10 Wrestling Legends Whose WWE Returns Hurt Their Legacy
7. Marty Jannetty
The Rockers are rightly regarded as a revolutionary tag team. Together, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty’s athleticism and charisma drew great interest in the Central States territory, and their work in AWA and CWA quickly captured WWE’s attention. Their run and eventual breakup laid the foundations for Michaels’ legendary WWE career, but there’s a reason Jannetty’s name is now used as a buzzword for “the other guy” in a tag team.
Jannetty just wasn’t built for singles stardom. He was a competent wrestler, but completely outclassed by his partner in every department, and was largely used as a transitional Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion following their split. His WWE career looked to be over in 1996, but no: Jannetty couldn’t stay out of the business, and he resurfaced again in 2005.
Shawn and Marty briefly reunited The Rockers for a tag match against La Resistance, but WWE were so impressed by Jannetty that they offered him a full-time contract. His in-ring performances were up to scratch, but an undisclosed domestic incident led to his arrest, and he was released again.
He came back in 2006, and that’s when Jannetty reached true embarrassment. Forced to become a member of Vince McMahon’s “Kiss My Ass Club”, his credibility took a nosedive, and he was soon fired for no-showing a live event. Jannetty would make a handful of further appearances for WWE over the following years, but his legacy had been irreparably damaged.