Opinion

Top 5: Wrestling Commentator Catchphrases

Published

7 years ago

September 7, 2018

Commentators are among the most important people in the wrestling business. They serve as a connection between the fans & the characters they see on television every week. They help us understand why the wrestlers do what they do, and explain what exactly it is that they’re doing. They’re salesmen for their companies that we get to know on a personal basis due to our exposure to them for hours at a time every week.

Every commentator has certain phrases that they fall back on. Jim Ross had so many that I think he filled a book with them. Michael Cole has quite the list of them himself. Just think about whatever promotion you enjoy watching, and before long some of the phrases the commentators would say every week will pop into your head. We tend to forget most of them as time passes, but some stick with us forever.

Here are the Top 5 Wrestling Commentator Catchphrases.

5. “SLAP THE PORPOISE!” – Mike Hogewood

When Ring of Honor started producing a weekly show that aired on HDNet in 2009, they acquired the services of Mike Hogewood as their play by play announcer. Hogewood had worked in sports broadcasting for years, specifically on events featuring Atlantic Coast Conference teams. It was his first time calling pro wrestling though, and it was an odd fit. The Hog stood out in an announcing scene where older & not exactly cosmetically pleasing gentlemen like Jim Ross were being phased out in favor of younger folks. He ended up as a bit of a throwback to the days of announcers like Bob Caudle & Lance Russell, who excelled more at the emotional aspect of commentary than calling the holds & explaining the angles.

Hogewood is most remembered by fans for his call of “SLAP THE PORPOISE!”, which he would typically utilize once a week at the end of a squash match. Like Hogewood himself, it seemed completely random & stood out from everything else going on at the time. The Hog passed away this week at the age of 63, and wherever he’s going you know the porpoises have to be nervous.

4. “WHAT A MANEUVER!” – Vince McMahon

I think that Vince has spent more time on my television screen than any other human being. Us oldsters remember him commentating on WWF television for decades prior to his run as Evil Boss. Vince doesn’t get the love that other old school announcers like Jim Ross & Gordon Solie do, and a lot of it has to do with the idea that he didn’t call the names of the moves. Typically he’d just scream this out whenever a wrestler did something extra fancy. The phase was so ingratiated into young wrestling fans’ minds that CM Punk repeated it to Vince himself years after his commentary career ended.

3. “PUPPIES!” – Jerry “The King” Lawler

In 2018, the last thing pro wrestling needs is an announcer screaming about the presence of a female’s breasts. Back in 1998, it fit the mood. Lawler had a legendary wrestling career prior to arriving in the WWF, and I’d say he’s one of the best workers I’ve ever seen as far as getting a reaction out of an audience by doing the least goes. We all remember him as the horny color commentator during the Attitude Era. He seems to be ok with this.

Yes, Brian Christopher did a country rap album, and yes Jerry was on one of the songs. The things you learn on YouTube.

2. “OH MY GOD!” – Joey Styles

I don’t think I’ve seen opinion change on an announcer as much as it has on Joey. Back in the 1990s, most observers would have told you he was one of the greats due to his work with ECW. His work in WWE wasn’t quite the same, and now he can’t even get booked anywhere since he tried to use politics to get himself over when he was told not to. Anywho, the phrase he yelled in ECW whenever things got out of control, which was fairly often, became quite the thing for the longest period of time. Joey admitted that he wished he had copyrighted it, though nobody’s sure if you can copyright God or not.

Then again, the Republicans seem to think they have. Uh oh, political commentary is what got Joey blackballed so I better be quiet.

Honorable Mention: “HOLY F**********************CK!” – Dave Prazak

I feel like IWA Mid-South Dave Prazak was the best possible Dave Prazak. When he was in ROH he had to mind his Ps & Qs. As the lead SHIMMER announcer & promoter he can’t get too crazy, and frankly, while the action is good it rarely calls for profanity. In IWA, where people were doing crazy things on a regular basis for no apparent reason, he could cut loose & react the same way we do sitting on the couch.

Honorable Mention: “SOMEBODY CALL 911!” – John House

While we’re talking deathmatch promotions, I think any fan of Combat Zone Wrestling that’s seen most of their history would agree that the most entertaining announce team was House & Eric Gargiulo. They were there for the apex, and they had a litany of catchphrases. Eric was known for “EXCUSE ME” before Vickie Guerrero was, and House would yell for somebody to call 911 after every crazy bump, which was pretty often. CZW was never more fun than when those two were on the call.

Honorable Mention: “DANGEROUS” – Gabe Sapolsky

I think Gabe would be the first to admit that he wasn’t a great announcer. Once he brought in the likes of Prazak & Lenny Leonard, he put himself in the booth as little as possible. One call he brought to the table sticks with any early Ring of Honor fan. Anytime somebody landed on their head Gabe would yell one word, usually preceded by whatever the move was. It was silly, but it caught on to a certain degree.

1. “WILL YOU STOP!” – Gorilla Monsoon

Anybody who knows me through this whole wrestling thing likely knows that my favorite announce team of all time is Gorilla & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Those two were just magic together, something that I’m not sure will ever be replicated in this genre. Whether it was a WrestleMania or a forgettable house show, listening to them talk amongst themselves was never dull. They knew just how to push each other’s buttons. Whenever Bobby got too ridiculous, Gorilla was sure to interject with a WILL YOU STOP.

We’re all prone to declaring that our childhood memories are better than anything else ever, and maybe I’m doing that here. Maybe you think something before or afterwards was much better. In my opinion, WILL YOU STOP is the best announcer catchphrase of all time and there isn’t anything close.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1