The Best Wrestling Theme Song Montage There Is…

…the best there was, and the best there ever will be! …well, at least produced by me. When Howie gave me the opportunity to participate in USF’s Wrestlemania Week, I jumped at the chance to write about entrance music. So many great songs have been used over the years,  it’s hard to narrow it down to a handful. I decided to put together a montage of some of the best!

I’ll be the first to tell you, I’m a bit off my game. It’s been probably 10 years since I religiously watched the WWE. In fact, the late 90s when Nitro vs. Raw was at its peak was probably the last time I really enjoyed watching wrestling (nothing against WWE fans now). It’s just not that appealing to me as it was when I was in college and as a kid in the 80s. What hasn’t lost its luster is the feeling of jumping to your feet when you hear the sound or first few notes of your favorite wrestler’s entrance music.

Entrance music is an important part of a wrestler’s persona and can communicate to the fans just how they want to be portrayed. To me, the songs included in this montage are some of the best at doing just that. There are also other songs that to me are just great music. To help further the effect of entrance music in wrestling, I’ve included audio clips along with many of the songs.

Without further ado, here are the best ten and a half minutes you’ll spend online today!

Click here for the non-Flash version 

Included:

Hulk Hogan (Real American) – Probably the first song I associated particularly with wrestling. It’s still hard to listen to this song without picturing the Hulkster ripping his shirt.

Stone Cold Steve Austin – The glass breaking at the beginning is probably the best sound effect in wrestling history. You knew the “Texas Rattlesnake” was on the war path when you heard it.

Randy “Macho Man” Savage – Anyone else think of the Macho Man when they played “Pomp and Circumstance” during your high school graduation ceremony? Yeah, me too.

The Undertaker – I never really cared when Taker became a Harley Davidson commercial. I liked him better with Paul Bearer and the mystique of slowly walking to the ring with the lights low.

NWO (Black & White) – When the NWO was in full effect, this song really became the background of Nitro, as so many wrestlers used it…funny thing, I never got sick of it.

CM Punk – I haven’t watched much wrestling since Punk’s rise to fame, but from watching clips of him and reading Howie’s comments about him last year, “Cult of Personality” seems to fit him perfect. (Helps also that it’s a personal favorite!)

The Ultimate Warrior – I don’t remember getting to hear much of the song when he was in his heyday. He was always too busy running to the ring to shake the ropes! When you heard the first few seconds of the song though, it was always a “watch out- here he comes!” moment.

Degeneration X – Another song that just seemed to communicate the personality of the group. I can also picture the thousands of people holding up their hands in an “X” when I hear it.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper – Hot Rod was always one of my favorites to be interviewed. You knew your were in for a wise crack or two when you heard those bagpipes.

Goldberg – To me, Goldberg had one of the best entrance rituals in wrestling history. Hearing the marching drum beat, the steps onto the platform, the moment of calm on the ramp with his head down, the sparks flying, smoke gathering, and then BOOM!! The fireworks and the uppercuts would fly and it was all business!!

The Rock – Leading off the music with his catchphrase was a smart plan by the WWE. Definitely, ones of those “stand up” moments for the crowd at any match.

Diamond Dallas Page – I wonder WCW ever had to pay Nirvana for stealing “Smells Like Teen Spirit?” Nonetheless, it was a great knock off and probably helped him win over some fans.

Booker T – This song always seemed to get stuck in my head for some reason. (Probably why I added it here!) One of those songs that it’s hard to tell what style it really is…Rock? Hip hop? Techno? Being unique is what really stood out to me.

John Cena – Cena is a little past the era that I watched a lot of wrestling, but at every WWE show, half the fans in attendance are waving their hands across their face when they hear the horns at the beginning of this song.

Mick Foley – With the many personalities he portrayed, this song seemed to help communicate a somewhat “normal” Mick. I’m a sucker for a good guitar riff too.

Kurt Angle – Had to add this one just so every could sing along…”You suck!…You suck!…You suck!…You suck!” Even though the song ended up being a pain point for Angle, it definitely communicated the Olympic image he was going for.

NWO Wolfpack – I had a Wolfpack poster in my college dorm room…still have it, matter of fact. If you would’ve asked me what the typical entrance music for a group of white boys, I definitely wouldn’t have said “rap” in my answer. But I guess that’s probably why it worked well with their image.

Ric Flair –A perfect match to the personality of the Nature Boy. The flamboyant robes, the music, the “WOOOO!!!!”…a match made in wrestling heaven.

“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan – I began with Hogan and thought it was fitting to end with him. This is my personal favorite entrance song of all time. Jimi Hendrix in all of his glory, just seemed to fit with the “rock star” lifestyle that Hogan portrayed as the icon of the NWO. Another song that I hear and cannot imagine anything but Hogan playing his spray-painted championship belt like a guitar.

Now it’s your turn! If I had more time I could’ve easily added 19 more, but I’ll leave it up to you wrestling historians out there to add some honorable mentions and others that I SHOULD have included.