Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts revealed that he has been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD.
Appearing on the Nothing Beats Experience Podcast, where he also talked about Vince McMahon not seeing Steve Austin as a main event talent, the legend and WWE Hall of Famer revealed the diagnosis after speaking about being admitted to hospital in late October.
Initially, it was thought that the reptile loving star had contracted COVID-19 but that was soon ruled out in favour of a more serious diagnosis as Jake spoke about:
“I wish I could say it was COVID, but it’s not. What I’ve got is worse. It’s hereditary stuff, man. Not your happy camper stuff. Of course, I’m an ignorant son of b***h because I smoke cigarettes. I’m a dumb f**k. I plead to everyone, just don’t smoke and you’ll live a much happier life.”
Roberts then went on to name the disease as COPD before he talked about the seriousness of the diseases and the fact that he has learned to live with it in his day to day life:
“When I don’t get the right amount of oxygen into my blood, if I talk for 20 seconds, I’m done. I can’t go anymore. This is going to be something I’ll have to work with [for the rest of my life].”
Despite his diagnosis, Jake is determined to not let it hamper his aspirations to continue as part of the AEW roster and be in the corner of Lance Archer. After nearly a month away from television, Roberts and Archer made a brief cameo appearance at AEW Full Gear on Saturday evening.
According to Jake, the company are kind enough to continue to work with him despite him being unable to speak as he used to without a constant supply of oxygen:
“They [AEW] actually care about us athletes and get us the help we need. They really cared for Lance [Archer] when he got the COVID. Sadly, I went down the very next night with this [lung disease]. All I want to do is get out there [to the ring] and just do what I do man. That’s all I want.”
While the diagnosis is upsetting, especially to long time fans who grew up idolising Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, it’s encouraging that he is determined to carry on with AEW and do as much as he possibly can.
Inside the Ropes wishes Jake Roberts encouragement, support and our best wishes during this difficult period.
Credit for the interview: Nothing Beats Experience
h/t for the transcription: Wrestling Inc.