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While a wrestler's in-ring abilities are his most prized possession, there's no denying that having great promo cutting skills is equally important. Charisma, personality, and individuality are not just words, but important aspects of a performer's capability to get the audience gravitated towards him.
Both John Cena and Randy Orton are veterans of WWE, but what separates them is Cena's ability to show passion and connection with the crowd through his promos. One can master thousand submission holds, but in the industry which has the word "Entertainment" in it, the real winner is one who can draw thousands just by his mere words.
Like it or not, the best talkers rule the wrestling world. Here are the five best trash talkers who redefined the art of destroying their opponents without even having to touch them.
Honourable Mentions: Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, Roddy Piper, Triple H, The Miz
#5 Rick Rude
What I'd like to have right now is for all you fat, out of shape, San Francisco sweathogs to keep the noise down while I take my robe off and show all the ladies what a real man is supposed to look like.
One of the greatest wrestlers never to win a world title in WWE, "Ravishing" Rick Rude is considered as one of the most loved villains of all time. There have been a lot of better talker than Rude, but none of them could carve a reputation in such a short tenure that Rude did.
His feud with Jake Roberts stands second only to all-time greats like Hogan-Andre or Austin-Vince. With natural charisma and undeniable attitude, Rick Rude could connect with and annoy the fans with ease. He oozed confidence and arrogance every time he cut a promo, and his personality was enough to intimidate any newcomer in the industry.
Had it not been for his career-threatening back injury, Rick Rude would've gone on to become the most over heel in all of wrestling history. He was deservedly inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017.
#4 Chris Jericho
You know, I am still feeling the effects from that vicious gore last week. And you're right! I have never beaten Rhyno; but....at Summerslam, I'm gonna take care of that smelly, greasy, nasty animal (Stephanie McMahon)..and I'm gonna get to you too Rhyno!
How many wrestlers can get a sheet of paper over with wrestling fans, and that too in 2017?
Chris Jericho did it effortlessly. Jericho is one of the most exciting Superstars to have graced a wrestling ring. Be it a heel or a babyface, Y2J has always found a way to put down his opponents, both literally and figuratively.
His insults towards Stephanie McMahon were highly entertaining and set him up as the poster boy of the company. From his feuds with The Rock to CM Punk, Jericho has always managed to hold his ground and surpass the all-time greats of the industry.
"The Gift/List of Jericho," "Stupid Idiot," and "The best in the world at what I do" are a few of his catchphrases that got the crowd cheering for him. Even at 48, Jericho doesn't seem to have missed a beat and can give younger talent a run for their money, both in the ring and on the microphone.
#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin
You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere! Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16... Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!
When you think about Attitude Era, only one name comes to mind - Stone Cold Steve Austin. The sole reason WWE could win the Monday Night Wars against WCW was the presence of The Texas Rattlesnake. One of the most polarizing figures in wrestling history, Austin had the uncanny ability to outshine anyone who stood in his path.
Stone Cold wasn't the most technically gifted performer on the roster, but his style, persona, and exceptional mic skills made up for it. From his legendary 3:16 promo on Jake Roberts to his verbal altercations against The Rock and Vince McMahon, Austin was enough to carve his image as the "baddest SOB on the planet."
There was no better scene than to watch a man come on his ATV, handing people with stunners, and chugging cans of beer with pointing his middle finger to the crowd. Even after 15 years post his retirement, his "WHAT?" chants are still used by the WWE Universe.
#2 Ric Flair
You’re talking to the Rolex wearing, diamond ring wearing, kiss stealing, whoo! wheelin dealin’, limousine riding, jet flying son of a gun and I'm having a hard time holding these alligators down!
Ric Flair was one of the introducers of trash talking. During the 80s, when trash talking was no such thing, Flair had already perfected his craft. There were not many wrestlers who could rip apart their opponents just with their words; Flair used to do it with ease.
Flair was one of the few superstars who are impressive both in the ring and on the microphone. The Nature Boy was a bonafide villain who could generate genuine heat from the crowd. The reason WWE still advertises him on a sporadic basis is his persona which can still woo (pun intended) the WWE Universe.
#1 The Rock
The Rock is back to scratch a major itch so enjoy your Fruity Pebbles you yabba dabba bitch! The Rock, will address you in these eyes you'll be lookin', and in that exact moment, you'll smell what The Rock is cookin!
A few managed to come close, but there were no wrestlers as charismatic and smooth on the microphone as The Rock. From mentioning himself in the third person to cutting vicious promos on the who's who of the business, The Great One redefined the art of connecting with the WWE fans.
The gift of gab that The Rock possessed was unparalleled. No one could outdo his promos, and at one point you start feeling bad for the victim be it Triple H or John Cena. You know how great of a mic worker someone is when words like "Fruity Pebbles" and "Poontang Pie" get loud cheers from the crowd.
The Rock and trash talking go hand in hand, and when any mention of trash talking comes to mind, one can't help but think of The People's Champ.
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