WWE: The Best Promo Workers of 2011

Who doesn't love a good promo in professional wrestling?

While we like to think that wrestling and stories are the main reasons why we watch it, there's no question that a good promo can make any fan love the show they are watching.

In 2011, we were treated to numerous genius promos being cut.

We had company backlash, great comedy sketches and, of course, some verbal beat downs thrown by one competitor to another.

We should all be able to look back and think about the men that spoke the words that moved us, touched our hearts and got us out of our seats, all at the same time.

I present to you, the list of the top ten best promo cutters of 2011.

This list is made of up of those who cut numerous promos that were entertaining and real—one good promo wasn't enough to make the grade.

Honorable Mentions

John Cena: I wasn't too impressed with John Cena's promos in 2011, other than the one I've posted.  The year was one of the most cookie-cutter years for Cena on the microphone.  If it wasn't for this promo, I would have left him off the list completely.

Sheamus: One guy that really doesn't get the credit he deserves for talking, Sheamus can deliver some strong words.  What makes it so great, now, is that he's a face, which makes him calling somebody Fella that much more entertaining.

Santino: Come on.  Every time the guy opens his mouth it's hilarious.  For that reason alone he gets at least a mention.

Edge

The opening slot goes to a man who deserves to be recognized.

Edge is one of the greatest of all-time when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd. 

A week after successfully defending his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 27 against Alberto Del Rio, Edge delivered the most powerful promo of his career.

Except this promo was far different than any other promo he has cut throughout his career.

This time, Edge broke character and spoke from the heart.  Listening to Adam Copeland deliver his farewell address to the WWE Universe made for one of the saddest, yet happiest, moments of 2011.

Sad because we were losing one of the greatest Superstars of all-time.  Happy because Edge was able to retire on his own terms and soon enough that he would no longer be at risk of severely injuring his neck to a point where he may never walk again.

Edge makes this list because of his legacy on the mic and how emotional of a moment this video was for everybody who got the chance to witness it.

Zack Ryder

I'm going to give Ryder the nod here mostly because of what he can do with the limited amount of time he's been given to speak. Also, he gets a nod for his Youtube show, which shows he can speak when given the chance.

Even in this video Ryder barely speaks for a minute, if that.

Ryder is one of the fastest rising stars in the WWE.  He's gone from jobber to internet sensation to United States Champion within a calendar year.

Potential is the key to any Superstar's success and Ryder has more potential than any other member of the WWE roster. 

The man can speak, let him loose.

Christian

Oh, Christian.  How you deserved so much better than losing the title after five—technically two—days of holding your first World Heavyweight title.

Always quick with the words, Christian proved time and time again this past year why he's one of the best the company has to offer on the microphone.

This moment in particular was up there with that of Edge's retirement speech.  It didn't hurt that these two long-time, real-life best friends were connected to each other during the final months of Edge's career.

Christian can pull off a face and he can pull off a heel.

No matter what the man is doing, he has success with it.

Triple H

Still one of the best in the business, Triple H had a roller coaster year in the WWE.

He went from challenging Undertaker's illustrious streak at WrestleMania to becoming a suit on camera in the form of Chief Operating Officer and back to wrestler again, taking on and pummeling his best friend Kevin Nash.

Beyond that, in Hunter's role as COO, he had the opportunity to showcase why he's one of the best talkers in the industry.

No wonder why the guy got a job behind the scenes, using his words to negotiate and work with other superstars. 

Although he wasn't around very often, Triple H can not only pull off the wrestler persona, but also the head-honcho role and play it to perfection.

The Miz

Often repetitive, The Miz is still one of the best in the business at talking up a storm. 

Really? Really? Really? Really?

That's essentially how all of his promos begin, which can be irritating at times. 

Yet, Miz has the ability to make anybody hate him just by opening his mouth. 

He's cocky, arrogant and manages to attempt to make himself a victim every chance he gets.

He's a classic heel on the mic, backing it up every chance he gets.  His interaction with the crowd, when he wants to, has the makings of great public speaking.

Miz has an upper hand from his experience on a reality show, but that's no reason to knock the guy for being able to fire off words, which seems as easy as breathing to Miz.

Cody Rhodes

Lisp and all, Cody Rhodes has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the best workers in the WWE.

Not only has he elevated his game inside the ring, Rhodes' masked character allowed him to create a voice for himself, something he had been lacking in recent years.

Rhodes went from the third-best member of the three-person stable known as Legacy, alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase, to one of the best on the entire WWE roster.

We've knocked Rhodes for his lack of public speaking abilities, but, in 2011, Rhodes shattered all of that with a simple broken nose.

Who would have thought this time last year Rhodes would be as big as he is now?

Wade Barrett

Since the day Wade Barrett led the Nexus onto the scene at WWE, he's shown over and over exactly why he won the inaugural season of NXT.

Aside from his great wrestling ability, Barrett is one of the smoothest talkers in the company.

Combined with his accent, words come easy to the former Bare Knuckle Fighter, making for a very intimidatingly convincing heel.

Barrett is hot off the heels of taking out Randy Orton. 

Now, he's looking to make his mark on SmackDown permanently. 

Look for Wade Barrett to continue his dominance in 2012.

The Rock

What's there to say about the man who says it all?

The Rock's return sparked up some of the greatest conversations the WWE Universe. 

Aside from his appearances on Raw in person, Rock has given us some wonderful video promos attacking John Cena, The Miz and R-Truth.

Always known for the quick tongue and willingness to say whatever he wants, Rocky's return this year has brought us some of the best promos of 2011, whether it was live or via satellite.

As we move closer to WrestleMania, look for the very charismatic Rock to deliver some more great word play before he encounters Cena in Miami.

CM Punk

What's left to say that hasn't already been said about the year that CM Punk had in 2011?

I won't even try to do the man justice or reiterate what's been said about Punk since that magical day in June, where the WWE was turned upside down for so many reasons.

This promo was only the tipping point for Punk's rise to the top.  He went from a little-used mid-card, stable leader to WWE Champion in 2011—all thanks to the company's willingness to let the best talker in the world do what he does best: talk.

Punk is just getting started when it comes to being the best in the business. 

His matches are great, his promos are gold and his following is growing faster as the days go by.

Punk is a master with words, but even with all his accomplishments on the microphones, he loses out to the next man on the list.

R-Truth

You'd be hard pressed to find a guy who has any many golden speaking moments as heel R-Truth has had this past year.

Since turning heel on John Morrison for taking away his WWE title opportunity before Extreme Rulez, Truth has completely elevated his game.

Once a generic rapper gimmick, R-Truth is now one of the funniest, off-the-chain Superstars in the WWE.

Who hasn't laughed hysterically during more than one R-Truth promo in 2011? I, for one, have lost count of the number of times my sides hurt from laughing at this man. 

R-Truth is the man on the mic of the year.  No ifs, ands or buts about it.