Browsing: Shawn

Shawn Michaels’ Former Partner Reveals Real Reason Behind WWE Hall Of Fame Snub

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Shawn Michaels’ former tag team partner has reignited debate over WWE Hall of Fame criteria, pointing squarely at contractual disputes and legal action rather than in-ring accomplishments.

According to WWE legend Marty Jannetty, the pivotal moment wasnâ€t a lack of championship gold or classic bouts, but a medical funding request followed by his participation in a wrestler concussion lawsuit. Jannetty is one half of The Rockers, alongside Shawn Michaels, the high-flying tandem that never officially held WWF Tag Team gold despite memorable victories and spotlights at WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble.

During a recent appearance on Hannibal TV, Jannetty said,

You know, a lot of fans keep asking why Iâ€m not in the Hall of Fame. They say I should be, especially as part of The Rockers. Honestly, I donâ€t know the exact reason, but I think it might have something to do with when I joined a lawsuit against WWE about CTE. I really didnâ€t want to be part of it, but I felt like they treated me wrong over my ankle issues.”

The former WWE star added:

I asked them to cover surgery for my ankles. My doctor, whoâ€s a friend, wasnâ€t even charging me — the only cost wouldâ€ve been the hospital fee. I told them it would cost way less than sending people to rehab. At that time, guys like Scott Hall, Sunny, and Jake Roberts had all been to rehab many times, and each stay cost about $30,000 a month. I said, instead of sending me to rehab, just help me fix my ankles, because thatâ€s why I was taking so many pain pills.â€

Jannetty then joined a class-action suit alleging Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) claims against the company, a case that included dozens of former wrestlers and was appealed to the US Supreme Court.

Medical and Law Issues Faced by Shawn Michaels’ Former WWE Tag Team Partner

Jannetty detailed his discussion with WWE executive Anne Russo, recalling her concession that his request was reasonable, yet her concern that it would set a precedent. He said,

I told Anne Russo, who was in charge then, that the amount they made last quarter was enough to cover my surgery. It wouldnâ€t even hurt them financially because it was money they earned from my past work. She told me I had a good point, but if they did that for me, theyâ€d have to do it for everyone else, and it would ‘open the floodgates.’” (H/T: Ringside News)

Jannettyâ€s brother, he added, was outraged that merchandise and archived footage bearing his likeness continued to generate revenue, yet the company balked at addressing injuries sustained under its banner. Fans and peers have since rallied behind Jannetty, arguing that performer welfare and contributions, tag team classics on pay-per-views, and innovative top-rope maneuvers warrant Hall of Fame recognition.

While WWE has not officially commented on these specific allegations, the conversation has rekindled scrutiny of induction standards and corporate responsibility for long-term athlete health.

MORE: Shawn Michaels Pushed WWE To Sign Wrestling Prodigy

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Mustafa Ali Explains How A Disagreement With Shawn Michaels Led To Epic Promo On WWE NXT

Mustafa Ali and Shawn Michaels had a difference of opinion regarding how he should cut his promo against Ethan Page this week on NXT.

On Tuesday night, Mustafa Ali made his shocking return to WWE NXT and confronted North American Champion Ethan Page. It was revealed in the segment that Ali will finally receive his North American title shot, a match he was supposed to have before getting released by WWE.

TNA Wrestling‘s Mustafa Ali recently spoke with Denise Salcedo. During the interview, Ali spoke about his NXT promo and revealed how a disagreement with Shawn Michaels led to the epic promo on NXT.

“I gotta be perfectly honest with you, thatâ€s what the original idea was,†Mustafa Ali said. “When I got there, I kind of shied away from it. It wasnâ€t that I wasnâ€t comfortable with it. Itâ€s just that I feel like Iâ€ve said this before, Iâ€m at a stage in my career, especially with TNA, where I feel like Iâ€ve presented this, this politician, like a very powerful, very confident individual that kind of condescendingly weaves and snakes his way into the match.â€

Further, Ali revealed how the HBK wants him to be real in this promo. This eventually led to the segment we witnessed on recent NXT.

“So when I got there, I did meet with Shawn, and I kind of pitched a different version of the same promo, but what I thought would be more in line with what I did. Initially, he was like, ‘Yeah, I kind of see it.†Then I want to say it wasnâ€t that long before weâ€re on, he changed his mind, and he pulled me aside with the writer.

“He goes, ‘Iâ€m telling you, youâ€ve got to be real on this one. Youâ€ve got to let people know what happened. Youâ€ve got to trust me on this. Start off how you want, but then midway through, just take the mask off and look him down in the eye and tell everybody what happened. Iâ€m telling you. Youâ€ve gotta trust me.â€

“At the end of the day, Shawn Michaels tells you how he wants it; he wants it. I wonâ€t lie, I thought he was wrong initially. And then I went out, and as Iâ€m cutting the promo, I myself started to feel it, and there was this pin drop silence. I think I said something along the lines of, ‘My dream was on the horizon, but that day, Mr. Page, the sun did not rise,†and you could just hear everyone felt that was real.

HBK made the right call…

“Then, I went on to what happened, and the reaction afterwards, and them cheering, and even the chatter online afterwards. I think people genuinely would be upset if I did not win. So when I came back, I looked at Shawn, I go, ‘You were right.†Itâ€s one of those things that even all this time in the game, I know me, but still, Iâ€ll 100% say that was 100% Shawn. Shawn made the call, and he made the right call.’†[H/T – Fightful]

READ MORE:Mustafa Ali Reveals Hilarious WWE ‘Hidden Camera†Prank That Went On For Months

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Shawn Michaels Was Furious Backstage after TNA Invaded WWE NXT

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A fired up Shawn Michaels was seen backstage directing traffic for WWE NXT who got invaded by TNA Wrestling.

The invasion happened during NXT’s main event between TNA World Champion and current NXT star Trick Williams and NXT Champion Oba Femi. Former WWE superstars who are now TNA wrestlers such as Eric Young, Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay (The IIconics) and Matt Cardona, appeared at the Performance Center to survey the premises.

As the penultimate moments of the main event arrived, Williams approached Mike Santana who suddenly arrived and took a seat at the commentary table. The Anointed One then viciously smacked The Real Deal and all hell broke loose.

A couple of TNA contingent from the crowd jumped out to start the melee and the NXT locker room quickly emptied out. On his post in his X (Twitter) account, Michaels, who is the current NXT’s head of creative, stormed backstage and was enraged when looking at what’s happening on his show.

The Heartbreak Kid also asked for security in order to neutralize the chaos. He then issued a short but fiery warning to the Nashville-based promotion.

“This doesn’t end here,” Shawn Michaels declared.

Check out his post below:

TNA Wrestler Xia Brookside Sent A Message to WWE Hall of Famer, Shawn Michaels

Before finding herself in TNA, Xia Brookside was once a WWE superstar via NXT UK from 2018 to 2022, where she got released following the European brand’s hiatus. She has since signed to the Nashville-based promotion last year.

The 26-year old also took part on TNA’s invasion of NXT, which created mass chaos. On X (Twitter), she posted a photo of herself pointing to a monitor that displays the Wednesday nights’ logo.

Brookside then gave a shout-out to NXT’s head of creative, Shawn Michaels, and informed him that they are just getting started.

Check out her post below:

After what went down in Orlando, Florida, it will be interesting to see if the NXT conglomeration will storm to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, home of TNA’s upcoming shows Impact! and Victory Road 2025.

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Stephanie Vaquer Thanks Shawn Michaels & More After World Title Win

Stephanie Vaquer captured the WWE Womenâ€s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza, marking another major milestone for the Chilean star in 2025. Inside Indianapolis†Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Vaquer defeated former champion IYO SKY to claim the vacant title.

After the match, Vaquer celebrated with her father, who had traveled from Chile to watch her perform. WWE NXT head Shawn Michaels later praised her victory on X, and Vaquer expressed gratitude to the family she found within WWEâ€s silver brand.

Michaels wasnâ€t the only name to acknowledge her achievement. On X, Vaquer also responded to congratulatory messages from Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and the Bella Twins.

This win adds to an already remarkable rookie year for Vaquer, who signed with WWE in 2024. She made her NXT debut that September and quickly rose through the ranks, winning three championships in less than a year. In February 2025, she captured the NXT Womenâ€s North American Championship, followed by the NXT Womenâ€s Title just a month later.

Now, with the Womenâ€s World Championship on her shoulder, Vaquer stands at the top of WWE Rawâ€s womenâ€s division. With Crown Jewel on the horizon and a match for the Crown Jewel Womenâ€s Title looming, it appears more gold could be in her future.

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