Jake "The Snake" Roberts: A Genius Ahead of His Time

Every diehard wrestling fan loves and remembers the intense believability of Stone Cold Steve Austin's promos, particularly "Austin 3:16."

But in much the same way that Randy "Macho Man" Savage was The Rock before The Rock, Jake Roberts was an earlier incarnation of Stone Cold.

Roberts also portrayed a rebel that was anti-establishment, and he pioneered the concept of the anti-hero in professional wrestling before Austin broke into the business.

His many promos and interviews always appeared real and natural, which was essential in a world where the business was viewed as reality.

He had a unique way of expressing himself, and he could get himself over as a "bona fide sicko," in the words of Gene Okerlund, with surprising and disturbing ease.

His in-ring psychology was a well-versed art form, and in the words of Ricky Steamboat, he was able to break it down into an "exact science more than anyone."

Every feud that he was involved in seemed important and was impossible to look away from. 

Andre the Giant, Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage and Rick Rude were all involved in memorable feuds with the Snake that produced countless unforgettable moments.

Who can forget Andre's fear of snakes, the stripping of Rick Rude or the many great times that Roberts had on his talk show, "The Snake Pit"?

People have been talking about Randy Savage as a glaring omission from the Hall of Fame, and while it is blatantly obvious that the "Macho Man" deserves a place among wrestling's legends, it would be fitting for Savage to be inducted along with one of his greatest ever opponents, Jake "The Snake" Roberts.