5 best WWE promos in the PG era

In modern-day WWE, athleticism has taken precedence over storytelling. This phenomenon has resulted in a generation of wrestlers who can perform a number of high-flying moves but struggle to connect with the audience on the microphone.

Vince McMahon's insistence on scripting every line on WWE programming has also played a significant role in reducing the quality of promos.

However, there have been some notable exceptions to the rule as a few performers have managed to break free of their shackles in WWE and cut memorable promos.

Here is a list of what are the 5 best promos of the 'PG' era:

---

#5 Paul Heyman's Chicago classic

Two months removed from CM Punk's WWE departure, Monday Night Raw went to the iconoclastic wrestler's hometown of Chicago. The crowd was discontented with Punk's departure and was preparing to take over the program.

To combat this hostile live audience, Paul Heyman opened the show. The silver-tongued Heyman managed to harness the audience's frustrations and channel them towards Brock Lesnar's program with The Undertaker.

This incredible promo not only set the tone for an incredible episode of Raw but also increased interest in one of WrestleMania 30's marquee matches.

---

#4 WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry's fake retirement

Since he had wallowed in the midcard following his "Hall of Pain" run, establishing Mark Henry as a contender for the WWE Championship in 2013 was a tricky proposition.

However, by the time Money in the Bank came around, the fans were thirsting to see the former Olympian dethrone defending champion John Cena.

To set up the program, Henry interrupted Cena and announced his retirement. Henry brought the audience to tears with a moving promo only to proceed and assault Cena as the scene came to a close.

It was a significant creative misstep not to put the title on Henry following his incredible work on the microphone.

#3 The Rock couldn't box with God:

While CM Punk's run as a babyface WWE champion was exemplary, he was even more entertaining when he turned heel and aligned himself with Paul Heyman.

During this spell, Punk was at his zenith on the microphone and could draw interest in a match against any wrestler on the roster.

The ultimate test of his verbal prowess came during his program with The Rock. While the Fast and Furious star was content to rely on his adolescent jokes, Punk tore through him with material blurring the line between fiction and reality.

While The Rock certainly had the sizzle, Punk had the substance.

---

#2 "The 1 in 21-1"

Once Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WWE WrestleMania 30, it was imperative to capitalize on the moment the following night on Raw.

With the pressure firmly on his shoulders, Paul Heyman stepped up to the plate and delivered yet another masterclass.

The notorious night after WrestleMania crowd vociferously rejected Lesnar and Heyman initially, but some of them were even cheering after the "Mad Scientist of Professional Wrestling" had spun his web.

Heyman used all the right phrases and took some memorable jabs, including a witty dressing down of WWE's sub-par announcers, to make this a promo for the ages.

---

#1 "The Pipebomb" was one of the most influential promos in WWE history

On June 27, 2011, when CM Punk sat down on the ramp and picked up the microphone, little did anyone know that he was about to cut one of the most fondly remembered promos of all time.

Punk echoed the frustrations of a large section of the fanbase and promised to leave Money in the Bank 2011 with the WWE Championship.

The "Pipebomb" promo instantly made the Chicago native one of the company's biggest stars and one of the focal points of the company's programming in the following years.

Punk's ensuing match with John Cena, which earned 5 stars from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, also remains a classic to this day.