AEW has created a few homegrown stars in its first five years. The roster also includes WWE legends and Hall of Famers, including Adam Copeland, Jeff Jarrett, Billy Gunn, Dustin Rhodes, and Chris Jericho, among others. One major name has just offered updates on several matters, such as his future and the backstage atmosphere in Tony Khan's company.
Jake Roberts made a special AEW cameo in September 2019, then officially debuted in March 2020. Originally brought in for a six-week program, Roberts immediately signed a one-year deal, then a two-year contract extension. The Texas native revealed in March that he signed another one-year extension.
The WWE veteran has been aligned with Lance Archer since 2020 and joined forces with The Righteous in late 2023. The 69-year-old appears on AEW TV to manage the heel grapplers, when his health allows. During an interview with The Wrestling Classic, Jake confirmed he is still with the company.
"It's still going well. I'm still there, yeah. You know... we're just not doing much," Jake Roberts said. [From 26:32 to 26:36]
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Roberts was then asked if fans might see him back on AEW TV anytime soon and how he is feeling these days after years of health issues.
"Oh yeah, yeah. ... I feel pretty good. I'm having to occasionally go on oxygen, I'm 69-years-old, and if someone would've told me I would live to sixty-nine, I'd have laughed at them because I've been pretty rough on myself... [I] partied hard for about twenty-five years, I really abused my body, soul, and mind, but I've been sober now for twelve years. Nothing... no alcohol, no drugs, just trying to enjoy life, and I'm doing it," Jake Roberts said. [From 28:06 to 28:56]
When asked about the AEW atmosphere, Jake expressed his love for the company, and his boss, but said Khan is trying to do so much right now, and has a stable of wrestlers like no other.
Roberts also stated that AEW does not use Archer to his full potential, adding that The Murderhawk can do so much and is probably the best big-man in the sport.
The second-annual AEW WrestleDream takes place this Saturday
The second annual AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view is set to take place in less than one week. The big event is held in honor of NJPW Founder Antonio Inoki. The WWE Hall of Famer passed away on October 1, 2022.
Officials have confirmed eight matches for WrestleDream going into this week's go-home show, the Title Tuesday Dynamite. Below is the current lineup:
- World Championship Match: Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jon Moxley
- Women's World Championship Match: Mariah May (c) vs. Britt Baker or Willow Nightingale
- World Tag Team Championship Match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Private Party
- International Championship Triple Threat: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita
- TNT Championship Match: Jack Perry (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata
- Darby Allin vs. Brody King
- ROH World Championship Match: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Chris Jericho
- Zero Hour Pre-show, ROH World Television Championship Match: Atlantis Jr. (c) vs. Brian Cage
WrestleDream will be held at Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, on Saturday. The pay-per-view will be the company's debut at this venue. The Zero Hour pre-show will air on YouTube, X/Twitter, and Facebook at 6:30 pm ET, while the main show will begin on pay-per-view at 8 pm ET.