WWE: 10 Wrestlers Whose Lives Were Ruined By Substance Abuse

4. Jake Roberts

jake roberts Born as Aurelian Smith Jnr, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts is best known for his stints in the WWE during the 1990s. He used to bring his python called Damien into the ring with him but alas, John 'The Earthquake' Tenta - a mountainous man - sat on top of Damien and squished him. Jake feuded with Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage in his early career at the WWE, challenging Savage for the Intercontinental title. The match ended in a double disqualification. He turned face to battle the Honky Tonk Man - a really crappy wrestler with an Elvis impersonator gimmick and he had a cracking feud with Rick Rude in an angle that was ahead of its time - involving Jake's wife Cheryl refusing to kiss Rude and Rude subsequently wearing tights with Cheryl's image on them. This was quite racy for the WWE at that time. Jake moved on to a feud with Andre the Giant and then Ted DiBiase - the latter feud concerned ownership of the Million Dollar belt. He teamed up with The Undertaker to torment the Ultimate Warrior and he restarted his feud with Randy Savage by placing a snake in the wedding presents in the 'Match Made in Heaven' story arc where Savage married Miss Elizabeth. Savage had lost a retirement match with the Ultimate Warrior, but was reinstated after Jake made his snake bite Savage. The Undertaker beat him in Wrestlemania VIII and Roberts left the company, annoyed that they did not give him a writer's job. He returned to the WWE in 1996 as a bible preaching face which echoed his real life born again Christianity. Jerry Lawler made fun of Jake's past alcoholism. The WWE wanted Roberts to do more backstage stuff rather than wrestle - this led to a collapse of Robert's sobriety. In 1999, a documentary called Beyond the Mat revealed the extent of Robert's substance abuse problems and included a controversial part where Jake allegedly smoked crack after meeting his daughter. It wasn't shown on screen. Robert's career went into free fall and in 2012, he moved in with Diamond Dallas Page in an attempt to shape up. At this point he weighed 300 lbs and was a real mess. He attended AA meetings and lost weight. Diamond Dallas was trained by Roberts so he has a vested interest in his wellbeing. He also regularly drug tests Roberts - if he tests positive he is out. Just this morning I was watching WWE and Jake made an appearance with his customary snake. It would be great to see this legend make a return to wrestling. He is a very talented wrestler with heaps of charisma whose career and life was blighted by booze and drugs.
 
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My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!