Shelton Benjamin, a member of AEW’s The Hurt Business, may not be the most outspoken in his faction, which also includes MVP and MJF, but he pays close attention to promo skills in wrestling. He recently praised WWE star John Cena as the best promo in the business, highlighting Cena’s position as a flagship figure of professional wrestling and a peer from their Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) days. Benjamin admires Cena’s ability to make any wrestler sound convincing when he cuts a promo, even comparing him favorably against other big names like Randy Orton, Batista, and Brock Lesnar. Reflecting on his own journey, Benjamin shared how he used to practice talking to himself in the mirror to calm his nerves, a technique encouraged early on in his career by Vince McMahon. Currently, Benjamin is enjoying success in AEW as one half of the AEW World Tag Team Champions alongside Bobby Lashley, achieving one of the longest title reigns since January 22nd.
Fan Take: Shelton Benjamin’s recognition of John Cena’s promo mastery underscores the importance of strong mic skills in wrestling, a crucial element that AEW fans value greatly. This acknowledgment also signals that the art of storytelling in promos remains vital across promotions, potentially inspiring AEW talents to elevate their in-ring narratives and connect more deeply with audiences.