Inductee: Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Presenter: DDP
DDP says he can’t believe two of his boys are going into the Hall of Fame tonight, and thanks Triple H for making it happen. He talks about Dusty Rhodes and Jake Roberts believing in him as a 36-year-old rookie, and tells a story about Jake’s 16-foot snake getting loose in his apartment. DDP says it was his dream 18 months ago that he could be on this stage, on this night, resurrecting Jake Roberts life.
Jake comes out in a suit with snake skin highlights – I kid you not. He starts off talking about hating wrestling because his dad wrestled and he never saw him as a kid. He almost drops an F-Bomb but catches himself. Then he says it anyways and says “screw people’s emotions – this is what we do”, to which Dusty Rhodes gives a standing ovation.
Things get real as Jake breaks down with a “you still got it” chant. He says he doesn’t, and that hurts because he can’t play anymore. He talks about the ring being the only woman he never cheated on, and hated himself for what he did to his family. He says he hated God because he was jealous of his friends who had passed away, but then DDP came in and saved his life when he was doing drugs every day.
Jake talks about his surgery and the fans supporting him and waking him up to reality. He says his new hero is 18-months old, and brings up his grandson who was 1.5 pounds at birth and fed through tubes. The little kid is brought up on stage and Jake holds him, telling his family that they are his heroes. He ends his speech saying “My family gave me a second chance – god bless the WWE because they gave me one too.”
Killam: Wow…that was one of the most emotional and dark speeches you will ever hear. I have nothing to say accept thank you DDP, and thank you Scott Hall. Jake Roberts was the first bad guy to ever give me nightmares as a little kid, and this moment was extremely special.
