9 Promos That Killed Wrestlers' Careers

Speaking on the mic is an integral part of becoming a big-time superstar, and it's important to know if a young talent has the verbal skills necessary to make it in the business. To figure out whether the rookies on NXT were destined to become the next Rock -- or deserved a mime gimmick -- the judges devised an exercise that forced them to create an impromptu promo about a random subject.

Unfortunately for Eli Cottonwood, this exercise would not only expose his Achilles' heel, but slice it open and let it bleed out all over the mat.

The word the seven-foot lovechild of Kane and the Great Khali drew was "mustache". What came next is one of the most cringeworthy promos to occur this side of Jumpin' Jeff Farmer.

First, Cottonwood explains what a mustache is. Then he explains that he doesn't have a mustache, nor does anyone else in the ring. Then he says that "a mustache is for a real man" before clarifying that he does have a good mustache and that he could grow an even better one in a couple of days. Presumably, because he's a real man.

A real mustache man.

Not surprisingly, Cottonwood would be the next rookie eliminated from competition, and this promo ensured his career would be crushed before it ever took off.