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So, as we all know, talking can sometimes be half the battle in WWE. Both RAW and SmackDown normally begin with a promo every week, and there's usually at least a handful of talking segments on both shows every week.
Many a Superstar has gotten themselves over by simply talking, with Superstars like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin being better remembered for what they said on the stick rather than what moveset they had during their time in the ring.
That being said, is cutting a promo becoming a lost art? I've decided to list the top ten talents in WWE today who can talk people into the building or turn a crowd at the flick of a switch.
There were way too many to mention, too, so I've stuck with active Superstars right now, so there's no room for The Rock, Undertaker or even Chris Jericho - and I have two honourable mentions for Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. If cutting a promo included trash talking in the ring, Owens is number one. No doubt. As for AJ Styles, he's come into his own on the mic in WWE and is obviously a phenomenal all-round star.
While I hated leaving both men out, hopefully at the end, you'll understand why. One more honourable mention who I wanted in the list was Matt Hardy - but I believe Woken Matt Hardy hasn't quite had the desired effect yet, so he sadly misses out.
#10 Bray Wyatt
Whether it be in the middle of the ring or on the Titan Tron, Bray Wyatt's promo style is one of the most unique in WWE today - and he always delivers, even while dressed as Sister Abigail.
They may not always be the easiest to understand or decipher but when they are, they are incredible. Bray Wyatt is one of the few WWE Superstars who never appears out of character on WWE television and, if the booking of his matches was anywhere near the quality of his promos, Wyatt would be firmly at the top of the card.
#9 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is sadly shelved due to injury right now, but he's always come across as one of the most legitimate WWE Superstars due to his uncompromising aggression both in-ring and on the mic.
Samoa Joe recently appeared on an NXT TakeOver pre-show panel where he proved that he could easily transition into a speaking role whenever he decides to hang up his boots - but his most memorable work for me was definitely during his rivalry with Brock Lesnar, where Samoa Joe commanded every segment with incredible confidence.
#8 Braun Strowman
While Braun Strowman is the one man I never wanted to speak in WWE, I'm now glad he has. The Monster Among Men has destroyed everything in sight since appearing on the main roster - but his words have been sparse until recently.
Whenever Strowman has spoken, the world listens as his confidence on the mic and his distinctive voice can cut through just about anything or anyone else on stage. Even when he's been placed in "entertainment" segments, Braun somehow still finds a way to come across as one scary man - as seen in his most recent interaction with Elias.
#7 The New Day
The New Day are the perfect example of WWE Superstars taking lemons and turning them into lemonade. Sure, they're all great in-ring workers in their own right, but has there ever been a group who have gone from obscurity to being one of the biggest merch sellers in such a unique way as The New Day? You've heard of the old saying about Dusty Rhodes "getting the polka dots over" and that couldn't be any more relevant for this trio - unicorns, ice lollies and cereal have been features of their best-selling merch, and their strong promo style even got them a spot hosting WrestleMania!
#6 Elias
Okay, so this may be seen as a bit of an odd one, but let me explain.
Elias starts off every match with a promo - aside from when he entered the Gauntlet Match on RAW - when he appears with no entrance music in the middle of the ring, singing about the town he's in or his opponents.
The Drifter's unique style makes him one of the best as he starts his "promo" as a babyface then turns heel on the crowd midway for comedy effect. Elias is no slouch in the ring, but his way with words has seen sales of Elias t-shirts rocket in recent weeks - and his verbiage has helped strap the rocket to him as a Superstar and place himself at the top of the card on RAW.
#5 John Cena
Love him or hate him, John Cena is definitely one of the best talkers in WWE. He can adapt to crowd chants, he's uncompromising in character and unforgivable when he goes head-to-head with anyone on the mic.
One of the things that makes Cena so great, both in the ring and on the stick, is how long he's spent at the top of the game - and his ability to break the fourth wall.
The 16-time World Champion can barb with the best of them and, as we saw on this week's RAW, reel the crowd in and get a huge reaction - when he calls out The Undertaker, for instance
One of John Cena's most memorable promos for me this year, however, was his ward of words with Roman Reigns - but whether it be Reigns, Styles or Miz, it seems like no-one can go toe-to-toe with Mr Hustle Loyalty Respect on the mic.
#4 The Usos
So, this one may come as a surprise to a few people, but there's no chance they were being left out of the list. The Usos' character change last year surprised many, but it's been their true redemption and made them one of the best tag teams in the world right now.
The current SmackDown Tag Team Champions enter the list at number four, the highest non-individual performers on the list - and that's only fitting as they may be the longest-running tag team in WWE, having never turned on each other.
The Usos "That isn't paranoia, that's the Usos" promos propelled them into the limelight, as well as a notable rap battle on SmackDown Live, and they really have become one of the est things about the blue brand. The chemistry between The Usos is incredible, no doubt being helped by them being twins, but the way they play off each other on the stick is what makes them truly incredible.
#3 The Miz
So, this is where it gets really difficult to split Superstars. Miz is one of the greatest talkers in the industry today and could have undoubtedly took the top spot.
Miz is the kind of star who spent years under the radar, even when he headlined WrestleMania, but the Intercontinental Champion is a true throwback heel with unbelievable passion on the mic. The best thing about Miz though, is he's a heel who can tell the truth and still make everyone hate him.
The Miz's rivalry with John Cena last year saw some of his best work on the microphone, but hes been consistently great for several years. He can play the sneaky bad guy or the passionate champion - and even intertwine both, as well as wrap the crowd around his finger.
In fact, Miz is so good on the mic, he even has his own - an upside down WWE logo for his Miz TV segment.
#2 Alexa Bliss
Again, I REALLY wanted to put Alexa Bliss at the top of the list. No-one can wrap a crowd around their finger like Alexa Bliss, and the RAW Women's Champion's facial expressions are second to none.
She may be the most hate-able heel in WWE today and even managed to perform well in a promo dubbed the worst of all time in the Bayley, This Is Your Life segment. However, Little Miss Bliss' performance at Elimination Chamber well and truly put Bliss at the top of this list and, if not for the person taking the top spot being almost untouchable, Bliss would have definitely taken the top spot.
#1 Paul Heyman
There could only be one. He's the only non wrestler on the list but Paul Heyman could only go to the very top.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is..." is perhaps the most recognisable beginning of any promo in the history of WWE, and Heyman's full spiel always has the entire WWE Universe chanting along.
As the advocate for Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman has played the perfect character in almost every rivalry the current Universal Champion has been part of - and he continues to be one of the most believable promos in WWE today.
Paul Heyman can talk a crowd into the building, and a lot of the WWE Universe have been clamouring for Heyman to become RAW general manager or the mouthpiece for Asuka or Ronda Rousey when Lesnar eventually retires from in-ring action. Not only that, but he can roll with the punches when they come too and never seems to fumble his words.
I hope he stays with WWE as long as possible, because Paul Heyman is probably WWE's biggest asset when it comes to addressing a crowd on the mic.
