The Lead: Jake Roberts Finishes AEW Run
Jake 'The Snake' Roberts is officially done with AEW. The WWE Hall of Famer confirmed his contract has expired and he is no longer on the payroll. Speaking with veteran journalist Bill Apter, Roberts broke the news directly.
“Love it. Love it. I just finished up working for him, I’m no longer employed by AEW. He (Tony Khan) is awesome, he really is. A breath of fresh air.”
Roberts' departure ends a six-year run that began in early 2020. Despite his exit, the legendary heel had nothing but praise for AEW President Tony Khan, calling him a positive force backstage.
As WrestleTalk confirmed, Roberts had already been phased out of weekly television. He last appeared in a notable role back in late 2024 during a brief, awkward run managing La Faccion Ingobernable. Since then, the 71-year-old wrestling icon has been quietly recovering from a series of major medical procedures at home.
His departure marks the end of an era for AEW's veteran manager division.
The Medical File: A Grueling Multi-Year Health Battle
Roberts' exit is not a sudden shock. It is the logical conclusion of a body worn down by decades in the ring and compounding health issues. The most recent major hurdle came in January 2026, when Roberts underwent a successful hip revision surgery.
This was his third hip replacement procedure, aimed at correcting issues from a previous joint replacement that had become highly problematic. His wife, Cheryl Roberts, confirmed that the surgery went well, allowing him to return home for a lengthy rehabilitation process.
But the hip surgery was only one part of a complex medical picture. In March 2026, Roberts revealed that surgeons had also implanted a Watchman device in his chest. This small implant is designed to prevent blood clots in the heart from traveling to the brain and causing strokes.
For a veteran with a history of cardiovascular struggles, this device is a vital defense mechanism. Roberts has also spent years battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as COPD. COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing extremely difficult.
During his early AEW run, Roberts was frequently seen backstage relying on an oxygen machine. While he noted in March 2026 that the condition is currently manageable, it has severely limited his mobility.
The constant travel required for live television tapings became a massive physical burden. His lungs simply could not sustain the grueling schedule of a weekly touring show.
This medical stretch follows a terrifying 2025. In the spring of last year, Roberts was hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia that kept him sidelined for weeks. Shortly after recovering, he underwent a heart ablation surgery in May 2025 to treat an irregular heartbeat.
The procedure uses heat or cold energy to scar tiny areas in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals. For a man who has lived through severe addiction and physical trauma, surviving these consecutive procedures is a feat of endurance.
Strategic Analysis: Where the Partnership Failed and Succeeded
When Jake Roberts debuted on the March 4, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, it was a major coup. Confronting Cody Rhodes in the middle of the ring, Roberts delivered a chilling, low-key promo that instantly went viral. He was quickly paired with Lance Archer, a monster heel who needed a mouth-piece to reach the main-event level.
The pairing initially looked like money, leading to a high-profile feud with Rhodes for the inaugural TNT Championship. But the booking quickly stalled. AEW failed to maintain Archer's momentum, hot-shotting him into title matches he was never going to win.
Archer lost to Cody Rhodes at Double or Nothing 2020, lost to Jon Moxley in a Texas Deathmatch, and fell down the card. As Archer was relegated to secondary programming, Roberts' health issues began to pull him off the road. This created a damaging disconnect for the act.
A monster heel loses his aura when his legendary manager is repeatedly absent without explanation. The late 2024 pairing with La Faccion Ingobernable was a desperate attempt to find a role for Roberts. It did not work.
Placing a classic Southern wrestling talker with a group of Mexican luchadores felt forced and lacked chemistry. Roberts was barely given mic time, and the faction struggled for television time before quietly dispersing. It was a clear sign that AEW's creative team had run out of ideas for the legend.
Financially and strategically, letting Roberts' contract expire is the right move for AEW. Paying a high-priced legend who cannot travel regularly or take physical bumps is not a sustainable model. AEW has shifted its focus to younger, active managers like Prince Nana or wrestlers who cut their own promos.
The roster is already bloated, and television time is at a premium. Keeping Roberts on the payroll as a legacy act was a luxury Tony Khan could no longer justify.
Historical Context: The High Cost of the Road
Wrestling history is filled with legendary managers who paid a devastating physical price for staying on the road too long. Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan spent his final years battling throat cancer and physical degradation, a sad contrast to his quick-witted prime. Jimmy Hart and Paul Ellering eventually had to step away from full-time touring as the physical demands of modern travel caught up with them.
Even Paul Heyman, who remains a focal point on WWE television, has had to limit his physical involvement in matches as he ages. The travel schedule of a modern wrestling promotion is notoriously brutal. Flying across the country every week, dealing with delayed flights, and sitting in rental cars for hours wrecks havoc on a healthy body.
For a 71-year-old managing severe COPD and recovering from a third hip replacement, it is downright dangerous. Roberts' decision to step away from AEW is a necessary choice for his long-term survival. He spent four decades destroying his body, and it is time to prioritize his health.
However, Roberts' run in AEW should still be viewed as a personal triumph. In the early 2010s, Roberts was in such poor physical shape that many expected him to become another tragic wrestling statistic. Through his work with Diamond Dallas Page and DDP Yoga, Roberts saved his life and earned a WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2014.
The fact that he was able to return to national television in 2020 and put in six years of work is proof of his remarkable recovery. He got to go out on his own terms, healthy and clear-headed.
The Road Ahead: What Lies Next for Jake Roberts
With his AEW contract expired, Roberts is unlikely to return to a full-time role in a major promotion. WWE is highly unlikely to bring him back as an on-screen character due to their strict wellness policies and his physical limitations. However, a legends contract with WWE remains a strong possibility.
This would allow him to make occasional appearances, sell merchandise, and secure his legacy without the stress of weekly travel. For now, Roberts is focusing on his recovery.
Recovering from a hip revision while managing COPD and a heart device is a full-time job. He will likely continue to make appearances at wrestling conventions and host his podcast, where he can connect with fans without the physical toll of the road.
The snake has finally slithered away from the weekly grind of national television. It is a well-earned retirement for one of the greatest minds the business has ever seen.
