With previous articles that I have written for the Quad Cities Daily, there is no doubt that I am a “wrasslin” fan. Not wrestling but “Wrasslin’”. Not in regards to today’s Sports Entertainment, but when it was bad guys against good guys. Wrestling has evolved over the years. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female, young or old; you can be a wrestling fan. When I went to the matches, you could see a wide variety of spectators in the audience.
I recently watched a documentary called “The Resurrection of Jake the Snake.” I knew that the film had been made and had always wanted to see it. The film centers on the life and recovery of Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake “the Snake” Roberts was born Aurelian Smith Jr. on May 30, 1955. His father was a professional wrestler also. Jake is famous for his intense and cerebral promos, his dark character as well as his extensive use of psychology in his matches. He would get “into your head” if you were his opponent. He is further known upon entering the WWF/WWE for bringing a snake to the ring.
Most people don’t realize that Jake had a career before he entered the WWF/WWE (1986).
Jake began his career in the early 70s in the Mid-Atlantic Territory. Jake’s career really got off the ground in 1983 when he joined the Legion of Doom with the Road Warriors, in Georgia Championship Wrestling. Jake went to Texas for a while before make his debut in the WWF/WWE in 1986.
While in the WWF/WWE, Jake made the “the Snake” moniker famous when he started bringing a huge Python to the ring in a bag as part of his gimmick. Jake soon began feuding with a long list of other wrestlers such as Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Rick Rude, The Honky Tonk 
Man, Andre the Giant and Randy “The Macho Man” Savage. Savage actually was bitten by the snake during a match.
On the downside, Jake had a growing drug problem. In 1999, a movie titled Beyond the Mat showed that side of Jake as well as discussing the breakup of his marriage and being estranged from his children. It was mentioned that Jake had smoked crack during the filming of the film. Jake has 8 children. It has been well documented that Jake has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. There are several videos on Youtube where Jake shows up for wrestling shows, barely able to stand.
Jake gained a lot of weight which also took a toll on his body. In 2012, Jake moved in with fellow wrestler, Diamond Dallas Page, founder of DDP Yoga. Jake weighed 300 pounds when he moved in. Page began working with Jake through his Yoga program as well as an alcohol-drug rehab program. Jake began to lose weight and regain his mobility. Throughout the film, Jake is shown in various aspects of the rehab programs.
Jake was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame by Page on April 5, 2014.
I don’t want to spoil the film if you watch it, but I can tell you this, several times, I had tears in my eyes. Even if you are not a wrestling fan, this film is worth watching. If you are a wrestling fan, you will really enjoy it. It shows a man at rock bottom that climbs out of that hole with faith and determination to reclaim his life.
The Resurrection of Jake the Snake is available on DVD as well as Netflix, Amazon and other streaming sites.
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He owns Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in Sheffield, Alabama. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Correspondent for the Quad Cities Daily.
