TOP 10: Voices of Wrestling
In memory of former WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel, affectionately known as "the Fink" and who passed away this week at the age of 69, we asked MEW's own Nic Paterson for his thoughts on the top 10 ring announcers of all time.
#10: Brandi Rhodes (WWE 2015-2016)
Cody’s better half could have gone on to be the best ring announcer of her generation. What a waste. Oh wait....
#9: Gary Michael Cappetta ( WWF/ AWA/ WCW)
Eric Bischoff fired his ass! Alright, maybe I’m creating some controversy here but Cappetta was released in 1995 by WCW citing “Budget cuts". I like to think it was because Bischoff was a heartless, crude major league dick who didn’t care about Cappetta or his family. That or he thought he was too old.
#8: Mike Rome (WWE 2016-present)
Mike, you are living the freaking dream! Good job. Your life on Instagram looks equally as cool as your WWE gig. Don’t mess it up!
#7: Tony Chimel (WWE Smackdown 1999-2007)
The ring crew on any pro wrestling show is a mixed bag of characters. They are like the geeks who run the spotlights in a high school play, the girls giggle at them and the actors snub them, but without them the show would not go on! Tony Chimel graduated from his role on the WWF ring crew to become the voice of Smackdown! Hard work pays off, and although he may never make it to the WWE Hall of Fame his cameo during Beth Phoenix’s induction in 2017 totally reeked of awesomeness.
#6: Justin Roberts (WWE 2002-2014 / AEW 2019-present)
Justin Roberts made it happen. Like a wrestler, he transitioned his career from the independent circuit to WWE and never looked back. He was released in 2014 after a twelve year run with the company. The dark days of unemployment didn’t get him down and in 2019 AEW came calling. No one is more deserving of a cheque signed by Mr. Tony Khan than Justin.
#5: David Penzer (WCW 1993-2001/ IMPACT 2005-2010 & 2017)
His boisterous voice was a fixture on WCW Monday Nitro and Thunder. In fact, he never missed a taping of either show. WCW had some funny camera angles and rarely provided visuals of their ring announcers (Besides Michael Buffer, of course) so we never truly got emotionally attached to you, David. Then we saw you on IMPACT and realized that maybe we should just be friends.
#4: Mike McGuirk (WWF 1986-1994)
Her father Leroy (a former wrestler & promoter) wanted a male heir to his throne so badly, he gave his daughter a dude’s name! Mike McGuirk was the first female ring announcer in pro wrestling history. She broke the barrier and did it in style, wearing only the finest custom-made female tuxedos while ring announcing during WWF’s heyday.
#3: Lilian Garcia (WWE 1999-2008)
Ah, Lilian. You are like homemade apple pie. A true classic and original in every way. A real gem. Alright, I’m done with the compliments. Ok, maybe one more: All of her backstage segments with The Rock were pure gold!
#2: Michael Buffer (WCW 1994-2000)
Yes, I have Buffer at #2. Far from a knock on the talented and tenured Lilian Garcia but when Eric Bischoff signed another major household name, this time to announce WCW Main Events on PPV and Nitro, the wrestling wars accelerated to a whole other level.
#1: Howard Finkel (WWF/E 1977-2019)
Presentation is everything in pro wrestling and no one presented pro wrestling with more heart, gusto, professionalism and love for the business than the late great Howard Finkel. “The Mount Rushmore" of WWE wrestlers is often debated. Undoubtedly, there is only room for one when it comes to the pinnacle of pro wrestling ring announcers. He'll always be remembered as the true "Voice of WWE".