As professional wrestling grew from a business based around two men fake fighting, to a fully functioning entertainment genre, promoters (read: Vince McMahon) started making money off many aspects of the business. One of the most profitable aspects is theme music. Audiences love a great entrance song for their favorite wrestlers. Here are the 20 greatest wrestling entrance songs of all time.
20) I’m Back
When Eric Bischoff made his debut for the WWE, he was given a very memorable theme song. “I’m back.” A rhythmic toe tapper. A bouncy rocker, if there ever was one. The song could have easily fit into the more gimmick driven world of 80s wrestling.
19) The Mountie Always Gets His Man
Although the wrestler The Mountie may only be remembered by hardcore wrestling fans, his theme song still remains one of the catchiest and somewhat annoying song of all time. Jacques Rogeau used the theme song in singles competition as The Mountie, as well as during his team as a tag team member in The Quebecers.
18) Hard Time
The World Wrestling Federation created “Hard Time” at the peak of their cartoonish gimmicky creations. Hard Time is a guilty pleasure. Fun and bouncy, totally unintimidating. It sounds like a song that would be played on a Childrens radio station. For many fans, the songs holds a lot of nostalgia and memories. Unfortunately, the World Wrestling Federation haven’t used the theme song since 1993 when Bossman left for WCW. Even upon his return, “Hard Time” was no longer.
17) American Dream
When Dusty Rhodes arrived in the WWF, Vince McMahon and friends did whatever they could to flush Rhodes down the toilet. They even made him a plumber and saddled him with corny entrance music like “American Dream.” And yet, Dusty Rhodes, with all his charisma and charm, made the song work. Still to this day, you can occasionally catch Dusty Rhodes on Raw dancing to this hilarious theme song.
16) Money
“Money, Money, Money, Money, Money…” What an incredible entrance theme song. The “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase still pops up today on WWE Raw and even fans that weren’t alive during Dibiase’s heyday welcome the blaring theme song. It’s so different from the generic theme songs many guys get today.
15) What A Rush
“Oh what a ruuuuush.” The moment you heard Road Warrior Hawk’s coarse voice thunder through the arena, you immediately wanted to get on your feet and scream. And then of course, you wanted to suck on a cough drop in hopes of never sounding like Road Warrior Hawk.
14) NwO
The theme song to the New World Order was a mix of old school funk and 70s porn music. It was different for its time, and described the obnoxious NWO members perfectly. The song lends itself a laid back and cool swagger, which was typical Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. Kevin Nash is currently using the theme song in WWE but it lacks the same feel it had in 1997. Maybe its because Nash is no longer Big Daddy Cool.
13) Evolution
The faction Evolution will never be regarded as the greatest wrestling stable. After all, they were only together for two years. But the group did have a killer theme song. Although the entrance music was very similar to Triple H’s “The Game,” it was different enough to stand out. The lyrics also lent itself perfectly to the stable of men.
12) Burn In My Light
To me, it seems like Randy Orton changes his theme song every couple years. Whether this is because he also changes his gimmicks, or its just WWE’s way of releasing more entrance theme albums, who knows. “Burn In My Light” is Randy Orton’s best and more memorable entrance themes.
11) The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie
What else would you expect from a wild Scottish lad named “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. The bagpipes blared wildly throughout arenas across the world. It signaled a fight was about to begin. Unfortunately, I always felt this entrance theme was hindered by the fact that funerals for military families and police officers are usually associated with bag pipes, thus making Piper’s theme song somewhat depressing.
10) If You Smell What The Rock Is Cooking
For some, this may very well be the greatest theme song of all time. It could certainly be argued that way. However, after the opening “If you smell what the Rock is cooking,” the song is kind of under whelming and not very catchy. Regardless, because of it’s incredible recognition, it is one of the greatest wrestling entrance themes of all time.
9) Pomp and Circumstance
If there were ever a perfect theme song, this would be it. “Pomp and Circumstance” was the perfect associate to “Macho Man” Randy Savage. The song was majestic and royal, smooth and memorable. All words that describe the man Randy “Macho Man” Savage. His funeral was a private affair, but I can only hope he was laid to rest to “Pomp and Circumstance.”
8) No Chance
Of course Vince McMahon would get a theme song that is memorable and indicative of his character. I’d be willing to bet there were several versions of this song before McMahon finally approved what we have today. Vince McMahon…he’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
7) The Time is Now
John Cena’s theme song is the “Real American” for the new generation of WWE fans. The rap song isn’t so child like that it makes older fans feel like children, but it’s certainly a entrance song that appeals to the younger generation. And with his large purple and orange shirts, and big goofy ape like features, John Cena is what appeals to the younger generation too.
6) Graveyard Symphony
The Undertaker’s entrance music is dark and disturbing, much like the original Undertaker character. At any arena is any part of the world, the minute the lights shut off and the first “gong” is heard, the crowd erupts in appreciation. The Undertaker is the most beloved wrestler in WWE history. A loyal workhorse to Vince McMahon and his mega conglomerate.
5) Voodoo Child
Jimi Hendrix’s classic “Voodoo Child” was used by Hulk Hogan when he turned babyface in his run with WWE. This was in 2002, after the collapse of WCW. The song worked incredibly well for Hogan, whose brittle legs begged him for a theme song that could stroll him to the ring. Hogan no longer had to pound the pavement like the foot thumping “Real American” made him. “Voodoo Child” was smooth and relaxed, and it made the older Hogan 10 years cooler.
4) The Game
“The Game” is part rock and roll, and other part theater. The way Triple H used the grunge song and worked with it, and moved to it, is a real compliment to how smart Triple H is. It truly is a piece of art, the way Triple H makes the song complete his entrance. He always hits his cues, and spits his water in the air as the song crescendos. It’s pretty awesome.
3) Sexy Boy
“Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels is privileged enough to have a theme song that is so memorable that fans react to it the instant the first instrument is heard. It’s a repetitive beat, but repetitive doesn’t always equal bad. If anything, its a good way of getting fans hooked.
2) Glass Shatters
The “Texas Rattlesnake” took off in 1996, in large part to his entrance theme. The minute the glass shattered, it gave the crowd the opportunity to pop. It matched his personality, a key part in ones popularity. Could you ever picture Steve Austin being as big and popular as he was if he came out to anything else?
1) Real American
Hulk Hogan’s most famous entrance music is the greatest wrestling theme song of all time. It encompasses everything that is right and good in the world. It described the ultra good Hulk Hogan character to a T. The theme song has strong cross appeal too, as President Barack Obama used it at the White House Correspondents dinner. Hulk Hogan even made a cameo in the video.
Luckily for us, WWE is still great at making great original pro wrestling theme songs. But as of right now, these are the 20 greatest wrestling theme songs of all time.