| The Rockers | |
| Tag Team | |
|---|---|
| Members | Shawn Michaels Marty Jannetty |
| Name(s) | The Rockers The Midnight Rockers |
| Heights | Shawn: 6 ft 1 in (1. This article refers to the band For the wrestling term see Tag team. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22 1965 better known by his Ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American professional wrestler. Frederick Marty Jannetty The next week on the 15th anniversary of Raw, Jannetty appeared along with Michaels in an interview 85 m) Marty: 5 ft 11 in (1. 80 m) |
| Combined weight | 455 lb (206 kg/32. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass 5 st) |
| Debut | 1985 |
| Disbanded | December 2, 1991 |
| Promotions | AWA, CSW, CWA CWF, WWF |
The Rockers were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty that teamed from 1985 to 1992 initially as The Midnight Rockers and then later simply as the Rockers. The stone is a unit of Weight. It is part of the Imperial system of weights and measures used in the British Isles, and formerly used in most The American Wrestling Association (AWA was an American Professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis Minnesota that ran from 1960 Heart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was The Continental Wrestling Association (later on “Championship Wrestling Association” was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. "CWF" redirects here For the other American Professional wrestling promotion which used the CWF Acronym, see Championship World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff This article refers to the band For the wrestling term see Tag team. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22 1965 better known by his Ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American professional wrestler. Frederick Marty Jannetty The next week on the 15th anniversary of Raw, Jannetty appeared along with Michaels in an interview The team worked for Central States Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association, Continental Wrestling Federation, Continental Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation. Heart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was The American Wrestling Association (AWA was an American Professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis Minnesota that ran from 1960 "CWF" redirects here For the other American Professional wrestling promotion which used the CWF Acronym, see Championship The Continental Wrestling Association (later on “Championship Wrestling Association” was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet,
In 1992, the team had a violent “on screen” break up that helped propel Shawn Michaels into the singles ranks with the “Heartbreak Kid” gimmick that he still uses today. After the break up Michaels and Jannetty had an on again, off again feud due to Jannetty leaving the WWF on more than one occasion. In 1996, Jannetty teamed up with Leif Cassidy to form The New Rockers but the team never achieved much success in the WWF and ended later that same year. Allen Ray Sarven (born July 18 1963) is a professional wrestler and Actor better known by his Ring name of Al Snow
In 2005, the Rockers reunited for one night but nothing more came of it because Jannety was released by the WWE. In 2006, Jannetty was slated to return and work an extended angle, teaming with Michaels against Vince and Shane McMahon but only made 2 televised appearances before being released from his contract. Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr Shane Brandon McMahon (born January 15 1970 Shane has served as Executive Vice President of WWE Global Media overseeing International Television Distribution Live Event bookings
Contents |
Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels first met and struck up a friendship when they both competed for the Cental States Wrestling territory in Kansas City in 1985. Frederick Marty Jannetty The next week on the 15th anniversary of Raw, Jannetty appeared along with Michaels in an interview Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22 1965 better known by his Ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American professional wrestler. Heart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages Initially they would only travel together (along with Dave “D. J. ” Peterson) since Jannetty was either teaming with Tommy Rogers (better known as Tommy Lane of the Rock 'n' Roll RPMs) or he was teaming with Cental States booker ”Bulldog” Bob Brown. Tommy Lee Jones was a Professional wrestler. He was best known for wrestling in southern United States wrestling promotions as Tommy Lane, one-half The Rock 'n' Roll RPMs were a tag team who competed in several Professional wrestling promotions throughout the Southern United States. Robert Harold Brown ( October 16, 1938 - February 5, 1997) better known by his ring name "Bulldog" Bob Brown was After the team of Jannetty and Brown broke up Michaels and Jannetty started teaming up, although they weren’t given a team name. [1] On May 15, 1986 Michaels and Jannetty defeated The Batten Twins (Brad & Bart) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship. Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The NWA Central States Tag Team Championship was the primary tag team championship for the Heart of America Sports Attractions / Central States Wrestling promotion from Their first title reign was shortlived as the Batten Twins regained the titles only 7 days later on May 22, 1986. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) [2]
Shortly after the team lost the CSW tag team title Shawn Michaels left Kansas City and returned to his homestate of Texas to work for Texas All-Star Wrestling. Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW was a Professional wrestling promotion that was owned by Joseph Blanchard and based in San Antonio Texas, from In TASW Shawn began teaming with Paul Diamond as ”American Breed” and the team of Jannetty and Michaels seemed like it was never meant to be a permanent thing. [1]
In early 1986, both Jannetty and Michaels were signed by the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as they needed young talent to replace the wrestlers that had switched to the World Wrestling Federation as it was expanding towards becoming a national company. The American Wrestling Association (AWA was an American Professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis Minnesota that ran from 1960 World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, [3] The two were paired up by the AWA bookers, Greg Gagne (son of the owner and one of the bookers) suggested the name ”The Country Rockers”, another idea for a name was the "U. Greg Gagne (ˈgɑːnjə born July 27, 1948 in Robbinsdale Minnesota) is a former professional wrestler and is the son of the legendary S. Express" (as told by Marty during an interview on AWA television that aired in 1986) not keen on the idea the two of them came up with the name The Midnight Rockers inspired by Judas Priest’s ”Living after Midnight”. Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in 1970 in Birmingham. AWA owner Verne Gagne did not seem to understand the idea, (in fact he is quoted as wondering if fans might confuse the name with rocking chairs. Verne Gagne (born February 26 1926) is a former American Professional wrestler, football player Pro wrestling Trainer, and ) but let the team go ahead and use the name. [1] The two started wearing identical outfits and develop the ”Fun loving pretty boy” gimmick they’d be known for through out their time together. After wrestling on the lower end of the card to get the fans familiar with the team the Midnight Rockers soon moved onto a feud with the team of Doug Somers and Buddy Rose who at the time were one of the top teams in the promotion. "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers was best known for his stint in the American Wrestling Association (AWA in the mid 1980's as part of a tag team with "Playboy" Paul Perschmann [3] Their initial outing with Somers and Rose at the WrestleRock stadium show on April 20, 1986 did not go well for Jannetty and Michaels who lost in front of 22,000 fans. WrestleRock was a Wrestling event promoted by the American Wrestling Association. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) [4] When Somers and Rose beat Scott Hall and Curt Hennig for the AWA World Tag Team Championship the Midnight Rockers suddenly found themselves chasing the main tag team title of the promotion. Scott Oliver Hall (born October 20, 1958 In WCW he was a 2-time United States Heavyweight Champion, a 1-time Television Curtis Michael "Curt" Hennig – February 10 2003 also known by the Ring name Mr The American Wrestling Association (AWA World Tag Team Championship was the Tag team title for the American Wrestling Association from 1960 until the promotion folded The Midnight Rockers teamed up with Curt Hennig to defeate Somer, Rose and Alexis Smirnoff at ”Battle by the Bay” on June 28, 1986 to prove that they were indeed capable of beating the champions. Curtis Michael "Curt" Hennig – February 10 2003 also known by the Ring name Mr Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) [5] The Midnight Rockers would repeatedly challenge Somers through out the rest of 1986 but never quite be able to get the win when the titles were on the line. Finally near the end of that year the Midnight Rockers finally started to show that they were gaining the upper hand in the feud. Jannetty and Michaels defeated the champions in a ”non-title” Steel cage match on December 25, 1986 on the AWA’s ”Brawl in St. Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Paul” show. [6] Finally on January 27, 1987 the Midnight Rockers defeated Rose and Somers for the AWA Tag Team title. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) [2] The brutal feud with Somers and Rose and winning the AWA tag team titles got the Midnight Rockers noticed by both wrestling fans and promoters all over the world. Jannetty and Michaels realized that the AWA was a promotion in decline, in fact it would shut down completely by 1990, and they decided that their best bet was to work for the World Wrestling Federation. The Midnight Rockers got an offer from Vince McMahon while holding the AWA Tag Titles. Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr . The Midnight Rockers even signed with the WWF while still holding the gold, necessitating the quick title change to the unproven duo of Boris Zhukov and Soldat Ustinov on May 25, 1987. Jim Barrell (born December 13 1959) is an American professional wrestler best known as Boris Zhukov (sometimes spelled Boris Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) [2]
The team made their first WWF appearance only 5 days after dropping the AWA Tag Team titles at a house show in St. Paul, MN where they challenged the then WWF World Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation for a title match. A house show is a short Professional wrestling show run by a major promotion (such as WWE or TNA) that is not televised or taped Saint Paul ( abbreviated St Paul) is the capital and second most populous city in the U The World Tag Team Championship is a Professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. This article is about the Hart Foundation in professional wrestling [7] Four days later the Midnight Rockers wrestled at their first TV taping for the show WWF Wrestling Challenge defeating the team of Jose Estrada, Sr. and Jimmy Jack Funk. WWF Wrestling Challenge was a syndicated weekly World Wrestling Federation show that aired from 1986 to 1996. Jose Estrada Sr is a semi-retired Puerto Rican professional wrestler who was a longtime mainstay of the World Wrestling Council as well as having stints in North American Ferrin Barr Jr, better known as Jesse Barr, is an American former professional wrestler best known for his performances in the 1980s under his own [8] This match was their one and only taped appearance for the WWF as they were fired after only a few short weeks with the federation. The team was fired because of excessive partying and not enough focusing on their in ring work. [3]
After being fired by the WWF, they went down to Continental Wrestling around Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. According to Shawn and Marty on the Heartbreak and Triumph DVD, Shawn wasn't happy over there. When Bob Armstrong took over the booking, they gave them two week notice that they're no longer needed and bringing in another tag team. Joseph James (born October 3,1937 is an American professional wrestler, better known by his Ring name, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong They said, "They don't need two weeks, they're leaving," and headed up to Memphis.
After the way they had left the AWA Michaels and Jannetty could not just return like nothing had happened, instead the Midnight Rockers started working for the AWA affiliated Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, TN. The Continental Wrestling Association (later on “Championship Wrestling Association” was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. The team had made a couple of appearances in the CWA in the past as part of their working agreement with the AWA but now they were in Memphis full time. Their first feud in Memphis was against a recently formed team known as The Nasty Boys (Jerry Sags and Brian Knobbs) whom they faced in several brutal matches all over the CWA territory. The Nasty Boys were a Professional wrestling Tag team consisting of Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags, active in the mid to late 1980s and throughout Jerome Saganovich *PWI ranked him # 420 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003 *PWI ranked him # 53 of the Brian Yandrisovitz The Nastys have not returned to a WWE ring since [3] After the Nasty Boys the Rockers got involved in a feud with “The Nightmares” (Danny Davis and Ken Wayne). "Danny Davis" is also used in wrestling by heel Referee Danny Davis (Dan Marsh in the World Wrestling Federation. [9] During their time in the CWA Shawn and Marty turned heel (Bad guys) for the first time in both of their careers as they attacked the team of Rock 'n' Roll RPMs (Tommy Lane and Mike Davis. In Professional wrestling, a heel is a Villain character In non-wrestling jargon heels are the "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. Michael Davis ( November 2, 1956 – December 26, 2001) was an American Professional wrestler best known as DJ of ) Their heel personas were that of self obsessed, glory seeking ”superstars”, the same persona Shawn Michaels would later adopt as ”The Hearbreak Kid”. [1] Their feud with the RPMs saw the Midnight Rockers defeat Lane and Davis to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship on October 26, 1987. The AWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a Professional wrestling Tag team title in the Tennessee area from the 1940s through the late 1980s Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Jannetty and Michaels lost then regained the Southern Tag Team titles as the Midnight Rockers / RPMs feud raged on. [2]. With their success in Memphis the AWA started to book them as well having the Midnight Rockers split their time between Memphis and the AWA territory – in Memphis the Midnight Rockers were heels but in the AWA they were faces (good guys), something which was possible before the advent of national television deals and easy internet access. In Professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as Heroic relative to the heel wrestlers who are analogous to villains [1] On December 27, 1987 The Midnight Rockers defeated The Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose) for the AWA World Tag Team titles. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The Midnight Express is a Professional wrestling Tag team that has had various members and achieved most of its success in the 1980s "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey (born February 1, 1952 in Florence Alabama) is a Professional wrestler, best known as being one half "Ravishing" Randy Rose (born July 19, 1956 in Nashville Tennessee) is a professional wrestler Since they had won the world titles Jannetty and Michaels were forced to vacate the AWA Southern Tag titles in January 1988. [2] While in the CWA, they had a brief feud with The Rock 'n' Roll Express over the AWA World Tag Team titles. The Rock 'n' Roll Express was a Professional wrestling tag team comprised of Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson that was popular in the 1980s After a short while in the AWA Jannetty and Michaels began asking for more money and a guaranteed contract from owner Verne Gagne. When this request was denied the Midnight Rockers quit the AWA without having found another promotion to work for. [1] Before they left the promotion they lost the AWA Tag Team Championship to Badd Company (Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond). Badd Company was a Professional wrestling tag team in the American Wrestling Association in the late 1980s which later went by the name The Orient Express Patrick "Pat" Tanaka (born August 5, 1963 in Honolulu Hawaii) is a semi-retired American Professional wrestler best known [2]
Shortly after leaving the AWA, Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels were contacted by WWF owner Vince McMahon informing them that he was willing to bring them back if they were able to be more professional this time round. [1] By the end of May the team was working for the WWF under the shortened name The Rockers. [10] They officially made their television debut on the June 18, 1988 version of WWF Superstars of Wrestling in a squash match. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) WWF Superstars of Wrestling was a Professional wrestling program that debuted on September 6, 1986 and was aired until 2001. In Professional wrestling, a squash is an extremely short match in which one performer is booked as defeating another easily and quickly not out of luck but due to his overwhelming [11]
The Rockers made their pay-per-view (PPV) debut at Survivor Series 1988 as part of the 10 team tag match. Pay-per-view (often abbreviated PPV) is the system in which Television viewers can purchase events to be seen on TV and pay for the private telecast of that event Survivor Series (1988 was the second annual Survivor Series Pay-per-view Professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation They eliminated The Bolsheviks from the match before being eliminated by a double-disqualifcation in a brawl with the Brain Busters. The Bolsheviks were a Professional wrestling Tag team in the World Wrestling Federation from late 1987 until the spring of 1990 Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, known as members of the Four Horsemen, were a Professional wrestling tag team in the 1980s [12] The brawl between the Rockers and the Brain Busters led to a match taped for WWF Superstars of Wrestling where both teams were disqualified once again, this time before the match could really start. WWF Superstars of Wrestling was a Professional wrestling program that debuted on September 6, 1986 and was aired until 2001. [13] This led to a series of house show matches between the two teams, a series of matches that drew rave reviews from the fans. A house show is a short Professional wrestling show run by a major promotion (such as WWE or TNA) that is not televised or taped [12]
One match in particular on January 23, 1989 was rated as one of the 50 greatest matches in the PWI 10th year anniversary issue. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI) is a Professional wrestling Magazine. The match saw the Brain Busters narrowly defeat the Rockers as Anderson held down Marty Jannetty's leg as Blanchard pinned him. [14] The feud continued to rage on as they clashed on Saturday Night Main Event on March 11, 1989 in a match that saw both teams counted out for brawling on the floor. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) [15]
In the spring of 1989, the Rockers started a storyline with The Fabulous Rougeaus that kicked off with an underhanded attack on Shawn Michaels during a match. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers was the tag team of real-life brothers Jacques Rougeau & Raymond Rougeau, best known from their run in the WWF from 1985 - 1990 The Rougeaus assaulted Shawn with manager Jimmy Hart’s megaphone and drew blood. Jimmy Ray Hart Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards * Manager of the Year in 1983 * Best Interviews [16] This storyline put the Rockers issues with the Brain Busters on the back burners while the Rockers and the Rougeaus fought. The issue between the Rockers and Rougeaus was the storyline reason for introducing the “Iron Man match” to the WWF. An Iron Man match is a Professional wrestling match type that is set to go a specific amount of time usually 30 or 60 minutes with the competitor with the most decisions [17] Despite wrestling 5 Iron Man matches against each other none of the matches were ever televised or released on a commercial tape. [17][18][19][20] On August 28, 1989 the Rockers/Rougeau feud made it to PPV as the Rougeaus teamed with Rick Martel to defeat the Rockers and Tito Santana at Summerslam. Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Rick Martel (born Richard Vigneault on March 18 1956) is a French-Canadian former professional wrestler, best known for his appearances Merced Solis (born May 10 1953) better known by his Ring name Tito Santana, is a retired Mexican American professional SummerSlam is an annual Professional wrestling Pay-per-view (PPV event held in August by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE [12]
In late 1989, the Rockers and the Brain Busters reignited their feud after the Brain Busters lost the WWF Tag Team Championship. The World Tag Team Championship is a Professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. On November 23, 1989 the Rockers faced off one half of the Brain Busters’ (Arn Anderson as part of the 4 on 4 elimination matches at Survivor Series 1989. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Martin Anthony Lunde (born September 20 1958) better known by his Ring name Arn Anderson, is a former American professional wrestler Survivor Series (1989 was the third annual Survivor Series Professional wrestling Pay-per-view Professional wrestling event produced by Prior to the match Anderson’s partner Tully Blanchard had failed a drug test and was fired forcing manager Bobby Heenan to wrestle in his place. Tully Blanchard (born January 22, 1954 in San Antonio Texas) is a retired second generation American professional wrestler. Raymond Louis Heenan (born November 1, 1944) better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, is a former American Professional [12] The Rockers and the Brain Busters had one last match on Saturday Night Main Event November 25, 1989 (taped October 31, 1989) where they defeated the Brain Busters 2 falls to 1. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) After the match Bobby Heenan fired the team in a backstage segment to explain why the team disappeared from the WWF. [21]
In 1990, the Rockers faced new competition in the form of Pat Tanaka and Akio Sato, the newly signed team known as The Orient Express. Patrick "Pat" Tanaka (born August 5, 1963 in Honolulu Hawaii) is a semi-retired American Professional wrestler best known Akio Sato may refer to Akio Sato (wrestler Akio Sato (politician For the full article on Badd Company see Badd Company The Orient Express was a Professional wrestling tag team in the World Wrestling Federation The two teams kicked off a prolonged feud that started at WrestleMania VI[22] and continued off and on for well over a year[23]. WrestleMania VI was the World Wrestling Federation 's (WWF sixth WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event and the first to When Akio Sato decided leave the US wrestling scene late in 1990 the WWF decided team Tanaka up with Paul Diamond under a mask. Tanaka and Diamond had previously teamed as Badd Company and won the AWA Tag Team Championship from the Rockers. Badd Company was a Professional wrestling tag team in the American Wrestling Association in the late 1980s which later went by the name The Orient Express The Rockers and the Orient Express had a high profile, high flying match at the 1991 Royal Rumble [24]
By current WWE records, The Rockers never officially held held the WWF World Tag Team Championship[25] but on October 30, 1990 Jannetty and Michaels did actually defeat the reigning champions The Hart Foundation in a two out of three falls match to seemingly win the titles. Royal Rumble (1991 was the fourth annual Royal Rumble Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the Hart Foundation in professional wrestling On-and-off in the past, the WWE (WWF) has officially recognized The Rockers' champion status, though the current WWE position is to not credit Jannetty and Michaels with the title win. During the match the top rope broke by accident making the match a disjointed affair that would require serious clean up before it could be shown on TV. [26] The Rockers defended the WWF Tag Team title against Power and Glory (Paul Roma and Hercules) on November 3, 1990. Power & Glory was a tag-team in the World Wrestling Federation that existed from 1990 to 1991 Paul Roma (born Paul Centopani April 29 1960 is a Professional wrestler who is most known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Raymond Fernandez ( May 7, 1956 - March 6, 2004) was a professional wrestler who primarily wrestled in Florida and Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) [27] Shortly after November 3rd it was decided to not air the title change and that the titles would revert to the Hart Foundation. In his book Shawn Michaels claims that the Hart Foundation had politicked to keep the titles. [1] Michaels claim is contradicted by other claims that the WWF had actually fired Jim Neidhart forcing the title change but after the match the two sides came to an agreement and Neidhart was brought back. James Henry "Jim" Neidhart (born August 2, 1956) Neidhart pursued a career in the National Football League, where he played briefly for the [3] Whatever the reason the Rockers were never officially credited with a title win but footage from the match was shown prior to Marty Jannetty’s WWF return in 1995. [26] The match can be seen in its entirety on the 'Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak and Triumph' DVD. Because it never aired, the match was not clipped and thus is shown in full with no commentary; the only edit being after the second fall when a ring crew arrived to reattach the broken rope.
After teaming together since 1985 the Rockers split up by the end of 1991 after backstage disputes. The exact nature of the dispute has not been confirmed by the WWF (now WWE) other than it was a monetary issue that lead to Marty Jannetty quitting the WWF on behalf of both Rockers. [3] According to Shawn Michaels book Jannetty had claimed that Jim Crockett Promotions were willing to give them a very high guaranteed contract but when Michaels inquired about it turned out to be an exaggeration. Jim Crockett Promotions was a Professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett Jr Since Michaels needed to support his family he told Vince McMahon he was not interested in quitting the company. After cooler heads prevailed it was decided that the Rockers should split with Shawn Michaels turning heel to feud with Marty Jannetty. In Professional wrestling, a heel is a Villain character In non-wrestling jargon heels are the "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. Jannetty was not happy about the team splitting while Michaels couldn’t wait to work as a singles wrestler. [1]
On screen there was no mention of what went on backstage, instead Michaels and Jannetty started to show signs of dissention. During a singles match between Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair, Marty Jannetty rolled Shawn into the ring to get pinned. Richard Morgan Fliehr According to WWE and PWI Flair is an eight-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA Champion, six-time WCW Champion Michaels took this as Jannetty costing him the match instead of helping out (this was of course a storyline). In Professional wrestling, kayfabe (ˈkeɪfeɪb KAY-fayb) refers to the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" that is the portrayal of professional [28] At the 1991 Survivor Series Jannetty caused Shawn Michaels to be eliminated by accidentally slamming one of the Nasty Boys into him after which the Rockers argued. Survivor Series (1991 was the fifth annual Survivor Series Pay-per-view Professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation The Nasty Boys were a Professional wrestling Tag team consisting of Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags, active in the mid to late 1980s and throughout [29] After the build up the Rockers wrestled one last match on television, a title shot at The Legion of Doom which the Rockers lost after which Jannetty and Michaels argued over who was to blame. The Road Warriors were a Professional wrestling Tag team famously composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis [30]
A DVD extra on Heartbreak And Triumph titled The Rockers "Fight" reveals that they got into a legit fight on an unknown date that was instigated by Roddy Piper. Roderick George Toombs (born April 17, 1954) Career After being expelled from junior high and having a falling out with his father Piper hit the The story, told by Jannetty, reveals that police were called to the scene and arrested Jannetty. As they were arresting him though, Randy Savage stepped in and prevented him from going to jail by telling the police that it was all part of a storyline even though in reality he didn't know the cause of the fight in the first place. Randall Mario Poffo (born November 15 1952) a 1 time Intercontinental Champion He is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School Michaels almost quit the WWF over the incident, and Jannetty believes that this incident was one of the factors in the WWE's decision to break up the Rockers.
The final spilt came on Brutus Beefcake’s "Barbershop" (taped on December 2, 1991 shown on January 12, 1992) where Beefcake interviewed the Rockers about their recent problems. Edward Harrison Leslie (born April 21 1957) is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) After seemingly working their problems out Shawn Michaels suddenly blasted Jannetty with a thrust kick and then threw him through the glass window on the set. [31] Michaels also preceded to rip a full page picture of the group in half, signifying the separation. The turn had the desired effect of making Shawn a hated heel (bad guy) especially since the WWF agreed to let Marty Jannetty "blade" (make himself bleed) after being thrown through the window, something which wasn’t very prevalent in 1991. It also prevented Jannetty from entering the Royal Rumble in 1992. [1]
Michaels and Jannetty were supposed to feud following the break up but Jannetty left the federation for personal reasons forcing the feud to be abandoned at least temporarily. While Jannetty was away Shawn Michaels began developing his “Heartbreak Kid” heel persona including getting Sherri Martel as his manager. Sherri Schrull (born Sherri Russell) ( February 8 1958 – June 15 2007) was an American professional wrestler Michaels also won the WWF Intercontinental Championship from The British Bulldog. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Intercontinental Championship is a Professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. The British Bulldog redirects here for other uses see British Bulldog. [12] On the October 31, 1992 edition of WWF Superstars, Michaels was in the ring posing before facing some jobber, admiring himself in a mirror that Sherri held up. In professional wrestling slang, the term job describes a losing performance in a wrestling match To everyone’s surprise Marty Jannetty came down through the crowd and entered the ring. Jannetty attacked Michaels, grabbed the mirror and tried to hit Michaels with it. But instead the cowardly Michaels pulled Sherri in front of himself so that she got hit with the mirror instead. [32] This led to Sherri being hospitalized from the glass shards (only in storyline terms) when Sherri returned from her “recovery” she turned on Michaels and actually backed Jannetty in his unsuccessful attempt to take the Intercontinental title away from Michaels at the Royal Rumble 1993. Royal Rumble (1993 was the sixth annual Royal Rumble Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation After the loss, Jannetty once again left the WWF.
During an episode of Monday Night Raw on May 17, 1993, Marty Jannetty returned to the WWF during an impromptu challenge. This article is about the television program You may be looking for the 1994 video game or the 2002 video game WWE Raw is Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) [33] Jannetty defeated Shawn Michaels to win the title (with the help of Mr. Perfect). Curtis Michael "Curt" Hennig – February 10 2003 also known by the Ring name Mr [34] Three weeks later Jannetty lost the title back to Shawn Michaels in an untelevised house show thanks to the interference of Michaels’ new bodyguard Diesel. Kevin Scott Nash (born July 9 1959 is an American professional wrestler and Actor. [12][35] After losing the title the Michaels/Jannetty feud petered out with Michaels focusing on other title challengers while Jannetty wrestled on the mid-card. [36][37]
| The New Rockers | |
| Tag Team | |
|---|---|
| Members | Marty Jannetty Leif Cassidy |
| Heights | Marty: 5 ft 10 in (1. This article refers to the band For the wrestling term see Tag team. Frederick Marty Jannetty The next week on the 15th anniversary of Raw, Jannetty appeared along with Michaels in an interview Allen Ray Sarven (born July 18 1963) is a professional wrestler and Actor better known by his Ring name of Al Snow 78 m) Leif: 6 ft 2 in (1. 88 m) |
| Combined weight | 468 lb (212 kg/33. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass 4 st) |
| Debut | February 20, 1996[38] |
| Disbanded | December 16, 1996[39] |
| Promotions | WWF |
In 1995, Marty Jannetty returned to the WWF and initially worked in the singles division. The stone is a unit of Weight. It is part of the Imperial system of weights and measures used in the British Isles, and formerly used in most Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, In early 1996, Jannetty was introduced to Al Snow and told that he would be his new partner as the New Rockers. Allen Ray Sarven (born July 18 1963) is a professional wrestler and Actor better known by his Ring name of Al Snow The idea was initially going to be a more or less straight up return to the Rockers gimmick, but the decision was soon made to turn them more "silly" according to Marty Jannetty in the book The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. [40] They were told that the idea was for them to be like watching the 1960s television show The Monkees, complete with Al Snow being named "Leif Cassidy" as a play off 1970s idols David Cassidy and Leif Garrett. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 For the group's self-titled album see The Monkees (album. For the TV series see The Monkees (TV series. David Bruce Cassidy (born April 12, 1950) is an American prolific character actor of stage Singer and Guitarist. Leif Garrett (born Leif Per Nervik on November 8, 1961) is an American Singer and Actor of Norwegian descent Going against his better judgment, Jannetty agreed to it, if nothing else than to help Snow out, who was trying to find a bankable gimmick. Jannetty was later informed that former partner Shawn Michaels had been the one to suggest the change in the gimmick. [40]
The team was never seriously pushed in the WWF making only a couple of low card PPV appearances before Jannetty decided to leave the WWF in late 1996.
On the SmackDown! shown on March 10, 2005 (taped 2 days earlier) Kurt Angle announced that as part of his preparation for his WrestleMania 21 against Shawn Michaels he would face Michaels old partner Marty Jannetty on the following Smackdown. WWE Friday Night SmackDown is a Professional wrestling Television program for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE that is currently airing Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9 1968 is an American professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment [41] The following Monday (March 14, 2005) Jannetty made a surprise appearance on WWE Raw and for one night the Rockers reunited to take on La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and Rob Conway). Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article is about the television program You may be looking for the 1994 video game or the 2002 video game WWE Raw is The French Resistance is the collective name used for the French Resistance movements which fought against the Nazi German Sylvain Grenier, (born March 26, 1977) Independent Circuit & Life Beyond Wrestling (2007-present On the September 5, 2007 Jannetty got the win with the "Rocker Dropper" after Shawn Michaels hit ”Sweet Chin Music”on Grenier. [12][42] Three days later on Smackdown Angle had promised to make Jannetty ”tap out”, just like he was going to make Shawn Michaels tap out at WrestleMania XXI. On the night Angle made good on his promise and forced Jannetty to submit to his ankle lock submission hold, but only after a nearly twenty minute match and an impressive showing for Jannetty which saw him nearly pin the Olympic champion. Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission. [43] After two good showings on Raw and Smackdown to convince the WWE that he was still a very talented performer and signed him to a contract. [44] Due to a domestic incident, Jannetty was arrested and thus unable to meet the commitments of his WWE contract, which lead to him being released from his contract by July 6, 2005. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [45]
On the February 20, 2006 edition of WWE RAW, Shawn Michaels was pitted against four of the five members of the Spirit Squad in their in-ring debut. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Spirit Squad was a five member stable who wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand, as well as in developmental territory After he had connected with "Sweet Chin Music", Michaels was attacked by all five members until an unknown man came storming in to the ring to defend Michaels. During the melee, it was revealed that it was Marty Jannetty coming to defend his former tag team partner. [12][46] Later on RAW, Vince McMahon came out to mention that he would offer Jannetty a full-time contract. However, Mr. McMahon added a stipulation - Jannetty had to join Mr. McMahon's "Kiss My Ass Club" the following week on RAW. [47] On Raw Jannetty refused to kiss Mr. McMahon’s ass. McMahon instead offered Jannetty the possibility of breaking Chris Masters' signature submission hold, the Master Lock. Chris Mordetzky (born January 8 1983 showed promo style introductory videos outlining him as The Masterpiece, touting him as having a body so perfect it would appear Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission. Jannetty appeared to almost break the hold, but Mr. McMahon (who was officiating) delivered a low blow, and Jannetty was never able to break it, only being released when Michaels ran in to save him. Shortly after Michaels had saved Jannetty, Shane McMahon ran in the ring with a steel chair and knocked out Michaels. Shane Brandon McMahon (born January 15 1970 Shane has served as Executive Vice President of WWE Global Media overseeing International Television Distribution Live Event bookings [48] The former Rockers were supposed to continue a program with the McMahons, but Jannetty was absent from the next edition of RAW which meant that they had to rewrite the angle leaving Jannetty out of it.
In December 2007, Michaels began feuding with Mr. Kennedy. Kenneth Anderson (born March 6 1976 in Minneapolis Minnesota) is an American professional wrestler and Actor, better known by his Ring Kennedy was set to face off against Jannetty at the RAW 15th Anniversary Show. Kennedy won the match, but continued beating down Jannetty. Michaels then came out to save his former partner from a beating. Before Michaels had a chance to get in the first punch, Kennedy quickly realized Michaels and started an assult on "The Heartbreak Kid. "