10 Best Wrestling Talkers Of 2018

5. Zack Sabre, Jr.

Chris Jericho Intercontinental
New Japan World

What's ironic about Zack Sabre, Jr., who evidently loathes the old empire, middle England mentality that is ruining his home country right now , is that he is bloody British: just a great, great, technical wrestler - no less a genius than Daniel Bryan believes Zack has surpassed his pre-WWE body of work - his blend of absurd, deadpan comedy is also unique to these isles.

Speaking to the press following his New Japan Cup win, Zack was in prime, flippant mode. "Okada, you've had a good run. You've been Champion, what, about 17 years?" he said, delighting the new western eyes drawn to the product with his undersold exaggerations. Adding also a very British streak of miserablism to his promo game - one that served his character while at the same time putting himself over as a man destined and entitled to greatness - his withering assessment of NJPW's inability to serve him a cold, crisp continental lager generated wry laughter. "Please don't piss me off," he deadpanned. "Please get me a cold beer." Brits are often polite and mannered in spite of inner dismay.

Sabre, Jr, in combining a stiff striking game with a stiff upper lip, is the best of British.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!