Better entertainer than wrestler

[dlg3000]

A wrestling entertainer doesn't have to be the best wrestler, but can work a crowd is competent on the mic at least, be at least somewhat charismatic, and other factors which would make him or her entertaining. For example, Velvet Sky is a better entertainer than a wrestler in my eyes. I like her more now than I used to as she rubbed me the wrong way and is terrible as a babyface imo. However, she is a better overall entertainer as she can work a crowd, speak well on the mic, and can sell pretty well. She has improved as a wrestler, or has at least gotten her stride as a wrestler. However, she is much better as an entertainer imho. Whether or not you agree with VS, who do you think is a better entertainer than wrestler?

[eDemento2099]

ROH fans will crucify me for this, but I'd say CM Punk. He has a unique character and is decent in the ring, but he's not the tremendous wrestler people make him out to be. He may be great in WWE, but that's because they're standards for what constitute 'wrestlers' have really dropped over the last several years.

Same goes for John Cena, except he's even less talented a wrestler than CM Punk. I admire him in terms of what he's done for charities, though.

[NOwave]

Oh, man, there are lots! In fact, I might suggest that there are MORE good entertainers than pure wrestlers among the biggest names in the sport. The list of terrific wrestlers who are also terrific entertainers is short, indeed. And for better or worse, the list of good-to-great wrestlers who aren't that good as entertainers is long.

Better Entertainers than Wrestlers:

1. Hulk Hogan-this list has to start here. While is a competent worker when need be,(check out some of his work in Japan) in his prime he had immense charisma, and held audiences in the palm of his hand.

2. Dusty Rhodes-again, not a bad worker when he needed to be, but his working man persona was SO good that it overshadowed his in-ring ability.

3. The Rock-same story-adequate, if simplistic worker, but brilliant entertainer-maybe the best talker ever. Easily the best crossover to mainstream movies from the wrestling world.


Better Wrestlers than Entertainers:(this list is very long, so I'll just mention a few of my favorites)

1. Bret Hart-I know this is arguable, and I agree he became MUCH stronger on the mic as his got older, but Bret is the poster child for a great worker for whom talking came second.

2. Bobby Eaton-it's been said by his opponents many times: working with Bobby was like having the night off. But, as smooth as he was in the ring, he never was much of a talker. In fact, he seemed to take pride in the fact that he didn't say much.

3. Lance Storm-good athlete and technically sound wrestler, but not much on the mic. Got better as his career progressed.


Both great Wrestler and Entertainer:(this is the shortest list)

1. Ric Flair-the best combination of worker and talker there's ever been. Worked heel or face with equal aplomb, and could switch from one to the other on a dime, taking his audience with him every time.

2. Randy Savage-right behind Flair-another terrific athlete and worker who had a tremendous persona. Randy oozed intensity, and played perhaps the greatest "near-psycho" role of any wrestler ever.

3. Stone Cold Steve Austin-another great worker, although injuries slowed him as his career progressed. His working man hero/tough guy role drew the highest ratings and PPV buys in wrestling history.

[Schemer]

Add Chris Jericho to number 4 on your Great Wrestler and Entertainer list and it's a good fit.

[TOK Hehe'd Around & Found Out]

Jun 4, 2011 11:59:44 GMT -5 eDemento2099 said:

ROH fans will crucify me for this, but I'd say CM Punk. He has a unique character and is decent in the ring, but he's not the tremendous wrestler people make him out to be. He may be great in WWE, but that's because they're standards for what constitute 'wrestlers' have really dropped over the last several years.

Punk isn't all about holds and flashy moods, but is amazing with ring psychology. Also, he didn't use the martial arts style he does now. He was much more traditional in ROH.

[Ultimo Chocula]

Jun 4, 2011 18:25:31 GMT -5 TOK Hehe'd Around & Found Out said:

Jun 4, 2011 11:59:44 GMT -5 eDemento2099 said:

ROH fans will crucify me for this, but I'd say CM Punk. He has a unique character and is decent in the ring, but he's not the tremendous wrestler people make him out to be. He may be great in WWE, but that's because they're standards for what constitute 'wrestlers' have really dropped over the last several years.

Punk isn't all about holds and flashy moods, but is amazing with ring psychology. Also, he didn't use the martial arts style he does now. He was much more traditional in ROH.

He was average then too. Punk has always gotten over on hype predominantly. Truth be told, if he didn't have the gimmick or the charisma, he'd be no better off than Evan Bourne.

[Pervy Stone Cold]

Jake Roberts, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Big Show

[DiBiase is Good]

Road Dogg. Had charisma and was very good on the mic but although he wasn't awful in the ring, he wasn't memorable for his in-ring work.

[salsashark]

Roddy Piper all the way. Love, love, love his character and promos and style but I remember thinking his match style is so dull. Then again, I started watching wrestling in late '95 and by then, he was in WCW feuding with Hogan soonthereafter and I started dreading their matches.

[MolotovMocktail]

His WCW days are more of a "prime" thing than a lack of talent. But I somewhat agree: Piper wasn't a terrible worker, but he wasn't a great one as much as he just had great chemistry with a lot of different people. You might say the same thing about Austin too.

Hogan and Warrior are the two that immediately come to mind.

[Throwback]

["Nature Boy" Ric Moranis]

Jesse Ventura and Superstar Graham both come to mind as entertainers. Both of them would cut AMAZING interviews, so amazing that it made it almost forgivable (at least to me) that they were so awful in the ring.

They could both sell tickets with a mic, even though you knew the match was probably gonna be terrible. And it was okay, because they were so entertaining.

[thegame415]

I came to say Hogan. He's not a horrible wrestler, and there are many guys worse. However, his character and charisma made him so great.

[eDemento2099]

Definitely Kevin Nash. He's a funny dude, but his ring work makes me think of him as "Big Lazy."

[Crappler El 0 M]

Jun 5, 2011 15:24:12 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

Road Dogg. Had charisma and was very good on the mic but although he wasn't awful in the ring, he wasn't memorable for his in-ring work.

Was going to mention him. He was very charismatic and could work the mic. I always thought he was very limited in the ring, but went back and watched some of his work as the Roadie and The Real Double J and he was better than I remembered.

[Pervy Stone Cold]

The Miz. 6/10 wrestling ability and 7.5/10 charisma maybe?

[Deleted]

[agent817]

Jun 5, 2011 17:05:23 GMT -5 Throwback said:

I could not begin to say how much I marked for this guy. Yes, the guy was a crappy wrestler, but seriously, I thought he was so freakin' entertaining.

[Danimal]

Jun 5, 2011 22:08:23 GMT -5 agent817 said:

Jun 5, 2011 17:05:23 GMT -5 Throwback said:

I could not begin to say how much I marked for this guy. Yes, the guy was a crappy wrestler, but seriously, I thought he was so freakin' entertaining.

IMO he was handled poorly, first they overpushed him then he got in trouble and had to sell a DDT from Hornswoggle, came back to do a little bit on ECW then got ditched.

Should've recognized what he was from the start, a gimmick midcarder, but an over gimmick midcarder. He should still have a place in WWE, just not a high one. There are plenty of ways you could use him-fun feuds, a tagteam with a better wrestler, fun backstage stuff, etc.

[Triwizard Champion]