Marty Jannetty, once a celebrated name in the 80s and 90s wrestling scene, has become a tragic figure in the wrestling world. His story, a complex tapestry of raw talent, personal struggles, and outlandish claims, has played out both in the wrestling ring and on social media, leaving fans and colleagues perplexed and concerned.
Early Life and Wrestling Career
Born in 1960, Jannetty’s childhood was marked by instability. Raised by his grandmother, he endured the trauma of sexual abuse at the hands of a family friend. Wrestling became his refuge, a path to both solace and success. He began his career in 1983, training with Jerry Oates. He wrestled for Mid-South Wrestling and Southeastern Championship Wrestling before joining the National Wrestling Alliance in 1984.
1984-1986: Central States Wrestling (CSW)
In Central States Wrestling, Jannetty first teamed with Shawn Michaels in 1985, forming The Midnight Rockers. They quickly captured the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship and gained popularity for their high-flying style. Jannetty even challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship during this period, showcasing his ambition and potential.
1986-1988: American Wrestling Association (AWA)
The Rockers’ success continued in the AWA, where they won the World Tag Team Championship twice and the Southern Tag Team Championship twice. Their exciting matches and innovative offense solidified their status as one of the top tag teams in the industry.
1987, 1988-1996: The WWF Years – Highs and Lows
Jannetty’s time in the WWF (now WWE) was a rollercoaster ride. His undeniable talent was often overshadowed by personal struggles and erratic behavior.
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1987: The Rockers’ First Signing and Firing
The Rockers were first signed to the WWF in 1987 but were fired after two weeks. The story goes that after a night of heavy drinking with Jimmy Jack Funk, a rumor spread that Michaels and Jannetty trashed the bar, leading to their dismissal. As Michaels recalled in his DVD “Heartbreak & Triumph”:
“Finally, I grabbed a glass that was sitting on the table and I broke it on my head and said, ‘There! You satisfied?’ And I left.”
Jannetty also recounted the incident on the same DVD:
“They called me and said, ‘Marty, we’ve got to let you go.’ He said, ‘Evidently, the story got blown out of proportion and Mr. McMahon thinks it’s best to let you guys go.’”
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1988-1992: Return and Departure
The Rockers returned to the WWF in 1990, reaching new heights of popularity. However, Jannetty’s struggles with substance abuse and reliability led to his departure in 1992.
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1993-1996: Short-Lived Comebacks
Jannetty made several brief comebacks throughout the mid-90s. He even won the Intercontinental Championship from Shawn Michaels in a memorable RAW moment. However, his inability to maintain a stable lifestyle led to repeated releases.
1995: Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
During one of his breaks from the WWF, Jannetty wrestled for ECW in 1995, facing top stars like Shane Douglas, Eddie Guerrero, and The Sandman.
1996-2004: Independent Circuit and WCW
After his final departure from the WWF in 1996, Jannetty wrestled for various independent promotions. He also had a brief stint in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1998, facing notable opponents like Chris Benoit, Raven, and Konnan.
2005-2009: WWE Returns and The Rockers Reunion
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2005: The Rockers Reunion and Match with Kurt Angle
Jannetty returned to WWE in 2005, reuniting with Shawn Michaels for a one-off match against La Résistance. He also had a competitive match with Kurt Angle, showcasing his enduring in-ring skills. However, his return was marred by personal and behavioral issues, leading to his release.
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2006-2007: Sporadic Appearances
Jannetty made further appearances for WWE in 2006 and 2007, primarily on their developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). These returns were also short-lived.
2011-2013: Chikara
Jannetty continued to wrestle on the independent circuit, notably working for Chikara from 2011 to 2013. He even teamed with the 1-2-3 Kid (Sean Waltman) to win the 2012 King of Trios tournament.
Personal Struggles, Bizarre Claims, and Health Issues
Throughout his career, Jannetty battled substance abuse and personal demons. In the “Dark Side of the Ring: Unheard” podcast, Jannetty spoke candidly about his struggles with addiction, particularly cocaine, and how it affected his relationship with Shawn Michaels:
“I’d go over one of the days we’d have off, I’d go over and we’d sit and do cocaine and watch, you know, we did a lot of film study, and we’re still at that point. We’d watch hours of wrestling, write notes and talk about stuff and do some cocaine… and then, you know, about four or five in the mornings, so the sun’s gonna be coming up. My girlfriends, you know, after we did that several nights, and she’s like, I don’t like, you can’t. Just gotta stop leaving me alone. You’re on the road all the time, and now when you’re home, you’re over there with Sean. I’m never, you know, you can’t do it. So, I mean, I would have to leave him about three or four in the morning, usually whenever the cocaine ran out. And he used to hate it. He told me one time he was man, I just sat there wish I had a gun.”
He also recounted a chaotic experience leading up to WrestleMania VI, highlighting his lack of accountability:
“And you know, as seemed to be the case of every damn WrestleMania got hammered, but accidentally that time. I mean, other times were on purpose. But I ended up with some girl that morning when I woke up, she had left me a note she had to go to work or something. It was a note on the table, you know, saying I had to go to work, I wouldn’t be back, but I’m gonna know where the hell I’m at, and it’s, you know, it’s 11:30 – 12. I gotta be at the damn skydome about one… some girls at the hotel… I think I rode with them once I got the hotel now, jumped in with them, and something went wrong with the girl’s car. Waited her in something we broke down the side of the road. Man, God, I panicked. Man, I’m gonna be late for Wrestlemania. What the hell it is? I can’t remember exactly who is somebody else. I’m on the side of the road with the car. I think steam was shooting on the radio or something, and somebody goes by his margin. Eddie, hey, give me a ride, because they were heading that one direction. I jumped the car with them and went to the hoping. I mean, because my bag wasn’t there, I’m hoping, you know, Sean brought it.”
In recent years, he has made headlines for bizarre claims on social media, including a confession to a murder in the 1970s, which he later attributed to a wrestling storyline.
Jannetty has also faced significant health challenges, including a severely injured ankle that has plagued him for years. In 2024, he shared that his ankle issues might lead to amputation.
A Tragic Figure
Marty Jannetty’s story is a cautionary tale of talent squandered and personal demons. His legacy, once defined by electrifying wrestling performances, is now overshadowed by controversy and instability. As fans and colleagues grapple with his disturbing claims and erratic behavior, the future remains uncertain for this once-beloved wrestler.
