Two legends that have countless hours providing fans with great promos Jim Ross and Ric Flair. (Photo from JRSBARBQ.COM)

Jim Ross wrote of  Ric Flair “ Back in the day, and still today for that matter, no one could cut a more impassioned promo than the future Hall of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Flair dressed the part, lived the part 24/7, and, seemingly, became the “Nature Boy. Credit Jim Ross’s website here.

By Brian Kelley

On my long drive to school in St Louis I have a LOT of time to think about stuff and when I am not thinking about my homework, I have my mind working towards pro wrestling. This past week my thoughts took me to who in the Midwest is the best on the Mic? Who can your attention the most during a promo?

If you take a look at most of my favorite wrestlers they all can talk. From my very favorite Ric Flair to the Honky Tonk Man and back the Midwest’s own Harley Race they could all talk you to the show.

Lets take a look at 20 of the  most interesting wrestlers in today’s game here in the Midwest in my opinion, Feel free to disagree or add your thoughts but these are the top wrestlers who I Love to get hear from and the list is  in no certain order.

Before we go to the 20 plus  superstars lets give props to the three time WWE Tag Team Champion Trevor Murdoch who I felt was very underrated during his time at the big show.

First lets look at a promo from ALL-TIME greats Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race when he congratulated Trevor Murdoch for his signing with WWE.

Now lets take a flash back at a promo from Murdoch with his tag team partner the late Lance Cade as they were set to arrive in WWE. Some good stuff for sure.

1) Bloody Harker Dirge

The Vampire from the Midwest, Dirge has the look, can wrestle and is works his character to a T….or maybe he is a real vampire. Either way one of the best to get a promo from period.

2) Travis Cook-

The Manager of Champions or as my friend Herb Simmons calls him Travis “the Crook” Cook but no matter what you call him you will have no choice but to hear what he has to say. A link from wrestlings past, Cook knows how to get under the skin of wrestlers and fans alike.

3) Bailey Mannix-

In your face, no nonsense wrestler can talk the talk and walk the walk. Great in front of people and can bust out a promo in one take with out blinking an eye.

4) Michael Strider

– If you ask me this guy is the closest in the Midwest to have the same feel as my favorite Flair as anyone, and I am not the only one. Strider is believable in his words and can make you care for him in a heartbeat but just like Flair if he is in a foul mood can drive the fans in a frenzy.

5) The Northstar Express Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz –

The Northstar Express is so good that you always want more……

Ask me who my favorite to interview and to work with in a promo and I promise you that I will no doubt have these two right among the top of that list. Charismatic and you never know what they will come up with. They deserve to be on a national stage.

6) Gary Jackson

The total package who never got that one break, Jackson may very well be the most loved wrestler in St Louis. With classic lines and his golden rules the geourgous one is always one that you will want to  listen too.

7) Jayden Draigo

To be honest I didn’t know who Draigo was until this year. He quickly gathered my attention with the way he handled himself in the middle of the ring, drawing the ire of the fans without missing a beat.

8) #1 Brett Young –

Like the Northstar Express, Young has charisma to burn. A great talker he is able to do whatever is thrown his way be it serious or comedy it is always a honor to interview him…or at least that’s what he lets me know when we are done.

9) The Mississippi Madman –

Listen for this quote from the Madman at the interview “ You just saved a lot of lives, because there is going to be a lot of people running because the Madmans coming” Love it!

No wrestler in the Midwest can have the fans in the palm of their hands like the Mississippi Madman. His look, along with his mic skills is the reason why he would be one of the wrestlers that I would choose if I was a promoter.

10) BroMance Jordan McEntrye & Knight Wagner with Eryn –

Cocky brash and always entertaining this tag team is very underrated in the Midwest, they have a great look that catches the fans attention right away.  

11) Mr Late Nite

The Midwest wrestling agent has an ax to grind and never seems to be in a good mood. That is until he is making fun of the fans who come to see their heroes in action.

12) Curley-

You can’t miss him with all those 3 stooges’ tattoos but then he gets on the mic for a promo or before his match and laughter is surly to come. 13) Matt Cage –  

Cage is always willing to think outside the box. The scary thing about Cage is I believe he is only scratched the surface of how good he can be.

14) The Hooligans (Devin and Mason Cutter)

The 2009 MWR Tag team of the Year burst onto the scene making a name for themselves in and out of the ring with some great promos for their battles.

15) Attitude Inc (Guy Smith, Spencer Powers, and Michael Shard)

The trio of Smith, Powers and Shard bring to the table great wrestling action and a look that gets the fans and opponents attention quickly. They currently hold the NMW Tag titles while Shard is in the hunt for the NMW Title at November Reign. Look for great things to continue for these there.

16) Chad Mylan-

The man who many claim is the voice of 3XW has grew a chip on his shoulder. Leading his number one man Kwong into the ring to gain championships. He is a force at not only 3XW but MECW as well.

I am going to share with you a promo from 3XW’S monthly internet show Outside the ring from this past October. Look for Chad at the 5:16 mark into the show as he celebrates a big victory along with his protégé Ricky Kwong. Please take the time to watch the whole episode and add the 3XW website to your favorites to check out the new Outside the Ring.

17) Bobby Houston –

While many wonder what we do at MWR, “The Business Man” is not one of them. He knows that the site is out there to get the word out about wrestling, but more importantlyto Houston,  is MORE coverage for himself. In the ring on the mic or outside the ring for a promo Houston is all about the Business and that business is to let you know that he is the best in the Midwest.

18) The Magic Man-

If you have not seen this legend from Japan then shame on you. I have had a lot of fun working with the Magic Man every time we get the camera in front of him. The fans MAY love him or hate him but they always and I mean always remember him

19) Steven J Girthy-

The classic manager in every sense. Successful check, rich check, loud mouth check. The truth of the matter is the man is good at his job and that is leading wrestling’s top wrestlers into battle.

20) AJ Williams-

One has to see AJ do wrestling impersonations to get a true feel of this young wrestlers talent. Don’t believe me then just ask Bill Apter.

MWR Hall of Fame Video

Hype Gotti and Tony Cortez formed the charismatic tag team Simply the Best. The two would hold onto the PWP Tag titles but we were always prepared to see what these two would say when we got them behind the camera. Lets look back at this classic interview.

Last but not least I leave you with a promo that we did with the 2008 Missouri Wrestling Revival wrestler of the Year “ The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt. I took this to work to show some residents at the behavior unit that I worked with. The resident LOVE wrestling and my mother has been a nurse for over 30 years at the very same home.

My mothers reply to me after watching Wyatt blast , “Maybe you shouldn’t get involved in this wrestling, you’r going to get hurt.” …….SWEET

I now share with you that video that caused my mother such concern.

Honorable mentions

TNT Keny G

Shane Rich

Hunter Mathews

Sean Vincent

Gage Octane

Steve Fender

Dan The Man

Eric Ruffington

Steve Anthony

Phil E Blunt

Devin Carter

Mark Bland