The Ten Count 7.05.13: The Top 10 Commentators

One of the very first things you experience when you watch a wrestling event on television is the voice of one of the talents on the commentary table. Any fan of WWE, WCW, or TNA can name the people who speak to them on a weekly basis.

I honestly believe that a commentator can both make and ruin a match. It is important that they have the skills for the job, since their voice is what you will be hearing for most of the match. Unless you watch matches without commentary, which is quite fun sometimes. A good commentator not only does a good job following the action, but is also able to sell the athletes to the people watching the match. Of course something like this comes down to a bit of personal preference. Some people just can’t stand the sound of certain people’s voices or their personalities. This week, we stick with the positive. These are the voices that I believe help a match.

Honorable Mention: Denver Colorado

I wanted to make mention of Denver Colorado, the man, not the place, on this list as he has been fast rising on the independent scene. He mostly commentates for Beyond Wrestling, but also took the table for CZW’s Tournament of Death XII. He is a fun guy to listen to, as his reactions and speech is much like that of a friend sitting next to you. The man does swear during his commentary, but given the promotions he works for, it really isn’t that much of a problem. I have no problem with profanity myself, but I can see how someone would see it as unprofessional. You can also hear his commentary in the Beyond Wrestling All Killers that I have been reviewing lately. PLUG

10. Vincent Kennedy McMahon

This choice is complete nostalgia for me. I started watching pro wrestling around 1993 so his voice was something I got very used to. This was back before he was the power hungry CEO. In his commentary days, he actually played the babyface, always calling out the cheaters and liars. He was also easily excited, getting loud for some of the more over the top action in the ring. There were actually points where it felt like he wasn’t speaking actual words and was instead just making noise. Maybe it made sense to the younger me. He was a great pairing with the heel sympathizers like Bobby Heenan and Jerry Lawler. He had a voice that was so distinct, that no one else has been able to recreate it, which may or may not be a bad thing, depending on your opinion.

9. Dave Prazak

Personally, Dave Prazak isn’t a wrestling personality that I enjoy very much, but the guy has been in the industry for over ten years now, so he has to be doing something right. A lot of those years have been spent behind a microphone speaking to the fans. He has done commentary for Ring of Honor, Shimmer, IWA Mid-South, and quite a few other independent promotions. One of the reason I put him low on the list is that his voice doesn’t change with his heel or face persona. He sounds the same either way. Beyond that, he knows the sport very well does a good job following the action. There are times where he exhibits a charm, so his spot on the list is deserved, even if my opinion of him is against the majority.

8. JBL

JBL got into commentary in a way a lot of people did. He was a former wrestling personality himself, and a pretty good one. He then transferred himself to the commentation station, and he is pretty damn good there too. While he isn’t the greatest with his play by play, he is quite entertaining and has a lot of respect for just about everyone in the business. JBL knows who has a future in the sport, and he isn’t afraid to speak his voice on live television. If you get a vocal sponsorship from a former World Champion like him, it definitely means something. If you hear him praise someone, it is in your best interest to either start paying attention, or do some research.

7. Jerry “The King” Lawler

There are two versions of Jerry Lawler’s commentary. There is the attitude era Lawler who was biased, sexist, and a clown. Then there is the current era Lawler, and while he still makes jokes, is more professional. I feel like I should have two spots on this list for him, but the former personality rings out to me with pure nostalgia. His jokes were usually terrible, but his back and forth with JR was what made it such a joy to listen to. Nowadays, there is a sense of respect you have to have for the man, being on the commentary table for so long. He also makes Michael Cole tolerable, which that itself is quite an accomplishment. I will say his fashion sense has not improved much.

6. Bryce Remsburg

Everyday human by day, senior referee by night, Bryce Remsburg has also lent his voice to the Chikara commentation station for matches he, himself, were not watching over. His fandom for pro wrestling is what makes him so much fun to listen to. You get genuine responses from him when the athletes in the ring are giving it their all. He also loved to include pop culture references in his commentary, which would either fly over your head, or give you an extra chuckle. Remsburg has a style that is reminiscence of the everyday fan, much like if you and a friend commentated a match for fun. Don’t lie, we all did it as kids. He was also very good with anyone he was paired with, which gives him another incentive to be on this list.

5. Mike Tenay

Mike Tenay has been a voice in wrestling for quite a while. Before being employed by TNA Wrestling, he was on the commentary table for WCW. The man has an incredible knowledge for the hobby, and it really shows through his great play by play. He has a knack for delivering information that almost no one else would know. Listening to him talk can be a history lesson, as well as an easy way to follow the matches. Tenay worked well as the straight man against Don West’s excited and sometimes wild personality. Also the man has to work with Tazz every week, and I can only imagine the hell that must be. I do not apologize to any fans of Tazz’s commentary.

4. William Regal

If you haven’t watched NXT in a while, it would be in your best interest to check out an episode or two. Besides some of the underrated matches you will see, you will get to hear the wonderful commentary of William Regal. When you hear him talk, he is always so composed. Maybe it is that British nature. He has a ton of respect for the people in the ring, and it shows through his work. Not only that, but he also shares his knowledge with every fan watching the product. You learn to admire even the smallest maneuver when you hear Regal explain just why it hurts so much. If there is a submission hold out there, you can bet that Regal not only knows it, but knows just how someone should apply it for the maximum effect. I truly believe that listening to Regal will help any fan understand why some people mark out for this hobby.

3. Gorilla Monsoon

Easily one of the most distinct voices on this list, Gorilla Monsoon is well known as the voice of the WWE in both the 80’s and early 90’s. With a style combining the use hyperboles and some deadpan humor, he was able to provide great commentary to some of the most well known matches in pro wrestling history. Admittedly, his commentary was sometimes just as exaggerated as the action in the ring. Monsoon was able to differ himself as a character in a working environment filled with them. He had an odd preference of giving complex names to simple parts of the body. Kisser and breadbasket became normal body parts to fans of the sport back in this era. Some people found it confusing and exaggerated, but in the end, it was just another charming perk of his.

2. Bobby Heenan

Currently a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is quite famous for being a manager to many familiar faces in the wrestling world. He is also known for being probably the best heel sympathizer commentator of all time. He invented a style that would be used for pretty much forever in the industry. He was the kind of guy who some would say went over the line with his jokes and comments. Today they seem kinda trivial, but before Heenan there wasn’t a person who would tease the babyfaces endlessly. He didn’t care who it was. If you were fighting for the people, Heenan was there to make sure his opinion was heard, and he had no qualms if it went against the popular criticisms. Heenan also seemed to be a perfect fit with anyone he sat next to. Whether it was Gorilla Monsoon or Vince McMahon, Heenan was able to counteract their play by play with some of the most colorful commentary there is.

1. Jim Ross

Good Old JR knows his pro wrestling. He also knows BBQ sauce, but I digress. The man is a walking encyclopedia of pro wrestling, and he is not afraid of showing it. His voice has become synonymous with the sport, so much so that a lot of people who don’t follow pro wrestling know who this guy is and what he does. His back and forth banter with Jerry Lawler was a staple during the Attitude Era of Monday Night RAW, a time period many people feel is WWE’s best. His play by play is fantastic, and he also does a great job promoting the talent and matches that deserve it. Even though his voice is rarely heard on the WWE main shows these days, his makes sure his thoughts are heard these days through the ever popular social media networks. I already know that I’m going to get some slack for having JR on the number one spot, so let me explain. Once again I have to pull out the nostalgia card. Jim Ross was at the commentary table for pretty much the entire period of when I was going to elementary and junior high school, a time where I was engulfing myself into the WWE product. Even with that said, the man is talented and has proven that he deserves this spot.

This list, much like my others, is personal preference. Much like taste in comedy, not everyone will agree with how well a commentator can handle a match. I think everyone can agree that some matches are just not the same without hearing a couple of voices following the action. Sometimes voices are not needed, and I am very appreciative of events that have an option of turning the commentary on or off. That being said, I will always have a soft spot for people in this job slot, as it is my dream to someday be there are the commentation station of a wrestling event. You can follow me on twitter right here That’s it for this week, Support Pro Wrestling!

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