had a smooth, low voice. Jake exercised such careful control over his promos, that every fluctuation in volume and tone had meaning. It always felt like he knew exactly what he was going to say, without sounding a bit rehearsed. So natural, and eerily convincing. But it wasn't just the WAY in which Jake spoke, but his choice of words. As Gene Okerlund quipped at the end of Jake's WrestleMania VI promo, "Longfellow couldn't have said it better himself!" While that may have been the typical WWF exaggeration, Jake's promise to Ted DiBiase was chilling:"How appropriate...that the money that you grovel for is your very own... A victim of your own greed... wallowing in the muck of avarice." He was also an excellent host on his interview segment, called The Snake Pit. Jake was good at prompting his guests with questions and comments to help tell their story. He didn't try to put himself over at the same time, which is such a common mistake today (MizTV). Jake's promos were ahead of their time, because he used psychology to make a point. He knew how to get into the heads of his opponents, and luckily for us, he knew how to express it on the microphone.