Top 10 Talkers In Wrestling In 2021
Who cut the best promos this year?
The art of the promo has resurrected, as evidenced by the emergence of compelling talkers in wrestling over the past year.
If you look beyond WWE’s micromanaged, overly-scripted verbiage, you’ll see many promotions that allow and even foster creativity. Even though AEW, MLW, Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor have to adhere to the constraints of television, their talent have the freedom to express themselves. Of course, wrestlers on the indie scene don’t have that luxury of national exposure, so they have to create and distribute their own compelling content in order to build their character and develop a following.
With so much media available for consumption, wrestlers have to think outside-the-box to get people talking. That competition has brought out the best in many talents, especially these top 10 talkers in wrestling.
Honorable Mention: Max Caster
I wish there was room for Max Caster on this list because he’s a maestro on the mic. However, he raps rather than cuts promos, so I’ll leave him off on a technicality. But he’s a highlight of AEW and I’m glad he wasn’t canceled this year.
Honorable Mention: Don Callis
“The Invisible Hand” has been, well, invisible since the fall, but he’s a perennial shit stirrer who revitalized Kenny Omega in AEW. Don Callis deserves mention for doing the best he could to cover for the dud explosion at Revolution, claiming it was all part of the plan. Big pop for christening Omega as “King of the Deathmatch.”
10. Dan Lambert
If Tony Khan can’t lure Jim Cornette out of his castle, at least he found the next best thing. Dan Lambert picked right up where he left off in Impact Wrestling, changing his focus from proclaiming MMA’s superiority over pro wrestling to old school wrasslin’s superiority over AEW. While neither Ethan Page nor Scorpio Sky need a mouthpiece, I’m glad they’re getting a rub from the heat magnet.
9. Becky Lynch
“The Man” shocked the world at SummerSlam, returning from maternity leave to squash Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Naturally, fans weren’t pleased with that outcome, but Becky Lynch embraced their disgust. Maintaining this aura of confidence that’s borderline cockiness, the charismatic lass is one of the few WWE Superstars who don’t sound like they’re reading from a script.
8. Crowbar
Although it’s been a few months since Crowbar graced Twitter with one of his black and white vignettes, his lectures can’t be forgotten. With classical music in the background while clutching a glass of wine, the “Timeless One” bemoans the wrestlers of today with their garbage, deathmatch stunts and comedy antics. Today’s fans, referred to as “the demographic,” haven’t been immune to his criticism, either. He also cut a shoot promo on Ricky Morton after the Rock N’ Roll Express legend missed the ECWA Super 8, allowing Crowbar to take his spot and make history after competing in the inaugural tournament 25 years ago.
7. Eddie Kingston
It’s remarkable that Eddie Kingston was going to retire a couple years ago. Thankfully, he kept grinding and the industry is better off for it. Sure, there was a bit more humor this year, especially when he reunited with fellow delinquent Jon Moxley, but the gruff veteran always infuses some uncomfortable honesty into his promos. Although he became AEW’s unofficial cheerleader, sometimes closing the show with pep rally speeches, Kingston’s 2021 will be remembered for his epic confrontation with CM Punk.
6. Miro
Since destroying former teammate Kip Sabian in the spring, Miro has truly found himself as “The Redeemer.” Although he’s remained dominant in the ring, his rejuvenation has come from his passionate promos, in which he speaks to his god and always references his “hot wife.” When he lost the TNT Championship to Sammy Guevara, Miro felt his god betrayed him. “You gave me a body of granite and a neck of sand. Is that some kind of joke?” It’s a fascinating character whose journey you can’t help but invest in.
5. Roman Reigns
He’s come a long way from sufferin’ succotash. As the Universal Champion for 16 months and counting, Roman Reigns has become the kingpin of WWE. The “Tribal Chief” demands your respect and obedience. He either speaks softly, forcing you to listen, or he cuts monologues during his matches, adding insult to injury. His war of words with John Cena was the best thing in WWE this year.
4. CM Punk
In the top moment in wrestling in 2021, CM Punk returned to the sport that sorely missed him. His first promo back was glorious, and he even put Britt Baker over in his opening line. As time went on, though, it seemed that there no more pipe bombs left to throw. After weeks of drawing “welcome back” pops and exchanging pleasantries with each city, Eddie Kingston finally gave Punk something to talk about. After all, that’s when the former WWE Champion is at his best, when he’s trading verbal barbs with equally great talkers, like Kingston and MJF.
3. Britt Baker
Nobody in AEW, and perhaps all of pro wrestling, gets more interview time than Britt Baker. And you know what? The world’s most famous dentist deserves it. She’s full of quips, believability and has a fun catchphrase. It’s tough to dislike the arrogant, self-absorbed vixen, who’s become the queen bee of the AEW women’s locker room.
2. MJF
No topic was taboo for MJF this year. The entitled millennial remained a master of the mic, targeting Brian Pillman and Darby Allin for their respective family struggles. His much-anticipated verbal joust with CM Punk stirred quite a buzz, as well. An old-fashioned, chicken-shit heel, MJF blends the right amount of humor into his vitriol, entertaining us while we pray that somebody punches him in the face.
1. nZo
If you’re not following the former Enzo Amore on Twitter, you probably haven’t seen his promos this year.
Well, the “Smack-talker Skywalker” is still elite on the mic, but now he has a chip on his shoulder. Seemingly blackballed from the major leagues (aside from MLW, of course), nZo has been working hard to get back in the spotlight. Promoting various matches on the indie scene, he films these short clips in unique locations, spitting that hot fire.
Ahead of a casket match with Jerry Lawler, nZo blasted “The King” in several hilarious videos, repeatedly mentioning his near-death experience. You also never know when the manic Jersey boy will break out into song, but rest assured he’ll tie it back into whatever he’s yapping about. His greatest promo was before his MLW debut, “When like Alec Baldwin, you realize, you’re dealing with a real one.”
Perhaps more fans will have the opportunity to hear nZo in 2022.
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