Why Jake Roberts' Father Is One Of The Most Hated Wrestlers Ever
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In the world of professional wrestling, few figures have elicited such a wide range of controversy as Grizzly Smith, the father of wrestling legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Behind his wrestling persona lies a man whose actions and personal life stirred up intense hatred and resentment among both his family and fans. There are several reasons behind the deep-rooted animosity that surrounded him throughout his career. From questionable tactics to shattered familial relationships, there are complex factors that made him one of the most hated figures in professional wrestling.
Who Was Jake Roberts' Father, Grizzly Smith?
Grizzly Smith had a diverse wrestling career that took him from Texas to Georgia and beyond. In Georgia, he challenged Freddie Blassie for the NWA Georgia World Heavyweight Championship but fell short. Smith later formed a successful tag team called The Kentuckians with Luke Brown. They secured the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship but eventually lost it to Lenny Montana and Gypsy Joe.The Kentuckians' fame extended beyond Georgia, as they engaged in memorable feuds with The Assassins across the United States. Their rivalries often involved notable names like Haystacks Calhoun and the Missouri Mauler. In 1965, The Kentuckians claimed the WWA World Tag Team Championship but ultimately dropped the titles to Gorilla Monsoon and Luke Graham. Smith and Brown also found success in the American Wrestling Association, winning the Midwest Tag Team Championship in 1966.
The team's ventures extended internationally, with Smith and Brown challenging Antonio Inoki and Hiro Matsuda for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Despite their efforts, they were unable to secure the titles. In Canada, Smith, wrestling as Ski Hi Jones, briefly held the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship with Don Leo Jonathan. But it was not his wrestling career that people remember him by.
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Jake Roberts And His Family Reveal The Truth About Grizzly Smith
Grizzly Smith's legacy in the eyes of present-day fans largely revolves around his role as the father of the celebrated WWE Hall-of-Famer, Jake "the Snake" Roberts. It is through Jake's narrative that a complex and disturbing story begins to unfold, as explored in the WWE-produced documentary "Jake 'The Snake' Roberts: Pick Your Poison" released in 2005, along with other media outlets where Jake has openly discussed the profound impact of his childhood trauma on his subsequent struggles with substance abuse.
The conversations with Grizzly Smith's children during Vice's Dark Side of the Ring reveal a deeply flawed and emotionally distant father figure, who not only displayed a disturbing preference for teenage girls, including his own daughter, but also raises suspicions about his potential involvement in the perplexing case of their sister Jo Lynn's kidnapping and disappearance in 1979, where her body was never recovered. Robin, one of the siblings, firmly believes that Jo Lynn suffered similar abuse at the hands of their father. Robin disclosed that she suffered sexual abuse by her father from the age of 8 to 14, and she had to threaten to shoot him with his own gun to make him stop.
Shockingly, soon after Robin learned of her father's predilections, Jo Lynn vanished, leading Robin to suspect that their father may have been responsible for her sister's untimely fate. Robin speculates that Jo Lynn possessed information about Grizzly that could have jeopardized his career, providing a possible motive for her disappearance. However, the truth behind these allegations remains unverified, leaving a haunting uncertainty that lingers in their lives.
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The Aftermath Of Grizzly Smith's Actions
The aftermath of these harrowing events resulted in a downward spiral into substance abuse for all three siblings. Jake's well-documented descent into drug addiction serves as a poignant testament to the profound impact of his childhood trauma. In a candid episode shedding light on their personal struggles, both Michael and Robin openly discuss their battles with alcohol addiction. But they all still managed to rise above and have memorable wrestling careers.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson had the opportunity to preview an episode of the Dark Side of the Ring series that focuses on the life and career of Grizzly Smith. Acknowledging the challenging nature of the episode, Johnson emphasized its significant importance. He expressed his admiration for the Smith family, including Jake, Robin, and Mike, commending their courage in speaking out about the profound pain they endured during their childhood. Additionally, he expressed gratitude towards Vice for granting him an early glimpse of the third season of the series and concluded his message with a personal shout-out to Jake Roberts. Jake and his family have truly gone through hell and managed to survive it.
