Promo (professional wrestling)

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In professional wrestling, a promo is short for "promotional interview," a dialogue or monologue used to advance a storyline. The act of delivering such an interview is known in the business and by fans as cutting a promo. A promo targeted to denigrate or insult another individual, stable, or a rival promotion is said to be cut on the target (e.g., "Triple H cut a promo on Batista"). A promo is designed to help the audience identify or dislike a wrestling persona. The term "promo" can also refer to a vignette or video package, particularly those which introduce a wrestler or gimmick.

Some wrestlers have made careers off of their ability to cut good promos. They are said to be "good on the mic." Nick Bockwinkel, Ole Anderson, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Dusty Rhodes, The Rock, Jim Cornette, Sunny, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Mick Foley, Jesse Ventura, Jake Roberts, Chris Jericho, Terry Funk, Harley Race, Randy Savage, and Roddy Piper's careers were made on their ability to cut good promos, some in conjunction with their excellent ring-work (eg. Jericho, Michaels, Flair), and some not (eg. Hogan, Sunny). Talent on the mic is a valuable commodity for a pro wrestler because they can still get work despite an injury or diminishing ring skills. Many wrestlers become well known for promos due to their generally humorous nature. The Rock, Chris Jericho, Christian Cage, Armando Alejandro Estrada, Trish Stratus, Carlito, Santino Marella, and Scott Hall are good examples of this. John Bradshaw Layfield, Edge, Raven, Mr. Kennedy and Booker T are also known to give engaging heel promos. Raven has been commended on multiple occasions, by fans, for his skills at delivering heel promos.

However, some wrestlers have become popular by in-ring skills (e.g. Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, Rey Mysterio, Ricky Steamboat, Lita, Bryan Danielson), physical attributes (e.g. The Big Show, Sable, Chyna, Stacy Keibler), or gimmick (e.g. Doink the Clown, Kane, Eugene) alone. In many cases, such wrestlers either lack promo skills, have the wrong kind of voice for promos, (e.g. Bobby Lashley), speak a foreign language (either in kayfabe or reality) (e.g. The Great Khali, Daivari), or just never did them as part of the gimmick (e.g. Sabu, Umaga).