Outspoken Star Raises Hall of Fame Controversy
Marty Jannetty, one half of WWE’s legendary tag team The Rockers, has publicly accused WWE of deliberately blocking him from Hall of Fame induction, alleging the decision traces back to his openness about suffering from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) symptoms linked to his wrestling career. The accusation not only raises questions about the fairness of WWE’s selection process but also shines a spotlight on wrestling’s ongoing reckoning with health and concussion issues.
The Rockers’ Legacy and Hall of Fame Snub
The Rockers—Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels—were one of WWE’s most popular tag teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s, known for their high-flying, innovative offense and raucous fan support. Despite their impact, Jannetty has never received Hall of Fame recognition, while his former partner Michaels became a two-time inductee and is now central to WWE’s creative direction[2]. Many fans and analysts have long considered the pair’s omission “one of the most glaring and obvious” in WWE history, though other major omissions have also sparked debate[4].
“The Rockers changed the game for tag teams in WWE, and it’s baffling that both Shawn and Marty aren’t recognized as a duo,” said a veteran wrestling journalist familiar with the era.
Jannetty Claims Blackball Due to CTE Stance
According to Jannetty, his outspokenness about suffering from CTE symptoms—potentially tied to his wrestling career—led to WWE officials effectively “blackballing” him from Hall of Fame consideration. While WWE’s corporate stance on health issues has evolved in recent years, Jannetty has claimed in interviews and on social media that the company retaliated for his willingness to speak publicly about brain injuries.
A WWE insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the Hall of Fame process is “not as transparent as fans might think,” and that personal relationships and backstage politics sometimes play a role in who gets inducted[2]. However, the source denied any official edict about Jannetty, stating, “There’s no memo or meeting saying he’s blackballed, but sometimes certain people just aren’t in the right conversation when the ballots are drawn up.”
The Hall of Fame’s Selection Process: Cloaked in Secrecy
WWE’s Hall of Fame selection process is famously opaque, with no public voting criteria and no permanent oversight committee. Inductees are chosen based on a mix of fan sentiment, historical impact, and, often, relationships with those currently in power[2][4]. This lack of transparency has led to persistent criticism, as legendary wrestlers and teams—including Demolition and Vader—have waited years, sometimes decades, for their due recognition[4][7].
According to a source close to WWE’s creative team, “The Hall of Fame is as much about current business and politics as it is legacy. There’s no rulebook, so the reasons why some get in and some don’t can be very personal, very arbitrary.”
WWE’s History of Omitting Controversial Figures
WWE has a long history of leaving out or delaying the induction of wrestlers who have publicly criticized the company, or who have led controversial lives outside the ring. Figures like Lex Luger, whose personal struggles and legal issues kept him out for years, only recently received induction[2]. Meanwhile, voices like Chyna and Bray Wyatt have spurred fan campaigns for recognition, sometimes leading to posthumous induction—but often only after significant public pressure[4].
On social media, fans of Jannetty have noted the irony: While WWE now highlights “Immortal Moments” and celebrates its history more than ever, The Rockers—a team that defined an era—remain split in their legacy status[4].
Jannetty’s CTE Advocacy and the Modern WWE Climate
Jannetty’s claims come at a time when WWE and the broader wrestling world are under increased scrutiny for their handling of brain injuries. WWE’s current leadership has publicly emphasized athlete health, investing in new concussion protocols and in-ring safety measures. But many veterans, including former stars like Bryan Danielson and Chris Nowinski, have argued that more needs to be done for past generations who suffered in silence.
A source close to Jannetty told Ringside News that, while there is no “smoking gun” tying his CTE comments to his Hall of Fame snub, the star believes his willingness to speak out has made him a “black sheep” in WWE’s historical narrative.
What’s Next for Jannetty and The Rockers’ Legacy
Fans and analysts remain divided on whether The Rockers will ever be inducted as a team. With Shawn Michaels a key WWE executive, there could be an opportunity for reconciliation—or further alienation. Meanwhile, WWE’s 2025 Hall of Fame class, headlined by Triple H with several overdue acts finally honored, has renewed debate about who truly deserves recognition[2].
For now, Marty Jannetty’s case remains a flashpoint in wrestling’s ongoing conversation about legacy, health, and accountability. His willingness to speak out, even at the risk of further estrangement, has only deepened the mystery—and controversy—surrounding one of WWE’s most beloved tag teams.
The Bottom Line: Politics, Health, and the Hall of Fame
Marty Jannetty’s claims of blackballing are not unprecedented in the world of WWE, but they raise serious questions about how the company reconciles its past with its present, and how it honors those who helped build its success. Until WWE opens up its Hall of Fame process, fans can only speculate—and hope that one day, The Rockers’ “immortal moment” is finally acknowledged.
As one longtime wrestling journalist put it: “The Hall of Fame should be about what happened in the ring. But too often, it’s about what happens behind the scenes.”