Board 8 > TheRock1525's Top 10 Wrestlemania Hype Promos

(+) Yeah! (+)

So in honor of WM seasons, I've got 10 WM promos that I'd like to talk about that our my favorite. I'll get some things out of the way:

1. There's some recency bias. In fact, there's a lot. There's literally no promos before WM17 and half of them come from WM30 onward. I do have a bit of a blindspot from WM21 to WM27 because I didn't follow the product too hard but I tried looking for some and I just didn't see any that would top these ones so if I'm missing an obvious one or one of your favorites, I'm sorry. I even checked WM PPVs I watched live back in the day to see if there's anyones I missed and I just could find any I liked more.

2. There's gonna be a lot of Undertaker.

3. This is exclusively WM promos. I have a ton I like better (Punk vs. Cena MitB 2011, HHH vs. HBK Summerslam 2002, Rock vs. Punk RR2013, etc) but obviously they're not on this list.

Alright, let's get into it.
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Tag
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10. Wrestlemania 27: Undertaker vs. HHH "In Time"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_eyquUGiGg" data-time="

I very much love the theme of this promo. Despite HHH obviously becoming a suit, he was still trying to project himself as this badass man. So the idea of them being the last "outlaws" of the WWE is very fitting. The song lyrics are pretty fitting for two aging superstars. "In time your time will be no more." It could work for both of them, but when talking about the streak it's really referring to Taker's streak. Hell, picking out the HHH line of "you have only one thing left, and it's the streak. And when it dies, you die." The sepia tone and use to slow motion early on is pretty good, with the exception of Taker's throat slash being countered with HHH doing a stupid crotch chop. Basically it does a good job of selling me on a HHH/Taker match despite, you know, them having faced each other once already at Wrestlemania.

I will give you a heads up: this is definitely not Taker's only appearance on this list. But it's also not HHH's only appearance, either.
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I think this is special, I do
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9. Wrestlemania 33: Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar "Fairy Tales"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE8Cb0422FU" data-time="

Someone said "fuck it, just let Paul Heyman talk for this promo" and it's brilliant. I wish Heyman got to tell these type of promos in the ring because this is so good. I like how it retroactively injects so much to this feud. Goldberg talked about wanting to be a hero when he first came back, but Heyman spins a masterful yarn about Goldberg as a legendary hero. Selling his initial WCW run, selling Lesnar's initial WWE run, then basically papering over the awfulness of their first WM match. Going over what happened with Lesnar after he left WWE. Like the "fantasy warfare just got real!" bit is the only annoying part. Heyman then does exactly what he needs to do to sell why Goldberg, even at 50, is as strong, if not stronger, than ever. And the turn in the video when he comes back to how this is a fantasy/fairy tale, explaining how it simply won't come true and says "So I hope you enjoyed your fantasy while it lasted... Bill" with such utter contempt that you realize that's coming from Goldberg in this match.

I do think they needed to do more of these style promos. Just someone cutting a promo for the sake of a promo instead of pulling previously said items. I understand that Paul Heyman is a masterful promo but I think anyone would benefit from this.
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8. Wrestlemania 29: The Rock vs. John Cena "Letters from the Sky"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXApCzhkbbw" data-time="

Hey, how do you retroactively justify a rematch to a "Once in a Lifetime" match? How do you create a storyline that clearly didn't exist until it was convenient right before the actual PPVs? How about randomly pulling some shots of Cena getting beat up and claiming that it's all because he lost to The Rock? I mean they wanted the rematch post-WM28 but they obviously didn't have this in mind initially.

But using a pretty solid song to sell the more somber nature of Cena's side of the storyline and it picking up when it returns back to The Rock's side of things is a pretty good choice. I'm not sure it quite fits lyrically, though. What's very appreciable is how much Cena's lines are driven by "I have to make this right" and Rock's lines are all, well, a little overconfident. But it makes sense considering what happened a year before.

"You ain't getting redemption, Jack! You're getting your ass kicked!"
"You think you can beat me? I know I can beat you."
"At Wrestlemania... I will beat you, again."

I do appreciate him using "I" instead of speaking in third person. It sells it in a much more personal nature, and I think it's much, much better than their WM28 promo and build.

But I really like this promo because of how it does a good job of underlining WHY we ended up with a rematch, it does a good job using footage from WM28 (although why they stuck that awful looking sharpshooter in there, I'll never know). I know it does the Cena hallmark of pulling all this old wins up to sell "this is why Cena is a legend" but it wasn't quite as overused as it is now. It's really well produced, tells a good story for a match no one really wanted, and it definitely sells the match.

Also a note: Cena and Rock show up again in promos.
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7. Wrestlemania 27: John Cena vs. The Miz "Hate Me Now"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GEq75UxSRE" data-time="

Now that we moved on from "how to retroactively sell a match" to "how to retroactively sell a performer." Even winning the world title, everything leading up to this WM match was basically all about Rock and Cena. And truthfully it still ended up being all about them. Miz was the thirdiest of third wheels to a match where he was the literal world champ.

But for a few minutes, you had to not just respect Miz, you completely understood everything he represented. Yes, it's a little bit cheating to pick an incredibly famous song to set this promo to and lyrically it might be a little bit off outside of the chorus, but combining Miz's character growth up until that point with the history of the WWF/E most famous moments really paints the portrait of who he has become.

Like after watching this you actually felt like Miz needed to win not to retain his title, but to prove a point. He had to prove his haters wrong one last time, to knock off a multiple time world champ with one of the biggest names in the WWE and Hollywood (well, not so much that at the time) looming over their match to prove that not only had he grown so much since his Real World days, but to prove that he was right.

The use of his watching the video himself also feeds into his egotistical side. It's not enough that this promo exists, he has to be seen of him watching it (on multiple screens) himself. Kind of to push the idea that he made this himself. That he made it on his own, that all his successes are his and his alone. It's why he says the old saying: "I'd rather you all hate me for everything I am than love me for something I'm not."

Honestly as good as Miz has been since 2016, this will always be my favorite Miz moment.
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you had 3 things in the first post and didnt 3. The Miz it and then you made him the 4th promo video? Whats wrong with you, do you even APWT bro
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6. Wrestlemania 31: Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt "And Then There Was Darkness"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0VkJmrz6zI" data-time="

There's gotta be something really hard about how to handle storytelling with Taker post-streak. You could use various methods to sell it. Some so desperate to prove they can beat him they'll risk everything. Some using mind games to get him off his game. The point was always "here's how I'll beat the streak."

Now the story is "how does Taker recover from the loss of the streak."

The use of old folk style music is a common occurrence in Taker promos, and using "The Man Comes Around" is a little bit of an odd choice. The more uptempo sound to sell the streak and then using a pretty basic music cutoff for when the streak actually ends. The choir singing Undertaker off is kinda corny, but still enjoyable.

Then Shaman's Harvest comes in and Bray starts tormenting Taker and it becomes brilliant. "Last night I had a real bad dream that you left me" could be interpreted as quite a few things: Wyatt lamenting the loss of the "darkness" in wrestling, the fans lamenting the loss of both the streak and Taker himself (who literally had not appeared since his defeat). "You didn't have a single word to say, you just walked away." I mean, it's literally there in the song.

And god, Bray was (is?) still such a great promo. You can tell he's attacking Taker from so many angles. Mocking him, goading him, practically begging him for this match at WM. Bray doesn't care nor ever did about the streak. He just wanted to destroy Taker. And keep in mind this whole build literally featured, what, 2 lines from Mean Mark? Yet thanks to Bray's promos they were able to pull out all these great lines to build this video and justify the entire Takerless build. Like you really can believe that Bray thinks he will become a god by defeating the Undertaker in a standard wrestling match.

As usual, good production. Mirroring Taker's image to Bray at various points sells the basic idea of "Bray is seeking to replace Taker" and it honestly reminds me of how much better Bray looked with his stringy, unkempt hair than his stupid braided hair. Like that man looked terrifying and unhinged when his hair was in his face.

Also, the lightning striking a chair while Bray laughs maniacally is good, dumb, fun.
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ScareChan posted...

you had 3 things in the first post and didnt 3. The Miz it and then you made him the 4th promo video? Whats wrong with you, do you even APWT bro

I put Miz at 7th, technically.
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Cant wait for this years inevitable classic Angle vs Corbin hype package
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Funny thing is I would probably put Hate Me Now as legitimately #3. Perhaps this topic will jog my memory but I know it's better than #6 already. One down 3 to go
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#1 the final go home raw before Mania 13.
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Wow, I forget how magical Bray Wyatt was. The lead up to Undertaker was a bit past his peak, but he could still weave magic and that promo package is the real deal. The promos themselves went on for months of course, but that package (like the Cena/Rock one) was golden.

How far the kraken has fallen since.

And where in the parts unknown is Luke freaking Harper these days?!

The Miz promo definitely helped shine a starring role light on The Miz though itd still be a few years, a stunt double, some talking smack, and showing off some excellent IC title feuds to before he would cement his status.

EDIT: I originally came to comment on how low you put a certain at number ten, then realized you hadnt ranked it yet and just watched a bunch of others. I dont even remember that triple h/taker promo despite watching it twice last night.

EDIT EDIT: Do you think there could be a promo package for this year's Mania that could make the top twenty if even break the top ten, and if so, which match do you think will be the one to do it?

The Becky/Ronda/Charlotte has a lot of storied material to work with (and work around), between NXT, main roster call up, Charlotte's title reigns, Becky's championship, Ronda's UFC, Becky Balboa into SummerSlam, SummerSlam, Evolution, Survivor series, face breaking, and everything that's happened since; and a Kofi history hype will be cool to see even if I, personally, was still hoping for a huge Miz/Bryan Wrestlemania package even though the match isnt happening.
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Top 10 promos? More like top 10th through 2nd place promos, am I right.

If what I think is #1 isn't...

A monster
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Keep running up that bill
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Tag
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Sorry I've been too busy, I plan on doing the rest soon enough.
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Shit.
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Wrestlemania buzz is still in the air! You can still finish this!
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5. Wrestlemania 30: Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena "Legacy"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0v4J1JsJeI" data-time="

Oh hey, good to see you again, Bray. There's actually two versions of this. A shorter and arguably tighter version of it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppiTzViQZrs" data-time="

I would argue both have strengths and weaknesses, but the core concept is just so well done. And I think I appreciate the longer version for featuring more of Cena's side of things. See, having to establish a fight around a nebulous concept as a "legacy" would be incredibly dumb in any other setting. Yet, at the time, there was a legit build around the idea of Bray pushing Cena too far and destroying the legacy of Cena. How he could do that in a single match at WM? Yeah silly, but entirely believable thanks to stuff like this video.

And there's some great imagery. "And if you fall..." (showing a winded Cena bending over ready to collapse) "I'll get you there." (cut to a dark shot of Wyatt holding his lantern). In a way, Wyatt was building around the idea that Cena would fall, be consumed by darkness, and Wyatt would be the guiding light to a new Cena. And it's cheating to use Eminem, but he always comes up with such oddities for lyrics. Which is so fitting for an, at the time, an enigma of a man in Wyatt. Of course, they pulled away from all the lyrics that didn't fit Wyatt so it fits.

And they pulled so many great moments of Cena's struggle against Wyatt. Him watching on in his rocking chair only to get blasted by Harper. Rowan tormenting him with his mask. Cena wrapped up in the ropes with the sheep mask over his face. The attack in the Elimination Chamber. It's very much a sign of how big of a hill this actually is for Cena. He's overwhelmed. He's legitimately struggling and having to overcome odds. All the highlights are his past, his legacy.

There's also so many great Wyatt quotes. Like pick a line, it's so good.
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I watched the short version first and can safely say the short version is like, way too short to sell me on a the match. I don't actually get what the feud is about there. It's more like a music video about nothing than a promo for the match.

Long video is much better, though I'm pretty low on Wyatt rambling in general and think Cena does a poor job of selling fear. I could see liking it if I really drank the Wyatt kool aid though.
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4. Wrestlemania 33: Roman Reigns vs. Undertaker "Blood on my Name"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69h-qJZHfvM" data-time="

Everything surrounding Taker/Reigns was terrible. I can't think of a single thing I liked about it, before, during, or after.

But god damn did they legitimately put together the best promo package outside of the big 3. And by a solid margin to be honest.

The theme of this video is so well done, I almost can't think it's intentional.

The first "half," so to speak, of the video uses a variation of "God's Gonna Cut You Down." And it makes sense because Taker is the closest thing to God in WWE. And it sells the idea of even Roman will eventually fall to Taker. Like, yeah, Taker had the loss to Lesnar and really a lot of losses to Lesnar, but largely everyone eventually succumbs to Taker. "You can run on for a long time, but some day God's gonna cut you down. Sooner or later God's gonna cut you down." Yes, Roman. Taker will come. Taker will cut you down. Your transgression at the Rumble will not be forgotten, as Taker plans him with a chokeslam. And then we get the highlights of Taker at Wrestlemania...

Then we get a song change.

There's a reckonin' a comin'.
And it burns beyond the grave.
Oh Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

I mean, it's pretty obvious what those lyrics are in the context of this match. Lazarus, the man raised from the dead by Jesus. A walking Dead Man. The song, along with the video, is letting Taker know that something is coming your way, and you have to pay those debts for all those years.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you.
With the hounds of hell coming after you.

It's so well done here. I mean, literally a member of the Shield, the group that used the Cerberus, a hound from hell, as it's logo. And a shot of Roman with "I've got blood on my name" coming out to show that being the one to end Taker was never going to be a celebrated moment. He's gonna have the blood of retiring Taker (granted it didn't stick, but it genuinely felt like it at the time) on his hands or name, so to speak.

And the video moves along with some highlights, then we get the refrain of "Oh Lazarus, how did your debts get paid" as we get a series of spear highlights. Once again, we're seeing how Taker is gonna pay his debts. He's gonna be speared to death by Roman.

Another smart element is how the only physical interactions between Taker and Reigns in the second half are all about Taker making empty threats and gestures. Sitting up, throat slashing, claiming to dig a special hole in Hell for Roman, appearing in the middle of the ring. Yet who is the one getting physical and attacking Taker? Roman. He's laying him out with a spear. Everything about this video is telling the story of Taker's end. Hell, the song literally says "Oh Lazarus, why you so afraid?" Taker is scared. He's trying to threaten Roman away, and he can't. He has to finally give the devil his dues that he owes him from over the years, and Roman is gonna deliver it.

God, this is so well done, I wish it was for a match I actually wanted.
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Lopen posted...

I watched the short version first and can safely say the short version is like, way too short to sell me on a the match. I don't actually get what the feud is about there. It's more like a music video about nothing than a promo for the match.

I disagree, sometimes short promos can be brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifqd5Mwekm8" data-time="

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i3QgEzYH1U" data-time="
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Well I'm not saying short can't be good. I'm saying in that case short was not good. I think the feud is a bit too complicated to adequately hype for the time given in the abbreviated one.
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I'll disagree with that, I think it's better as a longer video but the 1:30 one is really well done.
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Yeah that promo from Twice in a Lifetime is good stuff.

I can't believe this didn't purge.
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I'm pretty sure I know what two of the top three are but I still want to see them
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Bumpo.
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I don't know why I'm saving this but I am.
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Yes I will keep this alive.
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i was so curious once upon a time

when dinosaurs walked the earth
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Can we just post the Limp Bizkit already
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Lopen posted...

Can we just post the Limp Bizkit already

yeah sure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srhd2fZyDB4" data-time="
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Lopen posted...

Can we just post the Limp Bizkit already

Why would Limp Bizkit be in my top 3?
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I guess I overestimated you

With all this Bray Wyatt I should've known better
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