Learning from Jake "The Snake" Roberts' has been invaluable to Lance Archer.
Speaking with Louis Dangoor of WrestleTalk, Archer discussed his decision to join AEW, performing in front of a fully attended show only once before the pandemic hit, and his pairing with a wrestling legend. Of all the lessons he has learned from Jake, The Murderhawk Monster says he has been most beneficial in helping him develop the voice of his character. He said the following:
"I'm coming up on 21 years in wrestling, so there's always still something you can learn. Being with somebody like Jake "The Snake" Roberts, it's been invaluable, to say the least. I believe that I've really come to know who the Murderhawk Monster is. I know how to step in that ring. I know how to kick ass. I know how to do what I'm doing. Not to say that I can't learn something, and I always do, from the youngest talent on the card to the most veteran vet that we have, but where Jake has truly been the most beneficial to me is being able to speak. Being able to give The Murderhawk Monster a voice. Because, in Japan, it was just a chaotic character that went out, scared kids, hit the Young Lions, threw water at people, and was just an insane monster that beat the crap out of people. Then when we did interviews backstage, it was very raw and emotional and chaotic, like I said. In Japan, some people understand me but to a small degree. But for the most part, they're just reading and feeling the energy. Come back to the US, now they can hear what the heck I'm saying and so now I got to figure out how to give The Murderhawk Monster a voice. Jake, who's one of the best promos in the business ever, he's really helped me find that voice, that cadence, that persona. I'm not trying to be Jake "The Snake" Roberts. I'm definitely trying to be The Murderhawk Monster, but you can't help but feel that vibe, that Jake "The Snake" vibe. That smooth, cunning, 'I'm going to cut you and you're not going to know it,' but then I throw in some Murderhawk, 'I'm going to rip your head off and spit down your throat' type scenario."
As for whether he knew about the pairing before his debut, Archer says that it was discussed ahead of time. There were some other options thrown out there, but once he was assured that Roberts was in a good place, both mentally and physically, Archer couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with someone with so much experience.
"No, no, it was a conversation we had prior to me debuting," Archer revealed. "There were a few other options that were out there but Jake, to me -- and I knew Jake. I've known Jake for a long time, and not knowing how Jake was now, and it's awesome to see Jake in the great place that he is both mentally and physically. It's very well known he's had some issues in the past with substance abuse and things like that and I've seen those and I've seen him at some of his worst and they assured me that he was doing well. Then, obviously, when he came in and we've been around each other this entire time, he has been great. He has been well, and he's a great human being to be around. The fact that he's able to stay off of that and being a part of AEW, and being with me, and everything it involves helps motivate him to stay in that good place in his life. So yeah, when it was brought up that Jake could be a possible manager with me I jumped at the chance because I knew his history, his style, his ability to talk, and that was a big thing."
Archer is scheduled to face Miro for the TNT Championship at AEW Double or Nothing. Fightful will have live coverage of the event on Sunday, May 30, 2021, beginning at 4 p.m. PST.
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