What makes a good announcer?

[mhirn3]

Hey guys,

I'm doing PBP for a wrestling company that does dvd's here in Ohio and was just curious what you guys look for in a good announcer? Is it knowing all the moves or being able to tell you anything about the guys?

Just trying to broaden my horizons and try some new stuff and get better. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Tom Guycott]

[The following is an opinion editorial written by Tom Guycott, and not a claim by any authority or professional in any capacity. Any opinions expressed herin are not neccessarily those of TPWW or any wrestling organization, affiliated or unaffiliated.]

My answer to you would be a mixture of the two under the assumption that you're pulling a Joey Styles and providing both play by play and color commentary in spite of what you said.

Your jobs are to both sell the story and put over the guys in the ring. Sure, you don't have to spew verbage to show people "you know all the movez", but it helps to not call everything "that" or "whatamaneuver" or even "sidewalk slam!" If you have an idea of the moveset, you don't sound so much like a tool not being able to actually call what you see.

Why should anyone care about the two men squaring off? Is there backstory? Is this their first meeting? Are they evenly matched? Is one a rookie? Are they former champions? Former friends? Long-time adversaries? Rivals looking to prove themselves?

If the face is a known brawler, mention it. The heel have a penchant to be a high-flier? Are both guys submission specialists? Does one guy have a nagging (kayfabe) injury that's a target for the other guy's finisher?

Again, *why* should I care that the two competitors are beating the hell out of each other, and are they worth my time?

You have to sound like you care- that what's going on IS important. It's one of the reasons someone like JR gets such high cred. I don't just mean voice inflections when something exciting is going on, but alluding to what I mentioned earlier about knowing at least some of their moves and being able to convey the actions and motives of the guys in the squared circle.

Let's use an example here. I'm going to go with Ric Flair (think of him in his prime). If it was your first time seeing him, and even more, one of your first experiences even watching wrestling, how would you know he's "the dirtiest player in the game"? Would you know that he's a bragadocious mat technician, or that he's working the leg of his opponent to apply his "patented Figure Four Leg-lock"?

You're setting up the rules for what we expect from the wrestlers in the match. You don't have to go overboard, just get the point across of who they are and what they do well. Hope I was some help. If you have someone doing color, you have less to worry about, but still need to get across to the audience the abilities of the wrestlers in question. Knowing the moves helps, but knowing "why" the moves makes it more interesting.

[/op ed]

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Are you doing live commentary or is it going to be in a studio after the fact?

[Heisenberg]

And to the OP, good luck on your upcoming PBP.

[XL]

What does any of this have to do with being a good announcer!?

[owenbrown]

Mark Madden sucked and Tank Abbott should have never been in WCW

[Gertner]

Honesty, integrity, honor, loyalty and the fighting spirit.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Hey this was supposed to be about helping mhirn be an announcer. Stfu about Vince Russo and WCW.

[RiX1024]

Tell stories, call moves, good presentation, ability to sell the wrestlers, don't be boring, have a good voice.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Hey guys, I took the liberty of moving all of those stupid posts arguing about Russo into AntiTradition's Very Own Wrestling thread. If you came here looking for that bullshit, go there. If you're here to encourage our thread starter here in his announcing, carry on.

Seriously, guys. Stop being stupid. My apologies to the thread starter.

[Schlomey]

Independent Thought, These are things I like in a commentator:

1. Knowledgeable about moves
2. Knowledgeable about the business
3. Know when to use emotion to get the workers over
4. Does not break kayfabe but does not dwell in it to the point of cheesiness
5. Wear a 10 gallon cowboy hat (not optional)

oh and number 6:
PLEASE DO NOT BE OVERBEARING, ANNOYING AND MOST OF ALL CHEESY/LAME



hope my opinion helps

[mhirn3]

Thanks guys. I've been doing it for about a year/yr and a half now but am always looking to improve so that's why I thought I'd ask your opinions.

Slicky, I am doing it live for the most part at the show. I hate having to do it in post, it takes so much of the emotion out of it.

Here's a couple of the shows we did last yr that I'm trying to get better from(i'm the pbp obviously):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wznoyYU6S4

http://youtu.be/pZupIVpkFDs

[Keith]

Hey guys,

I'm doing PBP for a wrestling company that does dvd's here in Ohio and was just curious what you guys look for in a good announcer? Is it knowing all the moves or being able to tell you anything about the guys?

Just trying to broaden my horizons and try some new stuff and get better. Any help would be much appreciated.

It all starts with being an actual fan of wrestling. If you're a real fan, and you've followed it for any substantial length of time, you're off to a great start.

After that, of course, it's all about paying attention to what's happening in the ring (not let your mind drift off), not letting the nerves get to you, etc.

But it all starts with loving wrestling, being an actual fan.

[CSL]

I'd guess maybe as long as you have "life"/interest/tone/enthusiasm in your voice, have a decent knowledge of how a wrestling match works as well as "the moves"/holds etc but try not to call every single thing that happens (especially during quick sequences), don't try to get yourself over (especially at the expense of any of the "performers"), know/understand what it is the promoter and the match is trying to get over and what they want from you, watch anything from 1997 through 2003-4 and listen to JR and steal things (obvs not like "BAH GAWD SLOBBERKNOCKER" or anything like that), read Gordon Solie's book, don't shit on the guys in the ring even if they're the drizzling shits, have some info on them etc. Dunno. Probably stuff from guys like JR you could read about online somewhere.

[Shisen Kopf]

WWSD? What would Schiavone do? Every match is the greatest ever. Every move is the most devastating move ever. You need to call matches like that. Also, compare every rassler to Bushwhacker Luke, wooooo!

[DLVH84]

Independent Thought, These are things I like in a commentator:

1. Knowledgeable about moves
2. Knowledgeable about the business
3. Know when to use emotion to get the workers over



hope my opinion helps

Those are really great points.

[mhirn3]

I'd guess maybe as long as you have "life"/interest/tone/enthusiasm in your voice, have a decent knowledge of how a wrestling match works as well as "the moves"/holds etc but try not to call every single thing that happens (especially during quick sequences), don't try to get yourself over (especially at the expense of any of the "performers"), know/understand what it is the promoter and the match is trying to get over and what they want from you, watch anything from 1997 through 2003-4 and listen to JR and steal things (obvs not like "BAH GAWD SLOBBERKNOCKER" or anything like that), read Gordon Solie's book, don't shit on the guys in the ring even if they're the drizzling shits, have some info on them etc. Dunno. Probably stuff from guys like JR you could read about online somewhere.


That makes a lot of sense CSL. I have tried to pick up little things here and there mostly from JR as I am a HUGE fan of his work. I think that at first because I was nervous I tended to call just the moves as a fallback because i was having a hard time making generalized conversation.

I have a couple of dvds to do in post production tomorrow and one live this weekend and will def try and use some of your guys' tips. Thanks to all of you.

[#1-norm-fan]

I'd say that if you're working with someone else, know both of your roles going in. Generally an announcer calls the action in the ring move by move while the commentator goes into story, what the guys in the ring are going through, etc. That's why most announcers are guys who have a history broadcasting and commentators tend to be former wrestlers. Same goes for any sport. The play-by-play guy is a broadcaster, the commentator is an ex-player. Both serve a different purpose that requires different skills.

[mhirn3]

Very valid point wwf. I have embraced my role as the pbp or straight guy in getting the other talent and color guy over and I think it makes it easier now.

[kareru]

a good catchphrase, might i suggest "hot sandwich!"

and in a sentence

"HOT SANDWICH, A DDT ON A CHAIR"

[mhirn3]

Just called 6 hours worth of wrestling matches and tried to use some of the things you guys mentioned....until I got a little loopy around hour #5

[Kane Knight]

The ability to bury talent with PIPE BOMBS by pointing out things that only the IWC knows or cares about.

[Kane Knight]

Just called 6 hours worth of wrestling matches and tried to use some of the things you guys mentioned....until I got a little loopy around hour #5

Just how is loopydate?

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's been some great advice already given in here. It's much more than just calling the moves, and in fact, sometimes it is better if you don't call the moves. I understand that you are not the color commentator, but you can still emphasise the story of what is being told in the ring. If a guy uses a DDT and has been working over the head/neck of his opponent in the match, instead of finding it necessary to point out that the move is the DDT, the significance is really in the dude taking the move getting dropped on his head.

Work with your color guy. Know your roles, how to set him up for funny lines or to elaborate further on what it's like to be in the ring. Do you guys like each other or do you hate each other? How seriously does your partner take his job? Those are all kayfabe questions. As part of the wrestling industry, you are playing a role, and that means that you need to know what sort of character you are putting forward.

Emotion also doesn't mean yelling after someone has hit a big move, either. Nothing is more annoying than listening to commentators who try to be like JR and raise their voice as the action gets more intense. If the moment happens legitimately, and a spot comes out of nowhere and surprises you -- by all means sound surprised -- but don't force it.

I'm not sure if this is breaking a major rule of pro-wrestling announcing, but one thing I would try out as a commentator is predicting what is going to happen next in the match. Not to expose anything, but if a guy is perched on the top rope, and you know that they like to use a superplex, and the guy taking the move is in position for a superplex, perhaps allude to the fact that a superplex might be coming with a line like "He might be going for a superplex here." If the guy hits a superplex, you look knowledgeable about what you were calling; but if he doesn't, it creates a moment of surprise in the match (and in yourself) that can add to the story of the match -- the guy on the offensive is trying out different ways to beat his opponent and catch him off guard. You can sell that.

Your job is really to sell. It's not just the guy in the ring taking bumps doing that. The subtext of what you are doing is to make the guys in the ring look as good as possible. Even if you are a babyface and they are heels, talk about their resilience and their drive to be the best, even if you morally don't agree with their actions. If a heel gets a clean win, remind everyone that you have to "call it like you see it," and "love him or hate him, Indy Jones is one hell of a competitor."

I think you should really latch onto the subtext of the match and explain the psychology more than anything. Not just "Dick Smith is working over the arm here" but why he is working over the arm. "The Scorpion Eater had an arm injury last year that kept him sidelined for a few months. Smith has obviously done his research on Eater, and that arm being targeted is going to prevent Eater from being able to get Smith in position for his Sting of the Scorpion finishing move -- that Death Valley Driver he went for earlier in the match." From there, perhaps your partner can then go into what it's like to have an arm injury, and how that is psychologically hurting Eater's chances of winning that match, since he's got to be thinking about how for a few weeks he wasn't able to get out in the ring and entertain these fans.

In that little exchange, you and your partner have:

* Put over Dick Smith's dominance and his knowledge of his opponent. Smith has researched The Scorpion Eater and knows what to target to limit his move-set and take Eater out of the game.

* You've used your knowledge of Eater's finishing maneuver, the Death Valley Driver, and added drama by questioning Eater's ability to hit the move. If Eater hits it, he's overcome something to achieve success; and if he doesn't, you can point out that Eater had heart, but Smith took that valuable tool out of Eater's move-set.

* You've clearly positioned Eater as someone likeable by working with your partner and elaborating on just who he is as a character. If Eater is hurt, what does he miss? The fans. Anyone watching that match understands not only what is happening in that match, but who Eater is meant to be outside the ring.

Both Dick Smith and The Scorpion Eater come out looking like admirable performers -- Smith for being crafty and clever and Eater for having heart and liking people. That's one exchange between you and your partner.

Anyone can see that Smith just used an armbar takedown on The Scorpion Eater, but I believe that your job as play-by-play commentator is to call the subtext. Perhaps not necessarily explain it -- the color commentator has to do something -- but call it. If something heelish happens, you don't just say "Cathy Lick just got on the apron and distracted the referee" you call the importance of it. "Cathy Lick should not be on the apron! She's trying to help her boys win this match, but if she gets caught she might get them disqualified!" Then your partner can talk about how "She's not going to be seen, mhirn -- she knows where the referee is positioned and that's why Robman and Batin have enlisted her services. I couldn't be prouder to call her a former student of mine."

That sort of shit. The trick is being able to do it on the fly. Of course you can do your own preparation if you know what is going down, but it's good to always be flexible and be in that moment.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sorry, didn't mean to make that so long. Also, that's just my opinion as a fan -- I'm by no means an authority. But basically, I think the points that haven't really been mentioned yet are:

* Know yourself as a character. You are a character. Maybe not one that steals the show or anything, but you're essentially an enhancement talent there meant to sell what is happening in the ring.

* Emphasise the "story" of the match. The subtext, if you will.

And as CSL said, and I think this is very, very important:

* Make everyone look good!

[Road Warrior]

Get wrestlers over to the tv audience.

What Noid said about knowing yourself as a character. Sell what's happening in the ring, if a heel is doing something terrible than act as if you're disgusted and the audience should be disgusted by their actions, don't just call what you see.

Act excited if something you should be excited about happens. This goes along with knowing your character and knowing what your there for. Worst example of this that I've seen is Todd Grisham calling Christian's return, absolutely pathetic.

[MoFo]

Don't be a know it all like Matt Striker, really puts me off.

"suplex there, shades of Bob Backlunds ***1/2 match with Abdullah The Butcher in Kansas in 1979"

No, fuck you.

[mhirn3]

Just how is loopydate?

Not bad, someone handed me a drink though and things got a bit hazy after that though




Thanks again guys for the tips. I tried to use a lot of them last weekend when I had a show and I think it went very well.

If you get a chance please check out the character page I have on facebook and click like: http://www.facebook.com/McCormickWAR

[JimmyMess]

listening to Cole, and doing the opposite

[Ultra Mantis]

Put over Dick Smith's dominance and his knowledge of his opponent. Smith has researched The Scorpion Eater and knows what to target to limit his move-set and take Eater out of the game.

If you're calling a match between Dick Smith and Scorpion Eater you should try your hardest not to mix up their forenames. Though they would probably both be more over if they did mix up their forenames.

[mhirn3]

Just found out we are a go for our first IPPV in January. This will be the most challenging thing I think we've done to date. Hoping to have some of the best indy talent in the country on this.

What's a good price people will pay for an ippv?

Check out our new site at http://warwrestling.com/