John Petuka is out to collect all of the greatest promos in the wrestling world, and needs the help of the loving embrace that is the BoD Spotlight.
I don’t know why it sticks out in my mind, but the pre-match promo for Punk vs Jericho at WM had me excited for the match. It probably helped that I don’t watch Raw, so I just got the best of. Also, the Bully Ray ‘History of Aces & Eights’ videos on youtube are absolutely fantastic. Brilliant stuff. Anyway, here’s his email & list of what he has so far…
“Because I’m a nerd, I’m trying to compile the best wrestling promos (or
pre-match videos) known to man. Some of them tell a magnificent story
while others just get you pumped for the match. Feel free to contribute
to this list as I want it to be as thorough as possible…
“Do I have everybody’s attention now?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7xzcIvdqjA
The awesome MitB video. It picks up on the drama and humor when Punk tells Vince to apologize around 1:40 into it.
“Bret Hart vs Vince McMahon”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkvTI1IunW4
Civil
Twilight’s music sounded so good here, they used more of their music
for one of their Rock-Cena promos earlier this year, I believe. Another
great video. Classic Vince moment at 2:10 as you see his evil
reflection on Bret Hart’s sunglasses.
“Running Up That Hill”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgauGnovoSE
A
great and dramatic summary of Shawn Michaels’ last feud against
Undertaker at WM 26. It’s such a well-crafted story and this video
matches it.
“Steve Austin Survivor Series 1996”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DV0RHVteLs
There
were probably about 4 or 5 of these leading up to Survivor Series and
it was essentially Stone Cold finding his voice. He had been developing
his character throughout the summer and fall, but these promos were a
stroke of genius. Why doesn’t WWE do anything like this anymore?
“Flair vs HBK – 2003”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C14oT3belk
Just a nice and forgotten mix of their mini-feud in 2003. It takes a cool and dramatic turn around 1:30 in.
“Flair vs HBK – 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJAVHVfB-W0
Old Yeller. If you don’t feel like listening to the Leave the Memories Alone part, skip to about 2:20.
“The Rock, Pre-Rock Bottom 1998”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJDJPVJob54
Lost
and forgotten, this is just a smooth telling of the Rock’s transition
into heeldom after teasing a big time face turn in late 1998. 1:15,
things get interesting and you get a pretty badass beat. The Rock’s a
millionaire; he’s the WWF champ.
“Stone Cold-Rock: My Way”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgO2-XnM5yM
Not forgotten at all–the one everyone remembers. WM17 pre-match promo.
“HHH-HBK: Fight”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH8fQWuyBxI
Summerslam
2002. So many good memories. Already excited about HBK’s comeback,
this just made ya crazy with anticipation before the match. Includes
the “Fight” song that was on the Anthology CD around 2:50.
“I’m damn sick and tired”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2huUfkxw8
I believe this is before Fully Loaded 1998. It’s a nice mix of where the Austin-McMahon feud and title picture at the time.
“Survivor Series 1997 – Hitman vs HBK”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_8IYEATV7I
A little chaotic but symbolic of their feud.
“2000 PPV intro compilation”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrHLS5yro0
Okay, this is kind of cheating, but look at how cool WWE was in 2000. 20 minutes of pre-event promo packages.