The Catch Phrase: A necessary commodity or a promo crutch?

[Xero]

I was just thinking about catchphrases and how both Cena and Orton don't have any true catchphrases currently. Orton used to have the whole "Legend Killer" deal and Cena used to use "You can't see me" and similar, but currently, neither one has a phrase that they say that all the fans can get on board with. Orton seems to get his in the form of "Apex Predator" and whatnot from the booth.

But this got me thinking about how important a catch phrase is, and if it's necessary or has been used as a crutch in the past to get a promo over. The following is a list of wrestlers who were/are either major players or considered great on the mic, along with the phrase, if applicable.

Cena - None currently
Orton - None Currently
The Miz - "I'm The Miz and I'm Awesome"
CM Punk - "I'm better than you." and other variations. Doesn't have one TRUE catch phrase.
The Rock - "If you smell what the Rock is cooking"
Austin - "And that's the bottom line because Stone Cold said so"
Hulk Hogan - "Whatcha gonna do when the 24 inch pythons run wild on you"
Roddy Piper - Didn't really have one true catchphrase.
Pillman - Didn't really have one (correct me if I'm wrong), but was amazing on the mic.
Shawn Michaels - "I'm the icon, the show stopper, the main event."

Rock and Austin aside, I think this shows that the wrestlers with what many would consider "great" mic skills tend to lean towards having multiple catch phrases or none really at all, and they let their talking work for them.

Discuss the importance of catch phrases in wrestling and if they're needed or used as a crutch in some cases.

[Razzamajazz]

it's all about putting them on tshirts to sell

[SaskatchewanChamp]

Top Wreslters for WWF/E

Hogan: Had One

Austin: Had one

Rock: Had One

Bret Hart: Had One

Undertaker: Had One

See the pattern? It is necessary.

[thedamndest]

Cena has "If you want some, come get some" doesn't he? Maybe not now that he is sad Cena, but it replaced "The champ is here."

[Xero]

Cena has "If you want some, come get some" doesn't he? Maybe not now that he is sad Cena, but it replaced "The champ is here."

Yeah that's one I meant to list. But Cena doesn't really use it now. He doesn't have one he uses on a regular basis, and hasn't for about a year or so I'd say.

[Cool King]

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[Razzamajazz]

you can't see me

[Next Big Thing]

Flair: Woo!
Savage: Oh Yeah!
Ron Simmons: Damn!
Scott Hall: A Yo!
Scott Steiner: Unintelligible

[MoFo]

Its not a neccesity, but it helps you get over with the crowd for sure. Nobody would give a shit about R-Truth without 'whass up'

[Perry Saturn]

Booker T- "Can you digg it? Sucka"
"We comin for you Nigga"

[Jordan]

Undertaker - Rest in Peace
Rock - If ya smell....
Austin - And thats the bottom line...
Hogan - Whatchya gonna do when...
Cena - The Champ in here
Triple H - Lets get ready to suckkkkk itttttttttttt.... and several others
Bret Hart - I'm the best there is the best there was....
Ric Flair - To Be the Man ....


Yeah you need one

[DLVH84]

Raven: Quote the Raven...Nevermore!!!
Lance Storm: If I could be serious for a minute...
Mike Awesome (FMW): Up yours!!!
Masahiro Chono: I am Chono!!!
Scott Steiner: Holler If You Hear Me!!!
Rick Steiner: Welcome To The Dog Pound!!!
Taz: Beat Me If You Can...Survive If I Let You!!!

[Fox]

I do think Cena needs one to truly put him over the top. "You can't see me", "If you want some, come get some" and "Never give up" don't really work on the level of "If you smellalalalalalalalalaLLLOOOWWWWW..." or even "Bang! Bang!"

Orton needs one too, to put a better touch on his otherwise mediocre mic skills.

[Majunior]

The Rock was nothing but catchphrases. I fuckin hated his promos, because they read like a promo checklist, usually in order, with the only changes being a few lines and the obligatory "insert opponent's name/object/city here."

I really, really hate the Rock's mic work. Even more than I hated David Arquette being World Champ. Or Batista.

A catchphrase certainly can help, but superstars with real mic talent don't need them. Jericho, as an example, has gone spans without an active catchphrase, and some of his best promo work ever was devoid of catchphrases.

[DLVH84]

The Blue Blazer: Take your vitamins, say your prayers, and drink your milk...

[The Naitch]

Cena - None currently
Orton - None Currently


John Cena: You want some, come GET SOME

Randy Orton: blah blah blah gonna give you an R----K----O! (I know, generic as fuck, but that's what he uses as a catchphrase

[Jeritron]

Cena has "If you want some, come get some" doesn't he? Maybe not now that he is sad Cena, but it replaced "The champ is here."

How about "Hustle. Loyalty. Respect." and "Never Give Up", and a few others?
I suppose they're more of slogans than verbal catchphrases but they seem to be along the same lines.

[Shadrick]

The Rock was nothing but catchphrases. I fuckin hated his promos, because they read like a promo checklist, usually in order, with the only changes being a few lines and the obligatory "insert opponent's name/object/city here."

I really, really hate the Rock's mic work. Even more than I hated David Arquette being World Champ. Or Batista.

A catchphrase certainly can help, but superstars with real mic talent don't need them. Jericho, as an example, has gone spans without an active catchphrase, and some of his best promo work ever was devoid of catchphrases.

It's funny because I LOVE Rocks mic work. Sure he had bullet points of catchphrases, but who didnt? It didn't get stale quickly because he was a master of the DELIVERY of them and THAT is where the talent comes in. I also loved how Rock, minus his catchphrases, would adlib all of his promos. He'd never rehearse; he never had to. Him and Austin are the only two guys I know that never EVER had to rehearse promos with Vince backstage before going out.

But Jericho has always had catchphrases, he just had so many that it seemed like he didn't because he didn't use them every time.

[Y2Ant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve3-1zTcQOg

HUH

[Haze]

Pretty sure both the Rock, and Austin had multiple catch phrases.

[Jordan]

Just wanted to point out that Rick Steiner first came out with "You want some? Come get some! You don't like me? Bite Me!"

I always loved that. He actually had a good US Title run near the end of WCW.

[Inadequacy]

Does anyone else remember that month where Cena kept saying "Deeze nuts?"

[parkmania]

Does anyone else remember that month where Cena kept saying "Deeze nuts?"

And then threw a pack of Planters at someone.

[The Naitch]

Does anyone else remember that month where Cena kept saying "Deeze nuts?"

Doesn't count since he used that during his US Title run. He doesn't use that at the present time

[Loose Cannon]

nope, Pillman never had one. He's just brilliant. Although he did say "I'm all there is" a lot in WCW. Hence my slogan under my name. But he only said it to the camera as he was coming to the ring.

[VSG]

Is the stupid "Never give up" chant Cena's present catch phrase? He has used it multiple times recently.

[XL]

Rock and Austin aside, I think this shows that the wrestlers with what many would consider "great" mic skills tend to lean towards having multiple catch phrases or none really at all, and they let their talking work for them.

So that covers the full range then? Those with "great" mic skills use catchphrases or don't. Doesn't that go for everyone - good or bad - in wrestling?

I think a good catchphrase to "sign off" the promo can wprk wonders. Much like "And that's the bottom line..." from Austin. I personally wasn't a fan of Rock's "Promo-by-Numbers" style.

[Josef Von Schmidt]

Uber Alles!

[Troelar]

Jericho would never; eeeeeeever use a catchphrase! He doesn't need catchphrases unlike all you hypocrites and parasites! That's because he's the best in the world at what he does!

[BodySlam]

Steve Austin Also Had "What"

[James Steele]

Steve Austin Also Had "What"

Ugh.

[Kapoutman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve3-1zTcQOg

HUH

All right, I'm dying here. This is too funny.