In 2001, Jake Roberts moved to Great Britain, where he began competing for Brian Dixon's All-Star Wrestling. In December, he made his Pro Wrestling Debut for Ricky Knight's World Association of Wrestling in Lowestoft, teaming with Steve Quintain against the U.K. Pitbulls
On October 20, 2002, Jake Roberts became the NWA (UK) Hammerlock Heavyweight Champion in Maidstone, Kent, England by defeating "Vigilante" Johnny Moss. Moss defeated him for the title the next night in Ashford, Kent, England, though. In November 2002, Jake started his own wrestling promotion in the UK, called "Real Stars of Wrestling". Jake would later go on to open his own training school.
Jake's legal troubles continued, after he was accused of animal cruelty for leaving the snakes at his house unfed for several months. One python subsequently died from starvation. Jake was fined £800 and was banned from keeping animals in the U.K.
Jake would later return to action for the World Association of Wrestling and became a regular on their shows again. He would also go on to compete for the Ultimate Wrestling Alliance, owned by Paul Tyrell and Phil Powers.
In February 2004, Jake wrestled for Wrestle Zone Wrestling, who are the leading wrestling promotion in the North-east of England. Jake headlined WZW's first sellout tour of Scotland and Carlisle. The tour would bring about even more controversy to Jake's already controversial career. On the night of the first show in Dumfries, Jake got into a backstage confrontation with established UK wrestler Alex Shane. Alex, after being taunted by Jake, attacked the legendary wrestler. Alex later said that he couldn't take anymore of Jake's insults and felt it necessary to hit Jake. Jake, after a warning by then-WZW owner Gary Graham went out and faced the UK Hardcore Icon Iceman. Jake won via his patented DDT. The next night at the Lakes Court Hotel in Carlisle, Jake lost his match to Phil Powers, but on the afternoon show Jake would get his revenge, when he beat Powers in what has been described as Jake's best match this side of the Atlantic.
Amazingly, Jake was later booked by Alex Shane on an FWA show as a late replacement for Steve Corino, who had been unable to attend the show because of flight problems.
During 2004, Jake caused further controversy by entering into a relationship with a female trainee of his, with whom he lived for six months, and who later went on to become popular UK-based wrestler, Aphrodite.
Jake made a WWE appearance on March 14, 2005 on RAW, where he confronted Randy Orton, who was preparing to challenge the Undertaker at WrestleMania 21. Roberts warned Orton that facing The Undertaker, particularly at WrestleMania, could be a soul-altering experience; he then fell victim to Orton's signature "RKO," helping to fuel Orton's "Legend Killer" gimmick. He worked with the company to create a DVD retrospective of his career, which was released later that year.
Jake made an appearance on the October 19, 2006 edition of TNA iMPACT!, and announced he would referee the Monster's Ball match between Brother Runt, Abyss, Raven and Samoa Joe at Bound for Glory. He had a snake in a bag. Whether this was supposed to be Lucifer is unknown. At TNA Bound For Glory on October 22, 2006, he performed a DDT on Raven, giving Samoa Joe the win in the Monster's Ball match.
