Top 5 promos that shattered the boundaries of Pro Wrestling
It was almost two decades ago, a Texas rattlesnake, with a chip on his shoulder, made himself a legend. “Austin 3:16″ is often regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling promos not only in terms of its influence but the individual behind the mic as well. Back then, fans took to Austin’s every last word and, as a result, made him and the promo he cut nothing short of timeless. Of course, it would be a lie to say that this was the only segment that shook the pro wrestling world.
When they come from certain individuals, words hold power. We hang on to every syllable, as we are being spoken to, even if we do not necessarily agree with every facet of the message being presented. Certain promos stand out more than others, which is what I’d like to get into today. On this day, to honour the “Austin 3:16" segment, I’d like to list 5 promos that rocked the world of professional wrestling.
#5: Roddy Piper disses Jimmy Snuka on Piper's pit
80's Wrestling often goes unnoticed when people are talking about their favourite moments in sports entertainment. They don't evaluate the past while naming their favourite moment as the greatest but when you’re talking about promos that shook the wrestling world, this is hard to leave out.
This is especially true when you consider that it downplays one old-school high-flyer, in particular. During a memorable “Piper’s Pit” segment, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper talked down Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, verbally running down the silent fan favourite. After a while, Snuka asked, “Are you making fun of me, brother?” After uttering the quote above, Piper reared back and cracked Snuka with a coconut.
This promo mattered for quite a few reasons. First of all, the impact that the coconut made on Snuka could be felt at home as he crashed through the set, tumbling to the floor. Secondly, it showed just how much of a villain Piper was at this time. He taunted the fallen Snuka, who valiantly crawled towards him in his weakened state. Even though WWE and the average pro wrestling fan alike turn to this as the most memorable Piper promo, it’s difficult to deny its impact.