Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46805 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-12-05
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 341 minutes

Synopsis
The real story behind the legend of WWE. Features the man himself revealing many of the highs and the lows of his career including family tragedy and drug problems as well as his relationships with his fellow competitors. Also includes many of his wrestling matches such as the one against Ricky Steamboat in Snake Pit Match, The Big Event - 28/08/86 and vs. Honky Tonk Man, Wrestlemania III - 29/03/87.

Customer Reviews

One Of The Most Insightful (And Depressing) WWE Releases
Like The Ultimate Warrior, Jake "The Snake" Roberts was a huge star during wrestling's first big heyday during the late 80's and early 90's. Even if you are no longer a wrestling fan, you will still remember Jake Roberts telling fans/opponents etc to "Trust Me", before laying out his foes with his devastating DDT finishing move and draping his pet snake over their lifeless body.

However, in real-life, Jake was his own worst enemy. While he enjoyed success and adoration all over the world, his personal life was falling to pieces. Anyone who's watched "Beyond The Mat" (a documentary film released in 1999, much to the chagrin of Vince McMahon, the WWF and others) can testify that the image that we see of Jake is that of a fallen star, and a victim of the "Rock N' Roll" lifestyle of wrestling during its first peak.

For anyone who'd never seen "The Snake" out of the ring, watching the footage of him in the film was a harrowing and rather depressing experience (especially the scenes in which he tried to repair the fractured relationship with his daughter). For any fans that were under the impression that Jake lived the life of luxury and had simply been living off his previous success for all these years, this film was a harsh wake-up call.

"Pick Your Poison" also doesn't shy away from Jake's long-running battles with his "demons". In fact, it (along with the man himself) openly discusses them. Jake also talks about his troubled childhood (which in itself, sounds like enough to make anyone hit the bottle or turn to drugs) and how he got into wrestling to "get back" at his father, who according to Jake, never really loved him.

We also learn how Jake became "The Snake" and ended up in the WWF, where he had his most famous run as a heel and a baby face. Many memorable matches and moments are relived, including the infamous "Snake Bite" angle in 1991 (which is still shocking to this day), the "death" of Damien (Jake's first regular snake used on TV) and more. We find out how Jake ended up in WCW, but left shortly afterward (long-term WCW fans will be pleased to know that his rarely seen [in the UK] "Coal Miner's Glove Match" against Sting is included as a DVD extra).

Jake returned to the WWF in 1996. The company rather callously (or perhaps carelessly) exploited Roberts' new religious lifestyle and his decision to be "tee-total" (they ran a feud where Jerry Lawler doused him in alcohol and made several personal remarks about his previous drinking habit). Not surprisingly, Jake took it personally, but Jerry Lawler goes on to defend the angle.

The documentary part of the DVD is very interesting and emotionally involving. Jake's story is not pretty, and unlike many WWE releases (which usually contain a few bad words and violence), is not really suitable for anyone under 15 (hence the rating), due to it's rather mature drug/alcohol abuse theme.

The extras are more than adequate. There's plenty here to enjoy, especially if you're a fan of Jake's deadly serious (even in the "cartoon era") promos and interviews. Plus, there's some classic matches and angles (such as the infamous "Casket" skits with Warrior) and a few comments from Jake that didn't make into the final documentary.

Overall, this is an impressive and well-handled WWE DVD release that should please "old school" WWE fans and new fans as well. Regardless of the turn Jake's personal life took, his wrestling career was an undeniable success and he himself was one of the big names who got the ball rolling for the business that we see today.

bleak and not for the young but rewarding
When i look back on jake the snake roberts career my mind thinks of a man that didnt have wrestling down to a tee,he didnt make or break careers,he could have had it all but fell short and he was his own worst enemy but i can certainly say that few wrestlers had mindgames down to an art like jake did,this was his speciality and he reigned in it.
Jake was a man with a skill on the mic,he didnt raise his voice,he didnt have too,he had a rival beat before the match started at times,and the use of his snakes proved a science that few could get past,he was all about shade and darkness and his career in the ring was all about that,a reluctant hero perhaps,outside of the ring was where the real battle took place though.
This double dvd starts off with a documentary so bleak and dark that one would be forgiven for reaching for the off button,jake had a life so tortured that his drinking and drug problems can almost,almost be excused but not quite as he shot himself in the foot time after time,we get painfully honest insights from the man himself while others throw in their two cents worth but this is still brilliant and certainly the best wwe documentary of a superstar yet,it isnt all kissing the star and feeding his ego,this is far from that,far indeed.
The other contents showcase that jake was a limited wrstler at times but didnt look out of place either,some of the matches he wins and some he loses,some of the matches are poor though,the summerslam 1996 match with jerome the king is pretty poor and does jake no favours at all,the segments with jake in interviews and in the snake pit bring back acclaim to the man but its hard to ignore that revealing and insightful documentary though,very hard.

JAKE ROBERTS DVD
THIS ONE OF THE BEST WWE DVDS TO DATE. THE JAKE ROBERTS STORY IS BOTH INTRESTING AND SHOCKING.THERE IS LITTLE LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION AND JAKE SPEAKS FRANKLY ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CAREER. HE IS ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS AND IN HIS HEYDAY CARRIED MORE WRESTLERS THROUGH MATCHES THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER.THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE MATCHES ON THIS DVD THOUGH INCLUDING HIS FIGHTS WITH RANDY SAVAGE, ANDRE THE GIANT, KING KONG BUNDY, RICK MARTEL AND MR.PERFECT.THE INCLUSION OF THE RICK STEAMBOAT SNAKE PIT MATCH IS LONG OVERDUE.THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY JAKE FANS.