WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts has offered a strong opinion on the company pulling back the curtain on its creative process. The legendary wrestler, known for his masterful character psychology, voiced his disapproval of the concept behind a new reality series, titled “Unreal,” which reportedly gives fans a look into how WWE storylines are developed.
For decades, the wrestling industry has carefully guarded the secrets of its inner workings to maintain the illusion for the audience. Roberts, a top star in an era where protecting the business was paramount, comes from a school of thought that believes the magic is lost when fans see too much. A show dedicated to exposing the creative process runs counter to that traditional philosophy.
On the latest episode of his podcast, The Snake Pit, Roberts began with a sarcastic take on WWE’s willingness to monetize every aspect of its operation. “Oh well, they’ve done everything else, and made money with it. They might as well do that too,” Roberts stated.
He then offered his direct assessment, arguing that the financial gain from such a show would not be worth the harm it could cause to the perception of the main product. Roberts believes that revealing how the proverbial sausage is made could diminish the fans’ investment in the on-screen characters and narratives.
“I think it’s foolish,” Roberts said. “I don’t think that product will ever warrant enough money being made for the damage that it’ll do. So that’s just my own thoughts.” His perspective carries weight, as his “Snake” persona is often cited as one of the most compelling and believable characters in wrestling history, built on mystique and the suspension of disbelief.
Roberts has been affiliated with AEW since 2020, where he has served primarily as a manager, most notably for Lance Archer. While he has not appeared on AEW television as frequently in recent months, he continues to share his decades of wrestling knowledge and sharp opinions on his weekly podcast, The Snake Pit.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit The Snake Pit with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
