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

**Xero** · 11-01-2010, 07:58 PM

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.

11-01-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
Xero He's Here Posts: 60,735	The Catch Phrase: A necessary commodity or a promo crutch? 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.