The Snake’s in rattler country

By Mo Cranker on January 3, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

Being on the road, putting on shows, signing autographs and interacting with fans is all Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts has known for the past 40 years.

For the next couple weeks, Roberts will be joining the Canadian Wrestling Elite for a 21-show tour across Canada and the group will be in Medicine Hat to show off some of Canada’s top wrestling talent Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.

“This is what I’ve been doing for the last 40 years,” said Roberts. “Hitting the road, going from city to city and putting on a show — this is what I’ve always done.

“I’m 62 years old now, so really, I’m not going to be doing much other than getting with the fans who have watched for me all these years. I want to see as many fans as possible and it’s really what I’m about right now.”

Roberts will be joined by a young group of mostly Canadian wrestlers that will be competing throughout the evening, and says it’s a great opportunity to see talent before they hit the TV screens.

“Right now I’m doing some scouting,” he said. “I’ll be out here looking at the talent that’s available that might be looking to take that next step, maybe even towards the WWE. I really enjoy watching the young talent, especially since I can’t get into the ring and do the things I used to do.”

While Roberts says he loves interacting with his fans at every stop, he says he also has a soft spot when it comes to talking to people who are battling or have battled addiction and substance abuse.

“Talking to the kids is great, but anyone of any age that’s a fan — I love it,” he said. “Another calling for me is talking to people who are recovering from alcohol or drugs. I know what it’s like, I’ve been there, I know where their head set is. I’m able to help a lot of people this way, and I’ve been sober for six-and-a-half years.

“It’s been the best time of my life in these years. I’ve got my life back together, I’ve got my family back and I wish I would have done this a lot earlier. I always tell people ‘never give up’ and to just keep trying.”

Roberts says he will be in character during the tour, and that he will likely do something in the ring at each of the 21 events.

“Jake is a great character, and he’s really who I used to be,” he said. “He was a really tormented soul. He had a tough life and went through some really tough things. He took those things on everyone else and couldn’t be trusted. It’s not who I am anymore, but it’s who I was.”

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.diyobo.com/events/CWE-Presents–Pick-Your-Poison-Tour-4290-Medicine-Hat-Alberta.

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