In a recent episode of his podcast, “The Snake Pit”, wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts shared his thoughts and experiences regarding the wrestling industry, booker frustrations, and the wrestling scene in 1984 among other relevant subjects.
Here are some key takeaways from the podcast episode:
Reflecting on the perception of WWE by competing promotions back in 1984, Roberts said: “They operated in their individual fashion. Everything was fine. Each had its own territory, wreaking their magic, profiting their share. WWE was nothing but another territory.”
Discussing the perceived invincibility of the NWA at the period, he noted, “Yes, I assumed it would stand the test of time… I was aware that some folks owned a part of this, or a fragment of that. However, I was in the dark concerning the internal operations.”
On the topic of professional wrestling being akin to the Wild West during this era he opined, “Indeed, every entity had its own exclusive gimmick, especially considering it was showcased on local television. Exposure was hardly a concern.”
Discussing the challenges and infuriations of being a booker, Roberts expressed, “It was frustrating to say the least. You’d have this perfect scenario painted in your mind, one that you are certain is a goldmine. But then some individual would just not comprehend the greatness of it or even outright refuse to cooperate. Some wouldn’t put the right emphasis at the right moments within the match or the angle. They just wouldn’t give it the right spin. It’s mastering the details that rakes in the cash.”
When asked about the most frustrating wrestler he had to deal with, he revealed, “King Kong Bundy. He could ruin even a fantastic dream… His performance in the ring was just a disaster. He could spiral a perfect setup into chaos.”
The episode, titled “The Snake Pit Ep. 84: Black Saturday”, can be streamed below. [Insert Podcast Link]