Does anyone else find that he's overrated for his mic skills? The guy usually just said stupid typical hard-ass strong 'bully' type things that would get the crowd rowdy. I don't really find that to be great 'mic skills'.
I'd say Rock gets shitted on for having catchphrases. Its his biggest mic criticism. Unless you are a Rock mark people are usually running Rock down for not being good because he uses them. And yes, Rock's promo actually do have substance without the use of a catchphrase. Once again, the promo he cut before facing Austin at Mania XIX is solid proof of that.Point 2 (catchphrases and Rock comparisons):
Austin & Rock had two different styles. Austin was more intense and aggressive while Rock was more comedic. They both are good mic workers but neither are the BEST.
As far as catchphrases are concerned, they can be useful but some people rely on them. Rock promos have no substance w/o catchphrases. Ric Flair had catch phrases but Flair's promos have a ton of substance, Piper had ZERO catchphrases and was an awesome mic worker. Catchphrases automatically don't mean good mic worker.
Here's the hypocrisy:
Rock gets a lot of credit for his catchphrases (OMG TEH ROCK IZ DE GREATEEST!!! DA MILIONZ!!!!) Rock does most corny comedy ("hermie", "thong wearing fatty") and people swear that he's the greatest ever. Austin's promos weren't that much better or worse depending on the promo. Antics got both guys over not necessarily promo skills.