Jake Roberts Claims He Could Have Surpassed Hulk Hogan’s Popularity In The 1980s

WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts believes he could have eclipsed Hulk Hogan as the company’s leading babyface had he been given the chance.

Speaking on his podcast, The Snake Pit, Jake Roberts reflected on his match against The Honky Tonk Man at WrestleMania III, held on 29 March 1987. At the time, Roberts had recently switched to a babyface role, though he admitted he never truly felt comfortable as a fan favourite.

Roberts explained that he found the babyface role restrictive and much preferred portraying a villain. Despite his discomfort, he remains confident that, under different circumstances, he could have matched or even surpassed Hogan’s popularity.

“I know if I was given the opportunity, I could,” Roberts said. “But I knew that I wasn’t going to get that opportunity; I was in limbo.”

His comments are striking, considering Hogan’s immense stature in professional wrestling. In the 1980s, Hogan became a household name, helping to elevate wrestling into mainstream entertainment. His impact during that period is still regarded as pivotal to WWE’s global success.

Although Roberts never achieved the same level of mainstream fame as Hogan, he was nonetheless a major figure in the industry. Known for his chilling promos and psychological mastery inside the ring, Roberts left an indelible mark on professional wrestling.

While the notion of Roberts overtaking Hogan may seem unlikely to most, few would dispute his importance to wrestling’s golden era.

Which Celebrity Payout Did Jake Roberts Criticise?

Jake Roberts spoke critically of James “Buster” Douglas’ WWE payout for his involvement in the Main Event III event. Roberts said that Douglas being paid $100,000 for a special guest referee role in the Hulk Hogan vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage match at Main Event III rubbed a lot of the wrestlers on the show the wrong way. Roberts said that due to the fact that the wrestlers were travelling up and down the country each week, he felt that Douglas hadn’t earned such an immense paycheck.

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