On a recent edition of his “The Snake Pit” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts discussed the issues that Andre The Giant had with Big John Studd, working with an aging Andre, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On working with a declining Andre The Giant: “I was told a long time ago that you never expose somebody’s weakness. Because if you do that, you’re beating a lesser man. You know, you want to accentuate the guy’s positivity and make him the biggest, baddest son of a b**ch on the planet. That way if you beat him, you beat somebody. So knowing that Andre was struggling with his back — you know, even if you didn’t know, you could tell when he walked that he was hurting. Just by the way he walked. So what do you do? You don’t do s**t that will f**king make him bend over, get down on his knees, and get back up. Giants don’t need to do that s**t anyway.”
On changing up his matches with Andre: “We had variations. We’d just go out there and just do whatever we come up with, you know? I knew two or three things that he liked to do, so I put myself in a position for them. Sometimes he’d do ’em, sometimes he wouldn’t.”
On Andre not liking Big John Studd: “John was a good guy, man. And Andre hated him, hated him! So he would beat the f**k out of the job. In an interview one time, Studd called Andre ‘Nothing but a circus freak.’ And that didn’t sit well with Andre. So he would go out and toss Big John Studd around.”
On whether John had more potential: “I think what you saw is what you got. John wasn’t a lightning-quick thinker, he wasn’t real sharp. He was the dullest knife in the drawer, like a butter knife.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, few names are as legendary as Andre The Giant. Known for his immense size and strength, Andre was a force to be reckoned with in the ring. However, as with any athlete, time takes its toll, and Andre’s later years in the business were not without their challenges. In a recent episode of his podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts shed some light on the issues that Andre had to deal with, particularly in his feud with Big John Studd.
One of the main challenges that Andre faced was his declining physical condition. Roberts explained that it was important not to expose Andre’s weaknesses in the ring, as it would diminish his stature as a competitor. Despite knowing that Andre was struggling with his back, Roberts made sure to avoid any moves that would exacerbate his pain. He wanted to present Andre as the biggest and baddest wrestler on the planet, so that if anyone managed to defeat him, they would truly be beating someone formidable.
Roberts also discussed how he had to adapt his matches with Andre based on the giant’s preferences. While they didn’t have set routines or choreographed sequences, Roberts knew a few moves that Andre liked to perform and would position himself accordingly. However, there were times when Andre would deviate from their plans and do something unexpected. This flexibility was necessary when working with someone as unique and unpredictable as Andre The Giant.
One interesting tidbit revealed by Roberts was Andre’s dislike for Big John Studd. According to Roberts, Andre had a strong animosity towards Studd and would take it out on him in the ring. Studd once referred to Andre as a “circus freak” in an interview, which greatly angered the giant. As a result, Andre would often dominate Studd during their matches, using his immense strength to toss him around like a ragdoll.
When asked about Studd’s potential as a wrestler, Roberts didn’t hold back. He described Studd as a good guy but believed that what you saw was what you got with him. Studd was not known for his quick thinking or sharpness in the ring, leading Roberts to compare him to a dull butter knife. While Studd may not have had the same level of talent as Andre, he still played an important role in their feud and contributed to the overall storylines in professional wrestling.
The insights provided by Jake Roberts give fans a glimpse into the challenges that Andre The Giant faced towards the end of his career. Despite his physical limitations, Andre continued to captivate audiences with his larger-than-life presence and unmatched charisma. His feuds, such as the one with Big John Studd, added drama and excitement to the world of professional wrestling.
As we reflect on the legacy of Andre The Giant, it’s important to remember the impact he had on the industry and the lasting impression he left on fans around the world. His contributions to professional wrestling will never be forgotten, and his name will forever be synonymous with greatness.