Oklafan.com v5 Beta > News > Jake "The Snake", Jim Rose Throw Down July 5th

Home
News

Jake "The Snake", Jim Rose Throw Down July 5th

Posted: Jul 5th 2009 By: CMBurnham

The nine-page press release for the When Legends Collide Tour: The Jim Rose Circus vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts event begs two questions:

"What the heck is going to happen?" and "How can I get my hands on some tickets?"

The production -- billed as "high-flying, bone-jarring excitement not seen since Christians were fed to the lions" -- is set for 8 p.m. July 5 at the Classic Island Casino on Gage Boulevard in Kennewick. Tickets are $10 for the 21-and-over show.

The news release's ambiguity sits well with Rose. "Every show is different," he said from Las Vegas. "You're going to see a lot of circus stunts. You're going to see wrestling played out in the most intimate setting possible -- it won't be in a ring."

Rose continued: "My shows have always been hard to define."

Rose is not new to entertainment. He honed his circus-type events in Seattle and later went on to play host for The Jim Rose Twisted Tour on the Travel Channel. He lured Homer into the Jim Rose Circus on The Simpsons and, in 1995, appeared on The X-Files as the lead suspect in a murder, which he was never convicted of.

"I guess I got away with murder," he joked.

On July 5, Rose is bringing his latest incarnation to Kennewick before embarking on a tour destined for much larger venues including Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. Eventually he hopes to take the show to Europe.

As its name implies, the show features legendary professional wrestler Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who rose to fame in the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s and 1990s.

Roberts was trademarked by his lovable-bad guy charisma and, of course, his large, ever-present snake. Rose said Roberts will be involved in numerous wrestling matches.

"Jake is kind of like a John Wayne character," he said, explaining Roberts seemingly will take on all comers.

According to the release, the show, or at least portions of it, will feature Roberts "living out his tragedy once and for all."

"He was supposed to be the bad guy against Hulk Hogan in the '80s, but he sold his character too well and his charisma continued to woo his fans," the release reads.

"When he walked into the arena to cheers, Hulk would get boos. The promoters invested so much into marketing Hulk as the good guy that they had to discontinue Jake the Snake. ... Now it's time to get ready to be engrossed for the next chapter brought to you live with your ringleader Jim Rose at the helm."

Sunday's show also features SiNn BoHdi, formerly Kizarney of World Wrestling Entertainment, and Bebe the Circus Queen.

"Those that don't go will be hearing what an amazing show they missed for the rest of their lives," Rose said. "I sincerely believe this is the coolest show I've ever seen."

For more information, call 374-3289.