10 Greatest Promos In Modern Wrestling History

8. Dr. Britt Baker Becomes A Star

Cody Rhodes AEW
AEW

Dr. Britt Baker floundered as the "She's a dentist too, guys!" character upon AEW's launch because it was forced and she was almost too admirable. She was superior to the fanbase, and this aspect clicked to a transformative degree when she turned heel.

It was a transformation. She became a world-class heel overnight when she was given promo time to go out there and become a star. That she did in an unbelievable performance overflowing with brilliant, attentive detail.

It was great before she even said a word.

She emerged from the heel tunnel and, thoroughly deluded, clasped her hands to her heart in appreciation of a crowd reaction she only heard in her head. She embraced Tony Schiavone only to tell him, the most experienced broadcaster in wrestling, where he should stand. Asked to explain her actions - she had ripped Yuka Sakazaki's "mandibular second molar" from her mouth the week prior - she rolled her eyes, bemoaned Tony's stupid question and negged his old menial job, and spoke in medical jargon to convey that superiority.

She then - and this was fantastic - asked the crowd to give it up for Schiavone, who was "trying so hard" and "killing it", as if he had wandered out of Starbucks to try his hand at interviewing without first becoming a legend in the field.

She finally acknowledged the real crowd reaction and said that she saw "a lot of confusion in these chubby WhatABurger faces," a brilliant location-specific insult that elicited white hot heat.

A great promo sells a match; something even better makes a star.

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!