5 legendary promos that changed WWE forever

Ever since Pro-Wrestling became a well-renowned sport in America, it has been growing and reaching newer heights with each passing year. Wrestling has given us tons of legendary moments over the course of the past few decades.

Although the fans watch wrestling in hopes of witnessing some good quality back and forth action inside the squared circle, many of us watch it for the storylines, and how they progress with each passing week. The best way to progress a storyline is to give a mic in the hand of a wrestler. Throughout the years, wrestlers have carved a niche for themselves just by having excellent mic skills.

Superstars like Austin, The Rock and Hogan wouldn't have become the legends they are, if they hadn't shown their exceptional mic skills in front of the sea of fans. Let's take a look at some of the greatest promos in the history of this business, that went on to change the landscape of the WWE forever.

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#5 Paul Heyman's shoot on McMahon

A wrestling genius!

On the final SmackDown before Survivor Series 2001, Vince McMahon was called out by the co-leader of the Alliance, Paul Heyman.

The 5-on-5 traditional elimination Survivor Series match was set for Sunday and was packed with the greatest superstars of the Attitude Era. McMahon's team had the likes of Rock, Jericho, Undertaker, Kane and Big Show. The Alliance, on the other hand, consisted of Austin, Angle, RVD, Shane and Booker T.

Paul Heyman was told by WWE Chairman beforehand that he could say whatever he wanted. This resulted in one of the most real promos in all of wrestling, as Paul Heyman spent a good amount of time berating Vince McMahon for all the things he had done over the past to benefit himself. He practically turned the promo into a real shoot by stating how McMahon had screwed promoters during the Rock and Wrestling Era, in order to capture the entire wrestling market in North America.

The promo is widely regarded as being the best segment of Paul Heyman's career, and is a testament to why Heyman is still on the payroll with WWE, two decades after this promo.

#4 Hard times on Dusty Rhodes

The promo that made Rhodes a star

This wasn't a WWE promo by any mean, but is widely regarded as being the greatest promos in wrestling history, indirectly paving the way for promotions like WWE and WCW to improve their product to match the intensity and determination shown by Dusty in this promo.

During the buildup to his match with Flair, Dusty Rhodes delivered this legendary promo, calling out Ric for putting hard times on Dusty, and snatching his livelihood. Dusty compared his situation with the average worker in America, who suffers throughout his life as his bosses and his peers put hard times on him.

The audience didn't have a hard time appreciating Dusty's promo, as he was the embodiment of the average American, who was being screwed over by the Government and society. Dusty's build matched the average American too, and that did nothing but help this legendary promo's cause.

#3 C.M. Punk's Pipebomb

Punk addressing Cabana in his promo

CM Punk was about to leave the WWE in mid-2011. The company immediately put him into a big-time program with the current champion, John Cena. The build-up kicked off when Punk cost Cena a tables match against R Truth on Raw.

Punk proceeded to sit on the ramp and completely changing the landscape of the WWE for years to come. The promos ushered the company into a new era, now famously dubbed as "The Reality Era".

Punk went on a tirade, calling The Rock by his real name, Dwyane. He added that Hogan and The Rock are the biggest Yes Men on WWE history. He promised to leave the WWE with the title and defend it in various promotions all across the world.

Punk was about to go too far and spill some dirty secrets when the mic was cut off and a frustrated Punk screamed at the sea of fans, who had just witnessed a promo that would change WWE forever.

#2 Hogan turns heel

The promo that kicked off the Monday Night Wars

At the Bash at the Beach PPV in 1996, Hall and Nash were slated to face off against the team of Sting, Randy Savage, and Lex Luger. "The Outsiders", as WCW liked to call them, had promised that their third partner was going to come by later.

The handicap match kicked off, and during the final moments of the match, we saw Hulk Hogan coming towards the ring, to the elation of the fans. Suddenly he hit a leg drop on the unconscious Randy Savage, as the sea of fans watched in utter disgust.

For the first time since Terry Bolea became Hollywood Hulk Hogan; he had turned heel! Hogan went on to give a scathing promo in the middle of the ring, belittling the fans for going against him. He promised that his faction, dubbed the NWO, was going to take over WCW. This was the official start to the Monday Night Wars.

#1 Austin 3:16

The birth of Austin 3:16

Vince McMahon was on his toes 24/7 after WCW turned Hogan heel. It was clear that McMahon had to change his product in order to compete with WCW on a weekly basis. Steve Austin had just been recruited after his brief stint in ECW.

When Austin won the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Jake Roberts in the finals, he went on the podium for his interview. What followed is still considered as the promo that kicked off the Attitude Era, resulting in edgy programming that helped WWE fend off WCW and emerge victorious in the Monday Night War.

Stone Cold Steve Austin referenced the Bible, making up his own verse that stated, "Austin 3:16 just whooped your a**!" This quote was made into a T-shirt, which became the highest selling WWE merchandise of all time. Austin's rise to the top was a story that single-handedly saved WWE from going bankrupt, and losing to Ted Turner's corporation, WCW.

What moments did I miss? What should be #1 in your opinion?

Sound off in the comments!