The Rockers were one of the most exciting tag teams in the late 80s and early 90s. Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty has come to the WWF after a successful run in the AWA, modelling their look after the hugely successful Rock n Roll Express in the NWA. They had legions of fans, especially teenage girls, and wowed others with their fast paced, high flying attack. However, they never (officially) won the WWF World Tag Team titles. By 1991, there were legitimate cracks in their off-screen working relationship, including a fight between the two in a hotel bar where police were called, and a situation where one blamed the other over initiating talks when they received an offer to jump ship to WCW. Eventually, the decision was made to split the team up and for them to pursue careers as singles wrestlers. On screen, cracks in the team also began to show. At the 1991 Survivor Series, a mistake by Jannetty caused Michaels to be eliminated. A month later, the pair lost a World Tag Team title match against The Legion of Doom, and argued among themselves over who was to blame, a storyline reflection of the real life WCW situation. In January 1992, on Brutus Beefcakes Barber Shop interview segment, the host called a summit between Michaels and Jannetty. Michaels heel turn was telegraphed to a degree by the fact that he was dressed all in black. Jannetty said that hed turn his back and if Michaels was still there when he turned around again, then The Rockers were still together. Jannetty turned his back, turned around again and Michaels was still there. The two embraced, and then Michaels superkicked his partner, before throwing him through the plate glass window of the Barber Shop set. Jannetty was bleeding from the forehead after accidentally catching his head on a metal pole supporting the set that was behind the window. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsvUNQyWFhw The two feuded briefly but the program was cut short when Jannetty was suspended due to substance issues. He did make a surprise return, capturing the Intercontinental championship from Michaels in 1993. However, this was the angle that started Michaels off as a singles wrestler and as a heel, a role that he flourished in. Michaels went on to become one of the top drawing stars and greatest wrestlers of his generation, and it all started with that superkick on The Barber Shop.
6. The Freebirds Slam The Cage Door On Kerry Von Erich (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziLr67JY16c In the early to mid 80s, World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas was THE hottest territory in the business. Transmitted around various countries in the world as well as in the USA, its innovative style of presentation and new, young stars really captured the imagination of the fans. The Fabulous Freebirds of Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts, arrived in World Class in 1982 and quickly became major babyfaces. In fact, Hayes popularity was surpassed only by the Von Erich boys, Texas natives whose father ran the promotion. In 1982, heel World Champion Ric Flair (see why hes such a huge figure in history, he keeps popping up in all of these huge angles) had barely squeaked by in his World title defences in World Class through illegal means and even a corrupt referee. The promotions top star, Kerry Von Erich, had been granted a rematch for the title on the night of Christmas Day 182. It was to take place inside a steel cage to prevent any outside interference. A write-in vote (this was the 80s after all) by the fans selected Hayes to be special guest referee, and Gordy was to guard the door to prevent anyone entering the cage. During the match, Hayes lost his temper over Flairs shenanigans, after trying to prise Flair off Von Erich while they were tangled in the ropes. Hayes punched Flair, knocking him to the ground and urged Von Erich to cover him for the pin. But Von Erich, ever the sportsman, refused to pin him under the circumstances. Telling Gordy to open the door, Hayes left the cage and Von Erich protested. Flair then kneed Von Erich in the back, sending him sprawling in the ropes. At this point, Gordy slammed the hard steel edge of the cage door onto Von Erichs head. A few minutes later, Von Erich delivered his discus punch on Flair but then collapsed. The second referee in the match, David Manning, called an end to the match with Von Erich unable to continue. The Freebirds had cost Kerry the World title. This set the scene for a hugely profitable, famous and long running feud between The Von Erichs and The Freebirds that really put World Class on the map. The slamming of the cage door has been imitated countless times in countless promotions, but has never been duplicated. This was the original and the best.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
