My Top 5 Wrestling Commentators

In the world of professional wrestling, sometimes the voices behind the shows are just as important as, if not more so than, the shows in question. Simply put, I enjoy commentating when it's done right and sadly, most of it today is not that great. However, I am not totally embittered since I feel like there have been a few standouts then and now. Here are my top five voices behind wrestling and my reasons for each.



Mike Tenay: Often referred to as "The Professor" and regarded as a walking encyclopedia on wrestling, it's hard not to see why as I've watched from his days commentating in WCW. Simply put, Tenay gets wrestling. He can call matches excellently, he knows all of the moves that have been executed, and he can recall facts about wrestlers that I was not aware of. When a commentator can explain certain aspects of a character, all the while keep focused on the action, I am impressed. Tenay's been in the business in '94 and despite his old age, judging from his time in TNA now, I don't see him slowing down anytime soon.

Bobby Heenan: "The Brain" is one of my favorite heel characters of all time as a manager but I'd argue that he's been just as impacting at the announce desk. When he was paired up with Gorilla Monsoon, it was the ideal tandem with Monsoon trying to be the straight man and Heenan cutting in with witty comments that left his partner flabbergasted. When Hogan makes his entrance and says that his theme song is his second favorite and the rest are tied for first place, it's extremely funny. He commentated for WCW, too, but I think he was less effective since that company wasn't run as tight. Still, Heenan deserves a spot on this list.

Jim Ross: You didn't think I'd do a list without incorporating Good Ol' JR, did you? Jim Ross, for so many years, has been the voice of WWE and I still regard him as such. His southern drawl is something that people can characterize him with but it also helps that he's been a very effective commentator. More so than his ability to call matches is just how emotionally invested he becomes. When he's able to make me care about wrestlers like Eugene (if you remember him), that's a play-by-play man doing his job right. Though most of us recognize him from his "STONE COLD, STONE COLD!" bouts. Simply put, JR can still do the job and I look forward to the day where he runs commentating circles around Michael Cole again.

Paul Heyman: Even though he's been at the announce desk for a shorter time than the rest of the guys on this list, I couldn't help but add Heyman because he left an impact on me. After ECW folded, Heyman found his way to WWE as a commentator alongside JR when Lawler was gone. Heyman did particularly well as the character next to the everyman that JR was. I think the most recognizable moment for Heyman, the commentator, was when Vince McMahon had Trish Stratus strip down in the ring, " I made it to Washington D.C. and now I'm gonna get to see Bush!" Even for the Attitude Era of WWE, it was risky but Heyman took it and he still stands, in my opinion, as the best mind in wrestling today.

JBL: God, am I happy this guy made a return to the announce desk. I loved his act when he announced back in the mid 2000's but it seems like he changed some things up upon returning. For one, I love how he focuses on actual wrestling know-how. You have no idea how much it irritates when I hear Cole and Lawler commentate on RAW and when someone hits a complex move like a bridging Fisherman's suplex, they go, "what a move!" Um... Okay, can you tell me more about it? JBL has that covered and he puts over talent so well with their past accomplishments and highlighting their strengths above all else. He may not be a journalism major but he's probably the most effective commentator in WWE today.