Two commentary teams always stand out in WWE’s history when looking back at their history. The duo of Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan won over the old school fans with their entertaining work coming in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s during many successful events.
Fans of the later ‘90s and early 2000s viewed Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler as the voices of our generation. Both teams had outstanding runs that showcased the magic of chemistry when calling a wrestling show together. Make your own choice for the better option when weighing each side.
10 Monsoon & Heenan: Better Comedy
The humorous moments between Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon topped any other commentary duo in that context. Both personalities perfectly played off each other when calling matches or hosting shows together.
Heenan was the perfect over the top heel commentator who defended any heel act while Monsoon typically followed with the infamous “Would you stop it?” line. WWE fans cracked up any time the duo worked together showing the best of comedy in wrestling.
9 Ross & Lawler: Longer Run
WWE found more long-term success with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler calling the action. Both personalities were initially placed with Vince McMahon in a three-man team during the New Generation Era before Vince left commentary ahead of his heel Mr.McMahon character becoming part of the show.
JR and Lawler were the main team of the Attitude Era and for most of the Ruthless Aggression Era. WWE kept them together to represent the Raw brand following the 2002 brand split for years until Ross was drafted away to Smackdown.
8 Monsoon & Heenan: WWE’s First Big Rise
The expansion of WWE took new heights during the time where Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan became the top commentary team. WWE started to add more annual PPVs with both men becoming the voices of the company.
Any promotion taking such strides would need to have depth from the in-ring to the commentary gigs to put together a competent product. Monsoon and Heenan made every match they commentate feel important if there were stakes on the line.
7 Ross & Lawler: Replacing Paul Heyman
The commentary team of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler ended for about nine months in 2001. Lawler left WWE when his wife Stacy “The Kat” Carter was released from her contract. Paul Heyman replaced Lawler for that time when ECW went out of business.
The commentary team of Ross and Heyman provided strong positives, but WWE preferred Heyman as a manager. Lawler returning after the Invasion storyline ended was a memorable moment that showed how much fans loved him paired with Ross.
6 Monsoon & Heenan: Heenan’s Farewell Angle
Bobby Heenan leaving WWE led to him coming up with the perfect way to get written off. The idea played out with Gorilla Monsoon getting tired of the antics of Heenan and kicking him out of the venue during an episode of Raw.
Heenan saw Monsoon throwing his luggage and belongings out in a hilarious fashion. The angle was done to give Heenan more time at home during health issues and ended their time working together in a productive way that provided storytelling.
5 Ross & Lawler: Jim Ross’ Emotion
WWE witnessed a new style of commentary when Jim Ross became the lead voice of the promotion. Ross was the voice of many all-time great WWE moments like Steve Austin’s first WWE Championship victory, the Montreal Screwjob and the Undertaker vs Mankind Hell in a Cell match.
The passion and excitement of Ross played into each moment feeling more important with his reactions appearing more genuine than the average play by play commentator. Lawler also did a great job at knowing when to be silent for JR to make a moment special.
4 Monsoon & Heenan: Heenan Still Managed
The managing career of Bobby Heenan was just as impressive as his broadcasting leading to WWE letting him do both. Heenan still worked with some of the top heels in the company and defended them on commentary.
Names like Ric Flair, Mr. Perfect and Haku were managed by Heenan during certain matches and praised by him during the shows. Gorilla Monsoon speaking up to challenge Heenan’s ridiculous takes helped the commentary become productive for Heenan’s wrestlers.
3 Ross & Lawler: Voices Of The Attitude Era
WWE reached a new level of success during the Attitude Era with ratings, buyrates and general fan interest all thriving. Names like Steve Austin, The Rock and Vince McMahon are rightfully credited first for the era’s success.
However, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler deserve more credit for being a strong commentary team. Both personalities added to the important matches and events that helped WWE rise to another level of success in the industry.
2 Monsoon & Heenan: Best Banter
No commentary team had better exchanges confronting each other than Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon. Despite being close friends outside of the shows, they loved to go at it with each other as the bickering provided huge excitement.
The back and forth added entertainment value that no other duo has been able to replicate. Commentators to try too hard like Corey Graves just end up looking like a cheap Heenan ripoff. The team had the perfect mix of a respected straight man like Monsoon standing up for his opinion and Heenan becoming a ridiculous hot take machine for the heels.
1 Ross & Lawler: Defending Each Other
One big difference for Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler compared to the other top commentary teams was the close bond between them being used on the show. Ross and Lawler worked so long together that they transitioned from being adversaries to acquaintances even when disagreeing.
Various heel wrestlers picking on Ross would see Lawler defending him like the entire feud with Tazz. JR became supportive of Lawler whenever he had his rare moments in the ring. WWE even placed in tag matches with the fans always rallying behind JR and the King.