Jake Roberts gives his thoughts on one particular individual who was considered to be a great technician but never received a substantial push.
The man in question was Terry Taylor. Taylor’s career saw him transition to different wrestling promotions, including Jim Crockett Promotions, WCCW, WCW and infamously WWE, where he adopted the persona of ‘The Red Rooster’; a gimmick many labelled as a career killer.
Not all great in-ring performers in professional wrestling can be regarded as a “top guy”. There are obviously numerous reasons for this. Politics, attitudes, gimmicks, lack of charisma… Sometimes great athletes just fail to “get over” with an audience or hit that proverbial “glass ceiling”. Speaking on his own podcast, The Snake Pit, Jake Roberts made his opinions clear when pondering the question of whether or not Terry Taylor could have been a top guy.
“Not a top guy. Not a top guy. You know, he can hold his own on the card. But he didn’t have it for the main event.”
Terry Taylor was regarded as a great talent who was a helping hand when a decent match was required but never got passed being seen as anything but a midcard player in both WWE and WCW. Roberts explained what the former ‘Red Rooster’ lacked preventing him from being a top guy.
“Size. The way he projected himself. He wasn’t strong enough. He had a lot of cute moves, but cute would get you killed in the real world.”
After retiring from in-ring competition in 2006, Taylor continued his involvement in professional wrestling as a road agent, trainer, interviewer, and director of talent relations in TNA. He later joined WWE as a trainer in its developmental territory, NXT, showcasing his dedication to nurturing future wrestling talents.
Jake Roberts Recalls Controversial Vince McMahon Storyline
Jake Roberts is considered an all-time legend both in the ring and behind the scenes due to his great mind for the business. However, he has also spoken openly about his demons over the decades. Speaking to Inside The Ropes, one WWE storyline in 1996 based on Roberts’ real life problems made him reconsider his opinion of Vince McMahon. Roberts felt that one particular angle in this feud was “cheap”.
H/t to TJRWrestling.net
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