Zachary FenellDVD Review: "Jake 'the Snake' Roberts Pick Your Poison"
October 20th 2011 05:02
Around a month ago I reviewed “Born to Controversy the Roddy Piper Story,” a DVD I passed up on buying during its initial release in 2006 favoring other WWE videos at the time instead. Today I wish to do the same with “Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” a release from 2005 I purchased a few months ago from Amazon for $5.99.
“Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” offers an intriguing documentary featuring heavy content. The DVD gives insight into a side of professional wrestling we fans don’t often think about. Roberts discusses how spending so much time on the road damaged his marriage and how medicating injuries with painkillers intensified his drug problems. By the end you gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices wrestlers make to entertain audiences all around.
Now, don’t worry. “Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” also highlights the entertainment aspect of the wrestling industry. Behind the scene gossip revealed on the DVD include various snake stories, the motivation for involving Jake’s wife into the “Ravishing” Rick Rude feud, and backstage insights into the Jake Roberts/Jerry Lawler rivalry from 1996. The feud with Lawler proves especially interesting but not for positive reasons. You will likely wonder what the heck WWE was thinking when deciding to use real alcohol in a storyline starring a recovering alcoholic. It seriously comes off as tasteless.
Anyways let’s not dwell on the negative. The DVD offers some entertaining extras although the match selection could use improvement. In particular I think more matches from Jake Roberts’ prime would help. Still, the bouts included showcase the power “The Snake” held over live crowds. Bottom line though the “Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” documentary alone provides enough incentive to buy this WWE Home Video two disc set.
PrtSC of the 'Pick Your Poison' DVD main menu.
“Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” offers an intriguing documentary featuring heavy content. The DVD gives insight into a side of professional wrestling we fans don’t often think about. Roberts discusses how spending so much time on the road damaged his marriage and how medicating injuries with painkillers intensified his drug problems. By the end you gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices wrestlers make to entertain audiences all around.
Now, don’t worry. “Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” also highlights the entertainment aspect of the wrestling industry. Behind the scene gossip revealed on the DVD include various snake stories, the motivation for involving Jake’s wife into the “Ravishing” Rick Rude feud, and backstage insights into the Jake Roberts/Jerry Lawler rivalry from 1996. The feud with Lawler proves especially interesting but not for positive reasons. You will likely wonder what the heck WWE was thinking when deciding to use real alcohol in a storyline starring a recovering alcoholic. It seriously comes off as tasteless.
Substance abuse did a number on Jake Roberts over the years. Photo: Wikimedia Commons user shstmg
Anyways let’s not dwell on the negative. The DVD offers some entertaining extras although the match selection could use improvement. In particular I think more matches from Jake Roberts’ prime would help. Still, the bouts included showcase the power “The Snake” held over live crowds. Bottom line though the “Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts Pick Your Poison” documentary alone provides enough incentive to buy this WWE Home Video two disc set.
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