10 Wrestling Moves More Dangerous Than You Realise
3. Rocker Dropper
Marty Jannetty succeeded alongside Shawn Michaels in the Rockers for the sole reason that this alliance highlighted their strengths and hid their weaknesses; the weakness in this example was Jannetty himself. The Rockers were designed to raise 'HBK' from the off.
Where Marty Jannetty lacked in talent, though, he made up for in a fearsome finisher. A take on the Famouser, Jannetty applied a wristlock and rested his leg on the bent-over opponent's neck before implanting their face across the mat. It was a standard procedure, really, but one slight miscommunication, and disaster can strike.
Case in point, 11 December 1990.
Prior to a Superstars taping, the Rockers united to fight the Genius and enhancement talent Charles Austin. Austin, lacking the appropriate training and receiving only 150 American dollars for his performance, was left paralysed with a broken neck after taking the Rocker Dropper. Austin subsequently sued both Jannetty and the company in 1994, receiving an out-of-court settlement for $10 million. This was a hefty $16.7 million less than what was originally owed; the sports entertainment beast appealed the judge's decision.
By that year, the Rockers were done, Marty Jannetty was out of a job, and Billy Gun was nearing adopting the move for himself, sans wristlock. Needless to say, the move was in better care under his guidance.