Jake "The Snake" To Retire from Wrestling

[nightrain]

WRESTLING legend Jake 'The Snake' Roberts says he will retire from the sport by the end of the year.

The 1980s and 1990s WWE icon, who also enjoyed stints in WCW and TNA, has made a living in recent years by working on the UK and US independent scene.

But Jake, 54, says he is now physically unable to compete and will quit after a 2010 retirement tour.

Speaking on his MySpace blog, Jake wrote: "Bottom line, it's time.

"There comes a moment and I regret that it has happened, but I simply am unable physically to perform at the level that I find acceptable.

"I cannot do what I did 30 years ago, and my God, am I glad that I can't.

"But my love for what I've done in the last 35 years deserves more than I am capable of doing."

Looking back over a career filled with in-ring highs but personal lows, largely due to battles with drugs and alcohol, Jake added: "I cherish every moment that I've had, good or bad, bottom line is I never had a bad moment in the ring.

"Any moment was something to treasure, and I can only do so by stepping away.

"Although the cheers and support are still there from you, the fans,

"I would be a liar to say that it is not only painful physically, mentally, but worst of all, deep in my heart."

But admirers of one of the greatest ring minds in the history of the business need not worry about losing him altogether, Jake finishes the blog by hinting as a future career as a wrestling adviser, booker or teacher.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2822057/Wrestling-legend-Jake-The-Snake-Roberts-will-quit-before-the-end-of-the-year.html#ixzz0dXCTRKNU

[Hammy]

A legend without a doubt but he should have retired about 1997.  I hope he keeps his life on track.

[nightrain]

WRESTLING legend Jake 'The Snake' Roberts has announced his retirement from the squared circle.

The 55-year-old grappler brought down the curtain on his career at an indy show in New York.

Roberts gave a touching speech in the ring and talked about his father Grizzly Smith, who passed away in June.

The pair had a troubled relationship but the ex-WWE star Jake said he entered the wrestling business to make his dad proud and they had become close again.

He then thanked fans and said he could no longer compete due to medical issues.

Roberts' 35 years in the ring contained huge highs but also heartbreaking lows.

He will always be renowned as one of the greatest minds in the wrestling business, the inventor of the DDT and a key part of the wrestling boom of the 1980s.

His first WWE run included memorable matches and feuds with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, 'Ravishing' Rick Rude, Andre The Giant, Earthquake and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage.

However, his later years were blighted by a serious drug addiction that he admits should have killed him. He credits WWE-paid rehab for saving his life.

In a SunSport interview conducted last year, Roberts admitted: "Regardless of the reasons WWE did it ? whether it was for love or because of the pressure Vince McMahon was being put under by the government over steroids and drugs ? I don't care.

"If you save the life of one human being you should be sainted for it.

"You don't just save one life, you save everybody around that person from suffering. Now I can enjoy life and enjoy being a father and a grandfather.

"I feel fortunate to be alive."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/3112769/Jake-Roberts-has-retired-from-wrestling.html

[scotta75]

All I can say is good luck in whatever Jack does because to me he is a true legend of this sport that we all love.

Jake will have career behind the scene in wrestling because he has so much to offer I hope the WWE or TNA will take Jake as a road agent or something and let him put his wrestling knowledge to work.