Jake Roberts Recounts Early Encounters with The Undertaker in WWE: “He Was In Pretty Bad Shape”
In a gripping recollection, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts delved into the early days of his dating with another wrestling legend, The Undertaker. Roberts shared his reminiscences in an interview with Wrestling-Edge.Com lower back in 2012, portray a shiny photograph in their preliminary interactions and the effect he had on The Undertaker’s storied profession.
Roberts began with a heartfelt expression of admiration for The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway. “I love the guy, number one,” he said, underscoring the deep respect he has for the man behind the iconic character. Roberts then detailed how he was present during The Undertaker’s early days in the WWE, playing a crucial role as a mentor and friend.
One of the most memorable anecdotes from Roberts’ account is a humorous yet revealing exchange between the two wrestlers. “He comes to me, he says, ‘Hey, I hear you know where all the good strip joints are at.’ And I’m like, ‘In the world, yes. I know them all,’” Roberts recalled with a chuckle. “And he’s like, ‘Well, I’ll travel with you!’ And I said, ‘Oh boy, why don’t you go back to playing basketball because you’re not gonna be able to hang with me,’ and I said, ‘I’ll kill ya.’” This interaction not only highlights their camaraderie but also sets the tone for the wild ride that followed.
Roberts went on to reveal a concerning episode involving The Undertaker’s health during those formative years. “A few weeks later, I believe he was in pretty bad shape—something about alcohol poisoning. Yeah, it was a chemical world, and I was cheating, man. He didn’t know it. I wasn’t gonna tell him!” This stark admission sheds light on the often tumultuous lifestyle that accompanied their wrestling careers and the challenges The Undertaker faced early on.
Despite these rough patches, Roberts emphasized the strong bond they developed over time. “He rolled with me for quite a while. We’re great friends, and I’d like to think that I helped him more,” he said, reflecting on their enduring friendship. Roberts believes that his guidance had a significant influence on The Undertaker’s career, helping him navigate the treacherous waters of professional wrestling.
In a poignant conclusion to his story, Roberts expressed confidence in the positive impact he had on The Undertaker’s development as a performer and a person. “I think if you asked him, he’d tell you the same, that he learned a lot from me,” he stated with pride. This sentiment is a testament to the deep bond and mutual respect that exists between these two WWE icons.
In some other vivid reminiscence, Roberts recalled the brutal aftermath of a bar brawl regarding the overdue Sika Anoa’i, another WWE Hall of Famer. Anoa’i, who was recognised for his fierce in-ring personality, located himself in a violent altercation at a rooftop bar. After putting a person, Anoa’i ended up with the man’s tooth embedded in his fist, best knowing the volume of his accidents days later. This brutal episode is simply one in every of many who illustrates the wild and often risky way of life that accompanied the wrestling career in those days.
