WWF Tag Team Battles: Demolition vs The Rockers [Videos]

When The Rockers exploded onto the WWF scene in the summer of 1988, the high-flying duo of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty instantly brought a new level of speed, athleticism, and excitement to the tag team division. Officially debuting in June, the energetic newcomers wasted little time making their presence felt. Within just a few months, they were already stepping into the ring with Demolition—the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions and one of the most dominant, intimidating teams of the era.

It was a daunting early test. Demolition, the destructive pairing of Ax and Smash, had built their reputation through raw power, relentless aggression, and an iron grip on the championship. In stark contrast, the Rockers relied on lightning-fast double-team offense, aerial attacks, and nonstop momentum, embodying a completely different vision of tag team wrestling.

This collection of videos captures that thrilling early chapter of the Rockers’ WWF run. It begins with their first two television matches, which introduced fans to their electrifying style, followed by a promo in which the Rockers address the challenge of facing Demolition. The journey culminates at the legendary Madison Square Garden, where the rising contenders squared off with the champions in a memorable clash that perfectly showcased the battle between speed and power.

For a team only months into their WWF journey, the Rockers were already proving they belonged on wrestling’s biggest stage.

The Rockers vs Steve Lombardi & Terry Gibbs

WWF Wrestling Challenge

Aired June 1988

Fresno, California, USA

Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan

The Rockers vs Iron Mike Sharpe & The Intruder

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Aired June 1988

Oakland, California, USA

Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jesse Ventura

The Rockers Promo on Demolition

Summer 1988

"You know, being a Rocker isn't easy,

but somebody's gotta do it."

  - Marty Jannetty             

Demolition vs The Rockers

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

Filmed October 24, 1988

New York, New York, USA

Commentary: Lord Alfred Hayes, Superstar Billy Graham, Rod Trograd

⚔️ WWF Classic Feud Spotlight: Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty — The 1993 Four-Star Match Trilogy

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty in 1993

As the WWF’s Golden Era faded and the New Generation began to redefine professional wrestling, the breakup of The Rockers marked a decisive turning point for both Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. For Michaels, it was the launchpad for a meteoric rise as a singles competitor; for Jannetty, it quietly marked the closing chapter of his prime in-ring run.

Yet in 1993, their rivalry produced something remarkable. Across three singles matches—each earning four-star acclaim—Michaels and Jannetty delivered a compact trilogy that showcased their unmatched chemistry. The first took place on January 24, 1993, at the Royal Rumble in Sacramento, California. The remaining two aired on the USA Network’s WWF Monday Night RAW, cementing this overlooked series as one of the best rivalries of its time.

Royal Rumble Report

WWF SUPERSTARS

Aired on January 9, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF ROYAL RUMBLE

January 24, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF Monday Night RAW

Aired on May 17, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF Monday Night RAW

Aired July 19. 1993

Marty Jannetty vs Shawn Michaels in July 1993

✂️ The Barber Shop Incident: Shawn Michaels Turns on Marty Jannetty (1992)

Jannetty and Michaels appear on The Barber Shop

Filmed in December 1991 and broadcast on WWF Wrestling Challenge on January 12, 1992—just one week before the highly anticipated WWF Royal Rumble—the iconic tag team The Rockers, featuring Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty, appeared on the Barber Shop segment hosted by Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. During their appearance, Michaels and Jannetty openly discussed the recent tensions and disagreements that had developed between them as partners in the ring. The segment was elevated by the sharp commentary of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon, whose insights added depth to the unfolding drama. The infamous “Barber Shop Incident” endures as one of the most memorable moments in professional wrestling history—an explosive turning point that not only ended The Rockers, but ignited Shawn Michaels’ ascent into one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time.

Bobby Heenan: "Jannetty tried to dive through the window to escape. Did you see that?"

"The Barber Shop Incident"

WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE

Aired January 12, 1992

More on Shawn Michaels' amazing rise after the "Barber Shop Incident" can be found in the Pro Wrestling Resource post below:

WWF History: Shawn Michaels in 1992 [50 Videos]

🥇 The First WWF Tag Team Appearance of the Hardy Boyz — 1996 [Videos]

On May 28, 1996, during a World Wrestling Federation television taping of WWF Superstars in Charleston, South Carolina, brothers Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy appeared together for the first time as tag team partners in the WWF.

During the taping, the Hardy brothers faced the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions, The Smoking Gunns—kayfabe brothers Billy and Bart Gunn—and also competed in a second match against the pairing of Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy as the New Rockers, with both bouts taking place the same night.

The WWF Tag Team Championship match later aired on the June 15 episode of WWF Superstars and was further anchored in WWF history by a commentary team featuring Mr. Perfect, Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Sunny. For the Hardys—hailing from nearby North Carolina—the match represents not only their first national exposure as a team, but the earliest documented step in what would become one of the most influential tag team careers of the modern era.

Listen as Vince McMahon refers to the brothers as The Hardy Boyz on commentary during both of their matches.

The New Rockers vs Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy

WWF Superstars

Aired June 1, 1996

The Smoking Gunns vs "The Hardy Boyz" Matt and Jeff

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

WWF Superstars

Aired on June 15, 1996

💥 SummerSlam '90 Shockwave: The Rise of Power & Glory [Videos]

💥 SummerSlam '90 Shockwave: The Rise of Power & Glory

🔍 Backstory: March 12, 1990 – PRIMETIME WRESTLING

On this episode of WWF PRIMETIME WRESTLING, the popular Hercules teams up with Paul Roma.

Hercules & Paul Roma vs The Brooklyn Brawler and Black Bart

🔍 Backstory: July 8, 1990 – WRESTLING CHALLENGE

On this episode of WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE, the popular Hercules is saved by Paul Roma.

Hercules and Jim McPhearson vs The Orient Express

🔍 Backstory: July 21, 1990 – WWF Superstars of Wrestling

On this episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, the Rockers try to help Paul Roma off the wrestling mat after his defeat against Dino Bravo. Roma did not like the help from the Rockers and Hercules agreed.

Paul Roma vs Dino Bravo

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

July 21, 1990

Power & Glory's first promo

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

July 21, 1990

🔍 Power & Glory Early Promos: July 1990 

Hercules and Romo introduce Slick as their Manager

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Filmed on June 25, 1990

Aired on July 28, 1990

Power & Glory with Slick

WWF Wrestling Challenge

Filmed June 26, 1990

Aired July 29, 1990

Special Report with Gene Okerlund on Power & Glory

WWF PRIMETIME WRESTLING

Aired July 30, 1990

Hosts Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

📅 Classic Match Spotlight: Rockers vs. Power & Glory at SummerSlam 1990

Date: August 27, 1990
Venue: Philadelphia Spectrum
Match Length:  6 minutes
Commentary:  Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper
Result: Power & Glory defeat The Rockers

🔄 Aftermath & Legacy

This match showed Marty Jannetty had solid ring ability, as he faced two-on-one for the entire match.
At Survivor Series 1990, Paul Roma’s PowerPlex helped eliminate Michaels again—keeping the feud thread alive! The Rockers were more established as a tag team, so this was a BIG victory for Power & Glory.

Power & Glory would face the Rockers a few more times on the house show circuit, with the Rockers earning a notable win during a WWF tour of Japan in 1991—a small but satisfying measure of revenge.

Shawn Michaels, despite the injury angle, would go on to become one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, redefining what a main eventer could be.
Roma would eventually make a surprising move to WCW and even earn a controversial spot in The Four Horsemen, while Hercules and Jannetty—both respected by fans—would fade into more transitional roles by the mid-‘90s.
This match, however, stands as a key turning point for both teams and an early glimpse into the fire that would launch Michaels into superstardom.

🔢 PWR Rating: 7/10
While the match was brief and mostly one-sided, the storytelling and implications make it a standout moment in tag team history. It marked the arrival of Power & Glory, protected a legit injury angle for Shawn Michaels, and gave Marty Jannetty a rare solo showcase. Not a classic bout, but a classic moment.

Matchguide Rating: 5.49 based on 78 votes.

Virgil "Wrestling Superstar" R.I.P. 1962-2024 [Videos]

Most famously known as Virgil from 1987-1995 in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), professional wrestler Michael Jones, passed away on February 28, 2024, at the age of 61.

After serving behind Ted DiBiase's "Million Dollar Man" character since 1987, Virgil broke away from DiBiase to challenge his long-time "boss" in early 1991 and became a fan favorite. In a build-up to SummerSlam 1991, Virgil saw a major push in the WWF with television time, match victories, and other promotional items promoting his career, including partnering with superstars such as Bret Hart and Roddy Piper. In recognition for an impressive year, surprisingly Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked Virgil as number 74 of their top 500 wrestlers of 1992, higher than more well-known wrestlers such as Sgt. Slaughter (81), Bam Bam Bigelow (84), Marty Jannetty (85), and Terry Funk (98).

In addition to his time in the WWF, jones spent four years in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) which included time under the name Vincent as a member of the famous faction nWo.

Paul Orndorff vs Lucius Brown (Michael Jones)

Filmed September 17, 1986

Salisbury, Maryland

WWF Wrestling Challenge

Aired September 27, 1986

Virgil vs Kato

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

USA Network

Aired July 1, 1991

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Virgil

July 1991 Promo

Bret "Hitman" Hart and Virgil

July 1991 Promo

The Barber Shop

with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake

Interview segment with Virgil

July 1991

Virgil vs Paul Roma

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

USA Network

Aired July 22, 1991

Calagry, Alberta, Canada

Bobby Heenan and Sean Mooney interview Virgil

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

July 1991

Vincent vs Barry Horowitz

WCW Saturday Night

April 3, 1999

Curly Bill (Michael Jones) & Kendall Windham vs Disorderly Conduct

WCW Saturday Night

November 6, 1999

Classic Matches: Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty [Videos]

 

Former tag team partners Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty faced each other on five occasions from 1993 to 1996. These matches were highly anticipated and the three matches in 1993 were classics. The match that stands out above them all was held on Monday Night Raw on July 19, 1993.

Vince McMahon: I would say that Marty Jannetty was the superior of the two when they were a tag team years ago.

Bobby Heenan: OH COME ON!

WWF Monday Night Raw

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty

Aired on July 19, 1993

New York City, New York

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, Randy Savage

January 24, 1993: Shawn Michaels defeated Marty Jannetty by pinfall in 14:20.

May 17, 1993: Marty Jannetty defeated Shawn Michaels by pinfall in 10:57.

July 19, 1993: Shawn Michaels (with Diesel) defeated Jannetty by pinfall in 23 minutes.

May 11, 1996: Shawn Michaels defeated Jannetty by pinfall

June 24, 1996: Shawn Michaels (with Jose Lothario) defeats Marty Jannetty (with Jim Cornette and  Leif Cassidy) in 16:20.

WWF Championship Match

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty

Saturday, May 11, 1996

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Commentators: Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon

Royal Rumble 1991: Friend vs Friend, Foe vs Foe. It's Every Man for Himself!

Live from Miami, Florida, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) held it's fourth annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on January 19, 1991. The Royal Rumble match lasted over an hour with Hulk Hogan, The British Bulldog, Brian Knobbs, and Earthquake being the final four wrestlers in the ring at the end of the match. The main event Rumble match saw many high profile professional wrestlers including: Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, The Undertaker, Jake Roberts, The Texas Tornado (Kerry Von Erich), Rick Martel, Tito Santana, Dino Bravo, Animal, Hawk, Hercules, Jim Duggan, Tugboat, Greg Valentine, Jimmy Snuka, The British Bulldog, Earthquake, Haku, Crush, Smash, Shane Douglas, Paul Romo, Jim Neidhart, The Warlord, Saba Simba (Tony Atlas), and Hulk Hogan.

The Hart Foundation Promo

1991 Royal Rumble

The pay-per-view was preceded by a WWF Countdown hosted by Sean Mooney and shown on cable television to entice viewers to buy the pay-per-view event for $24.95. According to 2XZONE.com, the 1991 Royal Rumble saw the highest amount of pay-per-view purchases for a Royal Rumble event until 1999, and saw the highest buy rate of any pay-per-view in 1991. 

1991 WWF Royal Rumble Countdown

with Sean Mooney

The pay-per-view event also saw an excellent 19 minute opening match between The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) and Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka).

Final minutes of

The Rockers vs Orient Express

Hulk Hogan interview with Mean Gene

Post Royal Rumble 

WWF Classic Tag Matches: The Rockers vs The Legion of Doom [Videos]

There have been many great tag teams in professional wrestling history, with the highlight of tag team wrestling being seen during the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. Two of these great tag teams briefly interacted with each other during the end of 1991, sending all participants into different directions personally and professionally. Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty were members of the tag team specialists combo, The Rockers. Known as the Road Warriors since the early 1980s, Hawk and Animal formed the team known in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as the Legion of Doom. By mid-1992, both teams were no longer wrestling as tag teams, with Hawk and Animal leaving the WWF until their return 1997, and Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty continuing their careers apart, with a brief reunion in 2005.

The Rockers show signs of strain

Survivor Series

November 27, 1991

Bonus Match from Tokyo, Japan

Super Wrestle - Super World of Sports

Legion of Doom vs The Natural Disasters

December 12, 1991

Shawn Michaels doesn't tag Marty Jannetty

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Aired December 21, 1991

The Rockers vs the Legion of Doom

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Aired December 28, 1991

Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty interactions

January-November 1992

Marty Jannetty says he is "back Jack, and ready to attack!"

Classic Tag Team Battles: The Hart Foundation vs The Rockers [Videos]

These two professional wrestling tag teams had many battles throughout the years in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), but their August 1989 match is a highlight for pro wrestling historians who have the knowledge of how great Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels would become in singles competition. As Sean Mooney points out, these competitors have "speed, quickness, skill, power, everything." The match is best digested in segments to follow in-ring psychology and technique.

The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)

vs

The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)

August 29, 1989 - Springfield, Massachusetts 

Commentators - Sean Mooney and Lord Alfred Hayes  

Match introduction and warm up

Match - Part 1

Match - Part 2

Match - Part 3

Match - Part 4

The Run-in

WWF History: Shawn Michaels in 1992 [50 Videos]

For the first time in seven years, Shawn Michaels wrestled as a full-time singles competitor in 1992. The 27 year old wrestler saw a lot of success in 1992, including capturing the Intercontinental Championship from the British Bulldog in October.

The Rockers met to discuss their differences at the Barber Shop

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, broadcast January 12, 1992)

Shawn Michaels prepares for the Royal Rumble
(Commentator: Mean Gene Okerlund )

Shawn Michaels vs Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Rudy Gonzales
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs Kris Germany
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Scott Hen

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs The British Bulldog

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes)

Shawn Michaels speaks with Raymond Rougeau about Virgil

The announcement that Shawn Michaels has left Madison Square Garden

 (Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, March 23, 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawan Michaels and Sherri featured on USA Network's Up All Night

(Host: Rhonda Shear)

Shawn Michaels vs Dale Wolfe

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs Louis Spicolli + Bonus Promos

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Louis Spicolli

(German Commentators)

Shawn Michaels vs Danny Kamo

(German Commentators)

Shawn Michaels vs Graig Brown

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes)

Shawn Michaels vs Randy Savage
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs George Anderson

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels and Sherri with Mean Gene Okerlund
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, May 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs Bob Wisseman

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Glen Ruth
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels with Mean Gene Okerlund

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect, June 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs Ron Cumberledge

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels cuts a promo

(Commentator: Sean Mooney, June 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs Jason Speed

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair cut a promo on Bret Hart and Randy Savage

(Commentator: Sean Mooney, July 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs The Texas Tornado
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes)

Shawn Michaels vs Phil Apollo
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs Red Tyler

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Tony DeVito

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Ross Greenberg

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs Joey Maggs

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Virgil

(Providence, RI - September 10, 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs Koko B. Ware

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Slick)

Shawn Michaels vs Steve Gillespie
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)

Shawn Michaels vs Kevin Kruger
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Marty Jannetty surprises and confronts Shawn Michaels
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect)



Shawn Michaels vs Big Boss Man
(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs The British Bulldog
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan)

Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels speak with Mean Gene Okerlund
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Virgil
(Unknown Commentators)

Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart
(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels with Mean Gene Okerlund

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, December 1992)

Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty speak their minds
(Commentator: Sean Mooney, December 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs John Paul

(Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels vs Kerry Davis

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)

Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty Face to Face Interview

(Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Hillbilly Jim, Sgt. Slaughter)

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty

(Cow Palace - December 11, 1992)

Shawn Michaels vs Jim Bruzell

(Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan)