DVD Review: WWE's Jake The Snake Roberts: Pick Your Poison
Bruce Collins
February 16, 2006
King Soloman once said that there is nothing new under the Sun.
Apparently, wrestling is no different than 'real' life.
The WWE has launched several DVD/video offerings that revolve around wrestling stars whose glory days have long since passed. Among them have been The Road Warriors, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart and The Ultimate Warrior.
The best 'glance backward' so far has been their recent release 'Pick Your Poison' which is the story of Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
For anyone who knows the legendary career of Roberts, it will be no surprise to hear about years of tumult, torment and tears. Jake was at his best when he was able to wear those emotions on his sleeve and use them to personify the most unique character to ever grace the 'squared circle'.
He was never really a heel nor a babyface (wrestling terms for heroes and villians). Instead, he was an ever changing shade of gray- sometimes more light and sometimes more dark.
Because Jake had a natural ability to reach out and touch the fans through 'ring psychology', there is no doubt that he will be remembered with wrestling fans long after he has departed.
His feuds with Andre the Giant and Ricky Steamboat are etched out among the great matches of the '80s.
The stories of Jake's childhood are heartbreaking, to say the least. A product of his haunting memories, Jake has battled with addictions that were once a comfort but now are the weights that pull him down.
This is a great DVD about a great wrestler, who still has a few lessons to learn and a few lessons to teach.
Jake has fallen, stood up, and fallen again.
There is a part of Jake in all of us.
Apparently, wrestling is no different than 'real' life.
The WWE has launched several DVD/video offerings that revolve around wrestling stars whose glory days have long since passed. Among them have been The Road Warriors, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart and The Ultimate Warrior.
The best 'glance backward' so far has been their recent release 'Pick Your Poison' which is the story of Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
For anyone who knows the legendary career of Roberts, it will be no surprise to hear about years of tumult, torment and tears. Jake was at his best when he was able to wear those emotions on his sleeve and use them to personify the most unique character to ever grace the 'squared circle'.
He was never really a heel nor a babyface (wrestling terms for heroes and villians). Instead, he was an ever changing shade of gray- sometimes more light and sometimes more dark.
Because Jake had a natural ability to reach out and touch the fans through 'ring psychology', there is no doubt that he will be remembered with wrestling fans long after he has departed.
His feuds with Andre the Giant and Ricky Steamboat are etched out among the great matches of the '80s.
The stories of Jake's childhood are heartbreaking, to say the least. A product of his haunting memories, Jake has battled with addictions that were once a comfort but now are the weights that pull him down.
This is a great DVD about a great wrestler, who still has a few lessons to learn and a few lessons to teach.
Jake has fallen, stood up, and fallen again.
There is a part of Jake in all of us.
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