Jake Roberts Recalls 1980s WWE Schedule Being Incredibly Difficult

WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts has shed light on the exhausting schedule that wrestlers endured while working for Vince McMahon’s WWF in the 1980s.

Speaking on his podcast, The Snake Pit, Jake Roberts detailed the relentless pace that left little room for rest, let alone a personal life.

“Man, we were so busy we didn’t have time to communicate, we were running so hard. Seven days a week, twice on Saturday, twice on Sunday, and then if you’re doing pay-per-view, you work four times on TV. So figure it out, man, you didn’t have time to pull your underwear up.”

During this era, professional wrestling was experiencing a massive boom, with WWF expanding its presence across the country. However, that growth came at a steep cost for the wrestlers who carried the company’s success on their backs. Competitors were expected to perform multiple times per week, travel constantly, and stay in peak condition—all without the benefits of modern wellness policies or structured recovery periods.

For many, this demanding schedule led to long-term physical and mental struggles. Roberts, one of the most iconic stars of the period, was among those who battled through injuries and exhaustion just to keep pace with the industry’s demands. While WWE superstars today still travel often, the company has since introduced structured time off and reduced live event commitments compared to the gruelling schedule of the 1980s.

Why Did Jake Roberts Work With Snakes Despite Being Afraid Of Them?

Jake Roberts spoke about why he decided to work with snakes during his wrestling career despite being afraid of them and said that it’s because of the fear that he has of snakes and that many other people share that fear is why he decided to work with the reptiles. Roberts said the fact that people in the audience were terrified of his snakes made it easier to invoke an emotional reaction out of them during his matches.

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