10 Charismatic Wrestlers Who Nailed the Mic but Fell Short in the Ring

There are many different ways that a wrestler can make an impact in the business, be that in WWE or any other company, and one of those is through having great mic skills. Cutting a convincing promo or an entertaining backstage segment is crucial for those wanting to reach the industry’s top. This is how people connect with fans and build emotions into their storylines.

However, no matter how entertaining a segment is, everything in wrestling boils down to the in-ring aspect. While wrestlers can be stronger on the mic, such as The Rock, people still expect them to be good at wrestling. Over the years, some have put too much focus on their promos and ended up lacking in-ring skills, which not everyone can pull off.

Her Singing Gimmick Got Extreme Levels Of Heat

Jillian Hall
Jillian Hall’s Notable Runs WWE (2003-2010)
Jillian Hall’s WWE Accomplishments WWE Divas Champion (1x)

Jillian Hall was talented in the entertainment aspect of the business. She was able to get a reaction from an audience regardless of what was happening. She knew how to rile up a crowd, and that was clear in many of the roles she undertook during her spell with WWE.

Hall’s singing character was the best example of this, as the character was all about her ability on the mic. The singing was intentionally bad, and that is a level of skill that few wrestlers are able to reach. Unfortunately, her in-ring skills weren’t good enough for her to get a big push.

Elias Could Draw Huge Heat With His Concert Segments

Audiences Often Lost Interest In His Matches

Elias’ Notable Runs WWE (2014-2023)
Elias’ WWE Accomplishments WWE 24/7 Champion (4x)

Elias was someone who could draw bigger reactions than most people in WWE when it came to his promos. Whether he was working as a heel and getting the fans to boo or building them up to cheer him on, Elias knew how to make people react to him.

The level of response he could draw from a crowd was at a main event level, which is why he was always booked on shows. However, his in-ring ability couldn’t match it, which is why he was never given many opportunities at titles.

Santino Marella Played The Comedic Role Perfectly

He Was Given Limited Opportunities Inside The Ring

Santino Marella as US Champion
Santino Marella’s Notable Runs
  • WWE (2005-2016)
  • TNA (2023-Present)
Santino Marella’s WWE Accomplishments
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion (2x)
  • WWE United States Champion (1x)
  • WWE Tag Team Champion (1x)
  • Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal Winner (2009)

Santino Marella is one of the funniest wrestlers in WWE history, and that’s because he had so much charisma to offer. He’s part of some classic segments, but his in-ring abilities were limited in comparison to others during his era.

Marella was a better wrestler than WWE allowed him to be because his character restricted him to what he could do. However, his promo skills carried him through, creating a legendary career that few will forget.

Sandman Captivated Fans With His Personality

His In-Ring Work Was Often Sloppy

Sandman Ring Entrance
The Sandman’s Notable Runs
  • ECW (1992-1998; 1999-2001)
  • WCW (1998-1999)
  • WWE (2005-2007)
  • TNA (2003-2004; 2010; 2019)
The Sandman’s ECW Accomplishments
  • ECW World Heavyweight Champion (5x)
  • ECW World Tag Team Champion (1x)

Sandman is an iconic wrestling figure, and someone who did lots of great work during his time in ECW. His in-ring technique was never overly polished, with Sandman bringing a brawling style and tons of attitude which is something that led to plenty of success.

However, when it came to his ability on the microphoe he certainly knew how to draw attention to himself. Whether it was a captivating backstage interview or a an in-ring segment, Sandman would get people interested in his angles.

He Had Audiences Eating Out Of His Hands When He Spoke

Enzo Amore as the WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
Enzo Amore’s Notable Runs WWE (2012-2018)
Enzo Amore’s WWE Accomplishments WWE Cruiserweight Champion (2x)

Enzo Amore is one of the greatest talkers to have stepped into the ring in the modern era. His gift of the gab served him well throughout his career because he was incredibly entertaining. Whether he was pulling out catchphrases for people to chant along with or cutting people down with his one-liners, Amore thrived on the microphone.

Inside the ring, things started to slow down for Amore, as he wasn’t able to back up everything he said. He was limited as an in-ring talent, and that’s one of the reasons he couldn’t kick on.

Jinder Mahal Has Often Proven Himself On The Mic

His Matches Were Typically Average

Jinder Mahal’s Notable Runs WWE (2010-2014; 2016-2024)
Jinder Mahal’s WWE Accomplishments
  • WWE Champion (1x)
  • WWE United States Champion (1x)
  • WWE 24/7 Champion (2x)

Jinder Mahal has had a rollercoaster career in professional wrestling filled with immense highs and real lows, having been released by WWE twice. His in-ring work was always rather basic, so his matches never kicked into the next gear to become overly exciting.

However, Mahal was a gifted talker and always managed to showcase his charisma. He was compelling in 3MB and brought lots of energy, while he also thrived as a heel at getting great heat whenever he spoke. The fact he was able to hold his own against the likes of The Rock on the microphone proved his talent.

Matt Striker Was Always Entertaining On The Mic

He Eventually Transitioned To Being A Commentator

Matt Striker In ECW
Matt Striker’s Notable Runs
  • WWE (2005-2013)
  • Impact Wrestling (2021-2022)
Matt Striker’s Notable Commentary Work
  • WWE ECW (2008-2009)
  • WWE SmackDown (2009-2011)
  • WWE PPVs (2008-2011)
  • Impact Wrestling (2021-2022)
  • Impact PPVs (2021)

When audiences think of Matt Striker, they tend to think of his career as a commentator, which he was actually underrated at. He was placed in that position because of his charisma and energy, which was always the case whenever he was given promo time.

Striker was never pushed too much throughout his career due to his in-ring skills, as they were basic. Striker never set the world alight inside the ring, but his promos were certainly good.

Few Fans Recall His Matches

Brad Maddox as Raw GM (1)
Brad Maddox’s Notable Runs WWE (2008-2015)
Brad Maddox’s Authority Figure Roles
  • WWE Raw Assistant Managing Supervisor (February 2013-July 2013)
  • WWE Raw General Manager (July 2013-May 2014)

Brad Maddox was always able to get heat from the crowd due to his promo skills, and that’s one of the reasons WWE relied on him so heavily when he was in the company. He was put in significant storylines and given lots of mic time because that was his strength.

People recall him in his authority figure role, but most fans don’t remember his in-ring work. Maddox was average as a wrestler, which stopped him from making any real progression outside of his initial run.

He Wasn’t As Skilled Inside The Ring

Buff Bagwell
Buff Bagwell’s Notable Runs
  • WCW (1991-2001)
  • WWE (2001)
  • TNA (2002-2003; 2006)
Buff Bagwell’s WCW Accomplishments WCW World Tag Team Champion (5x)

Buff Bagwell was a memorable talent from the Monday Night Wars because he was often given television time, but that was mainly due to the entertainment factor. Bagwell was confident on the microphone, especially during his spell in WCW.

Inside the ring his work was limited, which was evident during his match against Booker T when WCW first appeared on WWE television. He was able to hold his own, but the matches were never overly entertaining or complex.

David Otunga Took On Various Broadcast Roles

His In-Ring Career Was Forgettable

David Otunga’s Notable Runs WWE (2008-2019)
David Otunga’s WWE Accomplishments WWE Tag Team Champion (2x)

David Otunga is best remembered for his incredible physique, which remains one of the most impressive in wrestling history. But his in-ring work was basic and that led to all of his matches being flat and forgettable.

However, on the microphone Otunga had plenty of confidence and that led to some compelling promos when he was in a heel position pushing his experience in law.

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