20 Favorite Wrestling Themes

Entrance themes are an important aspect of Professional Wrestling. They help define a character and let the crowd know who is on their way out. This is a list of my favorite 20 in no particular order.

Real American- Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan is my absolute favorite wrestler of all time, and he is also a sports entertainment icon. Real American is a theme that not only fits his patriotic and do what's right attitude, but became so identifiable with him over the years. I find a theme song to be most powerful when the crowd recognizes it instantly and reacts, and sure enough, whenever this song would strike up, everyone would be whipped into a frenzy. I'll never forget hearing it live at my first ever live event, when that all too familiar tune blasted across the Daytona Ocean Center and my hero came down the aisle to do battle in a steel cage with the Big Boss Man, I just went crazy and so did the crest of the crowd. To this day after 20 plus live events I've yet to hear an ovation as loud and heartfelt as that which the Hulkster recieved.

The New World Order Theme

Yes, it was technically another Hogan theme, but hey whenever I hear his music, no matter what he's using I get excited. Also the NWO was such an instrumental part in the wrestling craze of the late 90's, as they became a giant success and an influental force in wrestling history. The NWO dominated sports entertainment for almost 2 years, and their cool music was constantly being played, making it one of the most recognizable themes ever.

Eye of the Tiger- Hulk Hogan (Pre- Real American)

When Hulkamania was first born, before he was identified with Real American, he made his way to the ring with this classic song from Rocky III. When you hear Eye of the Tiger first start up you know what song it is, and in the days prior to the Hulkster donning the red and yellow, and was clad in all white, or even the fabled blue atire, this was what got the crowd on it's feet for his arrival. There's nothing like seeing the circa 1985 MSG fans absolutley EXPLODE upon the first few notes of this adreniline pumping anthem.

The Ultimate Warrior's Theme

This fast paced, rockin' tune fit the unorthodox Ultimate Warrior perfectly, who preffered running full speed down the aisle rather than walk. Once in the ring he'd continue prancing about like a 5 year old on a sugar high, and shake the ropes. His theme matched his actions well, and is a cool listen if you ask me.

D-Generation X Theme

ARE YOU READY? That was what you heard when DX prepared to make their entrance, and it became a familar sound on WWF TV in the "Attitude" years of the late 90's. The song was a defiant anthem which explained DX quite well,  and was a sweet as all heck song that was hard to resist rocking out to as well.

Stone Cold Steve Austin's Theme

Easily one of the most reconizable songs in wrestling, this song opened with the now famous sound of glass shattering. There was no mistake who that was coming to the ring, it was the Texas Rattlesnake Stone Cold Steve Austin, a man who became one of the most wildly popular athletes in sports entertainment. When you heard the glass it meant your ass!

The Rockers/Marty Jannetty's Theme

I've always been a mark for the Rockers, Shawn Michales and Marty Jannetty, and their theme relflected their name. It was a late 80's- Early 90's type rock song that I still jam to today. After the Infamous break-up (Shawn put Marty through the "Barbershop window"), Michales became the Heartbreak Kid (HBK), and Marty, now on his own, continued using this sweet theme. I can say one of my biggest mark out moments came when Marty FINALLY got his revenge on Michales by beating him for the Intercontinental Title live on Monday Night Raw. After his victory this theme rocked the arena and is something I identify this song with.

Demolition's Theme

My Favorite Tag Team of all time's theme, and one of my favorite songs. Real American is also a favorite song of mine and guess what? They are by the same guy! That's why I bring it up, because Rick Derringer strikes gold again when he made this great theme. The Demos (Ax and Smash) were the COOLEST most ass kicking team EVER, and this song expressed that. No matter who you are, put this song on full blast and ROCK!

Legion of Doom's 1st WWF Theme

Most who hear this pick up on the fact ot is a ripoff of Black Sabbath's classic "Ironman," which was the team's theme before they entered the WWF. I just love the song's opening of Hawk's "OOOOH WHAT A RUSH!" followed by a hard rocking guitar riff. The music fits so well and has a distinctive intro, a very important aspect of a memorable theme.

Bret Hart's 2nd WWF Theme ("Hart Attack")

Any theme of a favorite wrestler of mine will always be associated with good memories, thus making the list. During this song's use Bret became a franchise player for the WWF, giving it a stand out quality, I mean if there is one recognizable entrance theme, it has to belong to a top guy right? It rocks as well, starting with the high pitched wail of a guitar, followed by the "dun, dun, dun, dun" sound that builds louder as it progresses, symbolizing a heart beat,  building excitement before the "Hitman" comes through the curtain.

Shawn Michaels' "Sexy Boy" 2nd Version

Fans of the WWF during the genesis of the self proclaimed Heartbreak Kid know that he had Sensational Sherri as a manager, and she sung his theme, the original version of "Sexy Boy". But after that relationship fizzled, HBK updated the song by singing it himself. The only major difference is in that when Sherri sung it the song was her talking about him, and his version just changes the lyrics slightly so he's referring to himself. He's been using this version since the mid- 90's, making it one of the longest lasting, and most recognizable themes to date. Also it's incredibly catchy and fun to sing along to.

Razor Ramon's Theme

As I've mentioned several times the opening to a theme is important, the more distinctive it is, the better chance it will catch on. Razor's theme definitely has a memorable opening, the sound of the screeching tires grabs the attention of any crowd, and let's them know to make way for the "Bad Guy"! The music reflects the fact he is a Cuban form Miami, with the cool beat that can remind you of cruising down the streets of Little Havana.

Ricky Steamboat WWF 1st Theme

I don't know the name but it's a popular song for sporting events, it has that "epic" feel to it that gives you goosebumps when you hear it. I'll never forget after Steamboat's Intercontinental victory in front of 93,000+ at the legendary Wrestlemania III, this song striking up, making the moment just a little more special.

Crush's "Kona Crush" Theme

Many fans will tell you this is one of the most awesome entrance themes ever, and I agree. It kicks off with a Jimmi Hendix style guitar riff and goes into a cool echo effect guitar sound. It's the sort of music that you just know a bad ass uses, if somebody had it today, it would still be just as affective.

Slick's/Akeem/Twin Towers' Theme- Jive Soul Bro

There isn't much to say about this but that it's awesome, sung by the "Slickster" himself, it's just so funky!

Honky Tonk Man's Theme

I am a big fan of Honky, and he delivers as the singer of  this great 50's style rock and roll theme, with some great comments throughout such as "Elvis who? He couldn't carry a tune if it had handles on it!"

17-20 coming soon!