30 Day Wrestling Challenge - Day 9 Favourite Commentary Team

Apr 27, 20203 min read

There have been so many brilliant combinations behind the commentators desk it is very hard to choose just one pair. Which is why Dom van Dam argues, the greatest isn't a team at all... but a single Philadelphia voice.

DOM VAN DAM - JOEY STYLES

When people remember ECW there are routinely a few things that are revered: the violence, the hardcore, the weapons, the athleticism and the rebellion.

Something that always stands out for me with ECW however, which might not get recognised enough in contributing to its success, was the youthful hunger of its roster. As a general rule, the locker room were so willing to take the athletic, hardcore and violent risks because of their youthful exuberance.

In wrestling, nostalgia is so sought after that companies can overlook the virtues of youth. The best example that comes to mind is the DX return in 2008. Amongst the hippest and coolest acts on WWE TV at that time were The Miz and John Morrison. As such they were paired with a returning DX for a bit of a mini-feud.

But it always blew my mind that in the promos between the 2 teams, the writing suggested that the middle aged DX who were carrying on like teenagers and laughing at their own dick jokes were “cooler” than the young, fashionable and woke A Crowd.

ECW weren’t completely guilt free when it came to employing established stars to pop a rating or buy rate, but one place where ECW always presented the virtue of youth was in their commentary.

Joey Styles was a breath of fresh air for me when I first watched ECW. As much as I respected the play by play of Ross and Schiavone or the humour of Heenan and Lawler; Joey Styles felt like a wrestling commentator, pundit and fan that spoke for my generation.

He approached his product with the excitement of youth. He was cool to the viewer but not because he was cynical or was constantly putting himself over. He was cool to the rabid, hardcore fan base because he was knowledgeable and unashamedly loved ECW.

When the call needed sentiment, Styles would provide it: “do you believe in miracles?”

When the call required a level head and research, Styles would provide it. Think about the way he made visiting, mysterious, unknown Japanese or Mexican talent relevant to the viewer between the space of two strikes of the ring bell.

Finally, if the call required excitement or shock, Styles would provide it: “OH MY GOD!”

I learnt so much about wrestling from listening to Joey Styles. But like a true trendsetter and anyone who is truly cool, he also knew when it was time to call it a day before he grew old or tiresome.

As such, he will forever be the voice of the younger generation and always relevant.

30 DAY CHALLENGE

DAY 1 - FAVOURITE MALE WRESTLER

DAY 2 - FAVOURITE FEMALE WRESTLER

DAY 3 - FAVOURITE MOMENT YOU'VE SEEN LIVE

DAY 4 - FAVOURITE TAG TEAM

DAY 5 - YOUR FIRST WRESTLING MEMORY

DAY 6 - FAVOURITE FACTION

DAY 7 - FAVOURITE PROMOTION

DAY 8 - FAVOURITE MANAGER

DAY 9 - FAVOURITE COMMENTARY TEAM

DAY 10 - FAVOURITE ENTRANCE THEME