The 5 Promo Archetypes (And How to Find Your Voice)

Jun 30

You know you need to cut better promos.
But what kind of promo should you cut?

Finding your voice on the mic is one of the hardest (and most important) parts of becoming a successful indie wrestler—especially in competitive scenes like Michigan indie wrestling.

Luckily, most great promos fall into one of five archetypes.

Find the one that fits, and you'll start to feel—and sound—like you.

🎭 Archetype 1: The Talk-First Technician

Keywords: serious, cold, calculating
Think: Bryan Danielson, Zack Sabre Jr.

“I’ve studied your weaknesses. I’m going to exploit them.”
Great for real wrestlers who don’t want to shout
Keep it short, dry, and dangerous

🔥 Archetype 2: The Unhinged Wild Card

Keywords: unpredictable, loud, dangerous
Think: Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston

Raw emotion, grit, maybe a little blood
Break the fourth wall (but don’t kill the story)
Perfect for hardcore or chaotic characters

💼 Archetype 3: The Egomaniac Heel

Keywords: arrogant, smug, punchable
Think: MJF, Ric Flair

Focus on yourself and how great you are
Mock the crowd, the city, your opponent’s gear
Make fans want to see you lose

🧡 Archetype 4: The Underdog with Grit

Keywords: heart, honesty, authenticity
Think: Sami Zayn, Mikey Whipwreck

Speak with emotion, not ego
Tell your struggle story
Great for babyfaces trying to connect

🌀 Archetype 5: The Cult of Personality

Keywords: weird, magnetic, unforgettable
Think: Bray Wyatt, Orange Cassidy, Danhausen

Talk in riddles, rhymes, or silence
Embrace gimmick-forward language
Your promos should be distinctly yours

🪐 What Works at Planet Wrestling

In Planet Wrestling, we’ve got all five:

Cesar Ashur is the egomaniac heel with a motor mouth
ELK is pure chaos (half Wild Card, half Caveman Prophet)
Atlas Hytower is the heart-driven babyface who means it

And that mix? It’s what keeps fans coming back.

🧪 Try This: Cut a Promo in Each Archetype

You’ll find your voice not by waiting—but by experimenting.
The one that makes your skin tingle? That’s probably the one that works.

Three Y's Men Media