Mike Bailey Reveals Who Inspired His Promo Style in AEW

Mike Bailey gave credit to two top AEW stars who influenced how he delivers promos.

During an interview with Close-Up w/ Renee Paquette, Bailey talked about how quickly he was thrown into AEW’s weekly storytelling. He also reflected on getting into an major promo segment with Kenny Omega just weeks after his debut.

“Yeah. I mean, I had wrestled on TV before, right? But nothing like how AEW presents the stories that in-depth. So, and I mean, English is my second language. I am not known to be a promo guy. I’ve never had to be. I’ve never wanted to be. The guys that did that on TV, that just went and kind of talked smack to their opponents, were never the people that that wasn’t really a thing in and out of pro wrestling. Right. Even in, like, MMA, I’m a huge fan of Georges St-Pierre.”

Mike Bailey mentioned that he not just fan of UFC legend Georges St-Pierre’s athleticism but for the way he carried himself with dignity and respect throughout his UFC career. When asked if he looked up to him, especially as someone from Quebec, Canada, Bailey said he definitely did.

When asked if there are any wrestlers he looks to for inspiration in promos, he pointed to Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. “I think Kenny Omega. I think Will Ospreay. Because they are people that again, the promo style in Japan you don’t cut a promo, right? It’s very different. There’s a lot more just talking like a normal human being. And I feel like those are two guys who sound natural when they cut promos. It’s their actual voice.”