Marty Jannetty was an excellent wrestler and many say he was a victim of his own demons and it prevented him from climbing hire in the ranks of professional wrestling. I'm not here to speculate about any of that, I'm here to write about his only singles title reign in a major promotion, the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
He was brought back in October 1992 after his house arrest ended picking up wins over enhancement talent at TV taping. Although primarily known as a tag ream wrestler Jannetty was a former two time Central States Wrestling Heavyweight Champion and even challenging Ric Flair for the NWA Worlds Championship on four occasions.
Beginning November 27, 1992 through January 23, 1993 Jannetty toured the house show circuit challenging Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental championship coming up short at each encounter.
On January 24, 1993 Marty once again challenged for the Intercontinental Championship this time at Royal Rumble in Sacramento, California. Once again Shawn Michaels retained his title.
In a backstage interview segment Jannetty attacked Michaels leading many to believe the feud would continue leading to a match at WrestleMania that year. However, Jannetty was accused of being intoxicated during the match at the Royal Rumble and was released shortly after.
On May 17, 1993 at the Manhattan Center in New York City on Monday Night Raw Shawn Michaels was in the ring being interviewed by Vince McMahon, Michaels said he would defend the title against anyone, anywhere. Marty Jannetty then emerged from the crowd challenging Michaels who was forced into accepting the match. He had returned to the WWE at house shows the days before losing matches to Michaels.
Later in the night in just under 11 minutes Jannetty would pin Michaels with a small package to capture the championship much to the delight of the the crowd.
Jannetty's title reign would only last 19 days until June 6, 1993 when he lost the title to Michaels at a house show in Albany, New York. In total he defended the title 7 times with 6 successful defenses, with only 1 televised defense.
May 21, 1993 Hershey, Pennsylvania, House Show
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty pinned Papa Shango with a roll up
May 31, 1993 Manhattan Center, New York, Monday Night Raw
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty with Sensational Sherri defeated Bam Bam Bigelow with Luna Vachon by count - out
June 1, 1993 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, House Show
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty pinned Shawn Michaels
June 2, 1993 Sioux City, Iowa, House Show
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty pinned Shawn Michaels
June 3, 1993 Des Moines, Iowa, House Show
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty pinned Shawn Michaels
June 5, 1993 Minneapolis, Minnesota, House Show
Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty pinned Shawn Michaels
June 6, 1993 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, New York, House Show
Shawn Michaels with Diesel pinned Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty to win the championship
The June 6th house show was Kevin Nash's debut in the WWE as Diesel, and he aided Michaels in defeating Jannetty to regain the title. I don't understand why he lost the title at a house show instead of on Monday Night Raw the next night.
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