The Deadman and his underrated mic skills It takes a lot to be a WWE superstar. They must have the charisma, wrestling ability, passion and microphone work to make it in the professional wrestling industry.While the wrestling part of the industry is extreme and very taxing on their body, the rare skill to capture the audience with words isn’t easy. To CM Punk, Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock and John Cena, it all came naturally. They were always able to talk on the microphone without a care in the world. Since their characters were simply themselves, the exaggerated versions of each WWE legend worked for the audience.However, there is a slew of WWE legends that weren’t appreciated for their mic work. Normally, when a WWE star is in the main event, the mic work normally comes with it. Unless they have a manager like Paul Heyman, they can talk for themselves. Without further ado, here are the top-5 underrated mic workers in WWE history:
#1 Undertaker
The Undertaker is one of the most-polarizing figures in WWE history. For most of his career, he didn’t have to speak to captivate the WWE Universe. Taker’s look, charisma and personality proved enough to become a WWE legend.
When the ‘Phenom’ did speak, his deep and dreary voice were intimidating to his opponents and complemented his character perfectly. At times, the Deadman was simply just that, the deadman. His promos didn’t last long, but when Taker said, “You must rest in peace,” everybody listened and turned their attention to him. Not to mention his entrance and attire made the Phenom come full circle.
The promo above is a rare one featuring the Undertaker, in which he did break kayfabe. Taker addressed the bookings of Vince McMahon and why he was the “slayer of the dragons.” In this segment, Undertaker displayed a passion for the industry and didn’t shy away with his words. This was after his darkness period of the WWE. It included the sentence, “Vince McMahon didn’t want someone like the Undertaker representing the WWF.”
He then talked about his loyalty to the business. The Phenom showed a different side that night, and his microphone skills were quickly realized that night.
#2 Kane
Kane’s career in the WWE has continued to create controversy, while at the same time, showing off his exceptional talent on the microphone.
When he first debuted, Kane was the monster from hell. He debuted to feud with his on-screen brother, the Undertaker, and Kane never looked back. While in the WWE, he has had to acclimate himself to the new era of wrestling fans and evolve as a character. Due to that, the WWE Universe has seen the original Kane, the Big Red Monster, Demon Kane, Unmasked Kane, Corporate Kane and Split Personality Kane.
Since becoming the Director of Operations, Kane has revealed his masterful mic skills to the world and he’s never sounded better. Like it was mentioned above, there’s something to like about ‘Split Personality Kane’. It’s different, unique and gives the former-World Heavyweight champion a new direction to go in. In this specific segment, Kane is seen talking to Steph McMahon and Triple H.
When Kane is speaking, the sarcasm is heard, as well as the corny overtone. Before he was this character, he spoke like a deep and dreary character. Now, Kane is an enthusiastic employee that is able to showcase his skill and diversity on the microphone. Plus, the moment he slapped the hand of McMahon was the work of a genius.
#3 Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy wasn’t known as the best microphone worker. The North Carolina-native stunned the WWE Universe with his extreme lifestyle and move-set in the ring.
Alongside his brother Matt Hardy, the Hardy Boyz quickly became known for their high-risk move set and feuds with the Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian are the stuff of legends. Their ladder matches and TLC matches revolutionized tag-team wrestling. When Hardy started his singles’ career, he was forced to work the microphone.
Like any true superstar, Hardy was not appreciated for his microphone skills. His feud with CM Punk solidified that claim, especially when they brought in Hardy’s past with drugs. The Enigma didn’t disappoint.
This was Hardy’s last feud in the company. He ended up losing to CM Punk in a ‘Winner Leaves WWE” match. He was never known as the speaker of the people. Just by listening to the crowd, Hardy was one of the most-over guys in the WWE without speaking a lot. That’s the antithesis of the Miz, or superstars that could talk themselves into the building each night.
Despite his shortcoming on the microphone, this promo is easily his best in the WWE. He engaged the crowd, showcased his anger, displayed perfect facial expressions and used some real emotion to carry the segment. This was also in a segment against two of the best mic workers in WWE history. Hardy held his own and capatilized on a good situation.
#4 Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels may be one of the greatest in-ring performers in WWE history. There’s a sole reason why he’s in the WWE Hall of Fame. Michaels put everything on the line each night to entertain the WWE Universe.
Even when he left in-ring competition in the late-90’s, Michaels came back a few years later with a chip on his shoulder. Although, not many WWE fans talk about his skills on the microphone, Michaels had the innate ability to speak to the WWE Universe with passion and heart. Not many can say the same, but Michaels was himself in the squared circle and on the stick. Thankfully, he had a long career and occasionally makes appearances on WWE TV till date.
Shawn Michaels was the master at showing passion on the microphone, and the above video is a perfect example of that. Despite it being when Michaels was retired, he was the referee at WrestleMania 28 between the Undertaker and Triple H. Taker egged Michaels on by calling him a failure and a loser. Obviously, this set HBK off and the two had a very heated battle of words in the ring.
Taker is also on this list, simply due to the diversity and the realism they dragged out during this segment. Just by listening to HBK’s words, you could realise he meant every word. That’s the sign of a truly spectacular speaker.
#5 Randy Orton
This one is a controversial pick, but Randy Orton has cemented his legacy in the WWE. Not only that, but the multi-time WWE champion will enter the WWE Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done.
The third-generation wrestler picked it up quite easily. Like the adage reads, wrestling is in Orton’s genes. That’s why the Apex Predator makes it look so easy. Just like his RKO to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31, the move looked simple and he executed it with ease. However, WWE fans don’t appreciate his microphone work.
While a heel, Orton is one of the best in the business. Take his Legend Killer days as a good example. When he played the sadistic heel, not many could match Orton in a battle of the promos. Then, when he turned face, people would call him “Randy Borton.” As in, they thought Orton was very boring. Truly listening to his promos is a good indication as to how good he really is.
For the Viper, it depends on what character he is playing. When it’s a babyface, Orton can’t cut it like Cena or Punk can. When Orton’s a nasty heel, then his microphone skills go through the roof.
Nobody was more hated than Randy Orton during the late-2000’s. While he was the WWE champion most of it, the fact that he defeated HHH and John Cena at WrestleMania proved he belonged. The above promo was during his heel run. Like it was noted above, Orton was surreal on the microphone as a heel. This promo also came at a time where he had vigor, confidence and belief in the words he was speaking.
It wasn’t as if this promo was scripted, or even rehearsed backstage. The WWE Universe believed Randy Orton, who was speaking from his chest. This is why Orton rounds out the list of the most-underrated microphone workers in WWE history.
