WWE: Top 10 Superstars To Never Be World Champion
By Tim Sherry
credit: wwe.com
7. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Unlike anybody else on this list, Jake Roberts is the only superstar in this countdown that not only did not ever win a world title in the WWE, but also never held any belt in the company. On paper at least, that would look like he’d be at a severe disadvantage but in examining “The Snake’s” career, it was a flat out shame that he never tasted gold. But unlike many others, unfair booking was not the cause of Roberts lack of success. His own personal demons and career decisions played a major role in what would be his WWE demise. Long issues with drug addiction hurt his career, as well as the decision to walk away from the company in 1992 over a dispute with Vince McMahon of not receiving a spot on the writing team that he felt he was promised.
Before leaving the company for the first time, Roberts had secured himself as one of the best talkers in the company and was able to operate successfully as a heel as well as a baby face. He had produced tremendous psychology in and out of the ring in all of his feuds and along with a highlight reel DDT as his finisher, Roberts had the potential to be one of the greats. Shortly after his debut in 1986, a plan was in place for Jake to feud with then champion, Hulk Hogan. However, the fans shockingly cheered Roberts when he DDT’d Hogan on an episode of his own “Snake Pit” segment, and the angle was immediately nixed. Roberts would never again see the world title scene.
However, just because Roberts didn’t win a title in WWE, does not mean his stats were bad. He won over 500 matches, was a finalist in the 1997 King of the Ring, and for all his importance to the company during some tough years, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. Roberts was one of those guys that had he surfaced during another time, may have been a multiple time world champion. His talent and character were as strong as anybody during his WWE tenure, and he will almost certainly be recognized as one the company’s true pioneers.