10 Things You Learn As A Wrestling Commentator

3. Pick Your Spots To Play Heel

My character is an antagonistic, self-centred, egotistical, vain, horrible d*ck. He's the worst parts of Heenan, Heyman, Hart, Cornette, Slick and J.J Dillon all rolled into one. James R. Kennedy rarely shuts up, and he's prone to cheering on badness as though it's a likeable trait in people.

He's also learned when to shut up about how heelish actions are justifiable.

Watching Paul Heyman's work alongside Jim Ross in 2001 reveals just how good the ex-ECW boss was at playing the wind up. He pushed JR's buttons better than anyone since Jerry Lawler circa 1998, and he'd repeatedly cheerlead for the villains as Ross cried foul. Occasionally though, Heyman wouldn't disagree with his partner.

Instead, he'd press home JR's point and add context to it. He was picking his spots rather than going full pelt for two or three hours as an antagonist. The valuable lesson I learned here is that I shouldn't always side with heels just for the sake of it, but only when it benefits the story.