If only he could talk

[cheapshot]

I was pondering earlier, which wrestlers people feel would of moved up a tier or two as an overall great, or even reached GOAT status if only they could cut a decent promo. They might be workers whom are over with the crowd, who put on great matches, with great charisma but just don't cut it when it comes to interviews and on camera speaking.

 

People to me who fall into this criteria include: Jeff Hardy, Lex Luger, Booker T, Ultimate Warrior, Goldberg, Bobby Lashley, RVD, Ken Patera, Brock Lesnar and Ken Shamrock

 

I am not sure if I'd include Benoit as he is already considered a GOAT candidate, but if he was great on the mic would he of been a no brainer for Top 5 of all time?

[Karl]

Cant agree with you on Luger. I loved his promo's..particularly as a heal.

[El-P]

Luger was mostly solid on promos as a heel, and at times excellent. His promos and angle work in 96 and late 99-early 00 are gold.

[Karl]

Scott Steiner was always one who could look like a million quid but talked like £2.50

[cheapshot]

Luger was mostly solid on promos as a heel, and at times excellent. His promos and angle work in 96 and late 99-early 00 are gold.

To me, Luger's promos sometimes seemed forced and he seemed uncomfortable and susceptible to tripping over his words. To me I'd never consider classing him as excellent on promos.

[Badlittlekitten]

Rick Martel and Ricky Steamboat always went to shit when they started talking.

[PeteF3]

Phil LaFon/Dan Kroffat. If he could have been as big of a dick on the mic as he could be in the ring, he could have gone places in North America, too.

[Kostka]

Matt Hardy circa 2005.

[Guest TheGreatPuma]

The Warrior was an awesome and legendary promo which was a humongous part of his legendary status. Very effective. I don't want to get into a big essay on why for various reasons but just wanted to get that out there. He deserves credit for it.

[Log]

I think Lesnar's become a good promo. It's funny that it took him leaving wrestling for a while to really develop a character.

[cheapshot]

Rick Martel and Ricky Steamboat always went to shit when they started talking.

I think that Steamboat whilst not always memorable on the mic isn't someone who I'd consider couldn't talk.

 

I'd say as English most likely wasn't Martel's first language so I think it would be a little harsh to lump him in with others.

[flyonthewall2983]

I never liked Bret's mic work. He's a very intelligent guy but somehow his promos could come off sounding pretty dumb.

 

EDIT: Except in '97. The heel stuff he did was terrific.

[khawk20]

Jim Brunzell was pretty bad on the mic, but it never really hurt him as he primarily was a tag wrestler. Greg Gagne was a decent talker so he could take the lead most of the time.

 

I do wonder if he was a decent talker if he would have been moved more towards being a singles wrestler, though. His time in MACW and his bouts vs. Bockwinkel indicate that he probably had it in him.

[PeteF3]

I thought Brunzell's promo before the cage match with the East-West was legitimately great. Maybe it was a one-off fluke, but he could bring the goods at times.

[khawk20]

At times he could, yes, but more often than not he seemed to get lost in expressing his sentiments midway through his promos.

[shoe]

I thought Luger was a strong heel interview in 89. He really hit his stride that year.

[Zoo Enthusiast]

I thought Brunzell's promo before the cage match with the East-West was legitimately great. Maybe it was a one-off fluke, but he could bring the goods at times.

Was going to say the same thing. Actually just watched it earlier today.

[PeteF3]

On the other hand, John Studd turned in a good in-ring performance on that set, too...

[shoe]

On the other hand, John Studd turned in a good in-ring performance on that set, too...

 

Ranked 77. Other Pete where did you rank it? I had it 41.

[Jimmy Redman]

Bobby Lashley was terrible in the ring.

 

Promos were a big problem for him, but they weren't the only one. He's more of a guy who falls under "If only he could talk, work, act, get over or be a pro wrestler in any way".

[Dooley]

Davey Boy Smith was someone who jumped to mind. Had a few times in his career where he was put in the main event mix and if he could have cut a decent promo on his own, he may have stayed there. But he was too BIZARRE.

[Karl]

Smith certainly was never a great talker but more than that, I suspect he would be hindered in America on the basis of his accent. Surprised US TV didnt put subtitles up for him!

[cheapshot]

I think Bobby Eaton is someone who if could talk, as well as say, some of Arn Anderson's ilk would be a sure fire HoF'er before his induction in 2009. Most likely his career post MX would of been entirely different if was an awesome promo.

[FLIK]

I think Steamboat is one of the most underrated promos ever, re-watching early 90's WCW and he's one of the best talkers in the company.

[victory]

I would never put Sting as a GOAT candidate, but he would move up the chart if he could of cut a decent promo. He was terrible. I haven't seen much of his TNA run, so hopefully he improved.