Music in professional wrestling
Encyclopedia
Music in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music
in professional wrestling
is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring. The music and wrestling industries also have a history of cross-promotion that reached its peak in the 1980s during the World Wrestling Federation
's "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection."
(WWF) participated in the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection", a period of cooperation and cross-promotion between the WWF and elements of the music industry. During this time, WWF wrestler Lou Albano
appeared in Cyndi Lauper
's music video for the single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun
" in 1983. In return, Lauper appeared on WWF television, challenging Albano to a match, where the female wrestler of his choice would fight the female wrestler of her choice. Lauper chose Wendi Richter
, while Albano chose The Fabulous Moolah
, and the match was scheduled for July 23, 1984 at The Brawl to End it All
, broadcast live on MTV
. Meanwhile, WWF wrestlers also appeared in Lauper's videos for "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough
", "Time After Time
", and "She Bop
".
and pyrotechnics
. After a match, the entrance theme of the victor will normally be played as they exit the ring, although some wrestlers have a separate song that plays when they exit, ranging from a similar piece or remake, to something completely different. Entrance themes are used to alert the audience to the immediate arrival of a wrestler, and to increase anticipation. Themes are usually composed by an in house composer, although lower card wrestlers may use royalty free tracks from music libraries. Wrestlers who are popular or are being 'pushed' by the writers might be given licensed music, from a major label band, such as Triple H, who frequently uses music performed by the band Motörhead. Music can also signal a change in a wrestler's character, such as when Eddie Gurrerro changed his theme song "Latino Heat" to another in-house composition called "Gangsta Lean", to symbolize his change from a babyface to a heel
. The actual lyrics of the two songs were very similar, but the tone and music lead fans to understand a change had occurred to the character.
Entrance themes are often tailored to the gimmick of the wrestler for whom they are written or selected. For example, Jacob and Eli Blu (The Blu Brothers) had an entrance theme in the World Wrestling Federation
that resembled a piece of Blues
music, while The Undertaker has often used entrance themes based on Chopin
's Funeral March and include the ringing of an eerie bell
, which opens his theme. Sometimes, opening notes or sounds of a song become a trade mark. In the early 2000's, The Undertaker's changed from a death-like figure to a rough-and-tumble biker. He changed music from his traditional dirge to rock music. These songs all mixed so they had the signature 'bell toll' in front of them, so fans would always know who was coming. Likewise, several themes used by Triple H
have a similar guitar riff.
The history of entrance themes is not clear, but Glen Stride is often cited as being the first wrestler to be accompanied to the ring by music. In the early 1950s, female champion Mildred Burke
often entered to theme music, while Gorgeous George
was associated with "Pomp and Circumstance
," a song which was later used regularly by "Macho (King) Man" Randy Savage
. Sgt. Slaughter
, who has sometimes claimed to have introduced the idea to Vince McMahon, Sr.
, entered to the "Marines' Hymn
" at a Madison Square Garden
show in the 1970s. The practice did not become widespread until the 1980s, however, when the Fabulous Freebirds, Hulk Hogan
, the Junkyard Dog
and various World Class Championship Wrestling
performers began using rock music for entrance themes.
The first wrestling company to incorporate music into the ring was World Class Championship Wrestling based out of Dallas,Texas.
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
in professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring. The music and wrestling industries also have a history of cross-promotion that reached its peak in the 1980s during the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
's "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection."
Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection
In the 1980s, the World Wrestling FederationWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF) participated in the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection", a period of cooperation and cross-promotion between the WWF and elements of the music industry. During this time, WWF wrestler Lou Albano
Lou Albano
Louis Vincent "Captain Lou" Albano was an Italian-American professional wrestler, manager and actor. He was active as a professional wrestler from 1953 until 1969, then he became a manager, until 1995....
appeared in Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
's music video for the single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Girls Just Want to Have Fun may refer to:In music:* "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", the first major single released by singer Cyndi Lauper on She's So UnusualIn film:...
" in 1983. In return, Lauper appeared on WWF television, challenging Albano to a match, where the female wrestler of his choice would fight the female wrestler of her choice. Lauper chose Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter is a retired American professional wrestler. She began her professional wrestling career in companies such as the National Wrestling Alliance, where she teamed with Joyce Grable, with whom she held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice. In the 1980s, she joined the World...
, while Albano chose The Fabulous Moolah
The Fabulous Moolah
Mary Lillian Ellison , better known by her ring name The Fabulous Moolah, was an American female professional wrestler. She began her career working with promoter Billy Wolfe and his wife, wrestler and trainer Mildred Burke, as well as working alongside professional wrestler "Nature Boy" Buddy...
, and the match was scheduled for July 23, 1984 at The Brawl to End it All
The Brawl to End it All
The Brawl to End It All was a professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation and broadcast live on MTV. It took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on July 23, 1984. The show was a major event in the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection in the mid-1980s WWF...
, broadcast live on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. Meanwhile, WWF wrestlers also appeared in Lauper's videos for "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough
The Goonies 'R' Good Enough
"The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" is a song by American singer Cyndi Lauper. It was released as a single for The Goonies, a 1985 film which was released around the same time as the single...
", "Time After Time
Time after Time (Cyndi Lauper song)
"Time After Time" is a song by American singer Cyndi Lauper, released as the second single from her album She's So Unusual. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 9, 1984, and remained there for two weeks...
", and "She Bop
She Bop
"She Bop" is a song by American singer Cyndi Lauper, released as the third single from her album She's So Unusual. It reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 9, 1984. Worldwide, the song is her most commercially successful single after "Time After Time", and reached number...
".
Official theme songs
In addition, in the modern era of televised professional wrestling, promotions often choose "official theme songs" for both television programs and pay-per-views.Entrance themes
The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring, often accompanied by a music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and pyrotechnics
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
. After a match, the entrance theme of the victor will normally be played as they exit the ring, although some wrestlers have a separate song that plays when they exit, ranging from a similar piece or remake, to something completely different. Entrance themes are used to alert the audience to the immediate arrival of a wrestler, and to increase anticipation. Themes are usually composed by an in house composer, although lower card wrestlers may use royalty free tracks from music libraries. Wrestlers who are popular or are being 'pushed' by the writers might be given licensed music, from a major label band, such as Triple H, who frequently uses music performed by the band Motörhead. Music can also signal a change in a wrestler's character, such as when Eddie Gurrerro changed his theme song "Latino Heat" to another in-house composition called "Gangsta Lean", to symbolize his change from a babyface to a heel
Heel
In human anatomy, the heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.- Human anatomy :...
. The actual lyrics of the two songs were very similar, but the tone and music lead fans to understand a change had occurred to the character.
Entrance themes are often tailored to the gimmick of the wrestler for whom they are written or selected. For example, Jacob and Eli Blu (The Blu Brothers) had an entrance theme in the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
that resembled a piece of Blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
music, while The Undertaker has often used entrance themes based on Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
's Funeral March and include the ringing of an eerie bell
Funeral toll
Church bells are sometimes rung slowly ' when a person dies or at funeral services.Church bells are rung in three basic ways: normal ringing, chiming, or tolling...
, which opens his theme. Sometimes, opening notes or sounds of a song become a trade mark. In the early 2000's, The Undertaker's changed from a death-like figure to a rough-and-tumble biker. He changed music from his traditional dirge to rock music. These songs all mixed so they had the signature 'bell toll' in front of them, so fans would always know who was coming. Likewise, several themes used by Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
have a similar guitar riff.
The history of entrance themes is not clear, but Glen Stride is often cited as being the first wrestler to be accompanied to the ring by music. In the early 1950s, female champion Mildred Burke
Mildred Burke
Mildred Bliss was an American professional wrestler, who wrestled under the name Mildred Burke. She is a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, when she held the World Women's...
often entered to theme music, while Gorgeous George
George Wagner
George Raymond Wagner was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Gorgeous George...
was associated with "Pomp and Circumstance
Pomp and Circumstance Marches
The "Pomp and Circumstance Marches" , Op. 39 are a series of marches for orchestra composed by Sir Edward Elgar....
," a song which was later used regularly by "Macho (King) Man" Randy Savage
Randy Savage
Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
. Sgt. Slaughter
Sgt. Slaughter
Robert Remus , better known by his ring name Sgt. Slaughter, is an American former WWE personality and semi-retired professional wrestler. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Slaughter had success in the National Wrestling Alliance, American Wrestling Association, and World Wrestling...
, who has sometimes claimed to have introduced the idea to Vince McMahon, Sr.
Vincent J. McMahon
Vincent James "Vince" McMahon, better known as Vince McMahon, Sr. was an American professional wrestling promoter. He is best known for founding the American promotion, World Wide Wrestling Federation, which is now known as WWE.-Early life:Vincent James McMahon was born on July 6, 1914 in Harlem,...
, entered to the "Marines' Hymn
Marines' Hymn
The "Marines' Hymn" is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps. It is the oldest official song in the United States military. The "Marines' Hymn" is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect...
" at a Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
show in the 1970s. The practice did not become widespread until the 1980s, however, when the Fabulous Freebirds, Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, the Junkyard Dog
Junkyard Dog
Sylvester Ritter was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog...
and various World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
performers began using rock music for entrance themes.
Notable composers
- James Alan "Jim" JohnstonJim Johnston (composer)James Alan "Jim" Johnston is an American music composer who has been working for WWE since 1985. His work is often accredited to the names Jim Johnston, James A...
(Has written and composed music for WWE since the 1980s) - Dale OliverDale OliverDale Byron Oliver is an American music composer who works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Formerly a guitarist in BackHawk , Oliver serves mainly as a composer of theme music used in professional wrestling.-Music composer for TNA:Since 2003, Oliver writes, records, and produces music under...
(Has written and composed music for Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
since the promotion's inception in 2002) - Jimmy HartJimmy HartJames "Jimmy" Ray Hart is a professional wrestling manager, executive, composer, and musician currently signed with WWE. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling under his nickname "The Mouth of the South." He has managed many professional...
(Has written and composed music for World Wrestling Entertainment, World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
, Total Nonstop Action, and the Legends of WrestlingLegends of Wrestling (series)Legends of Wrestling is a series of professional wrestling video games based on the best wrestlers of all time, from WWF/WWE, NWA, WCW, ECW, TNA and various independent promotions. It was developed and produced by Acclaim. It was released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, then in 2002 for the GameCube...
video game franchise) - Harry Slash & The SlashtonesHarry Slash & The SlashtonesThe Slashtones are an American musical group, formed in 1993 by New York native Harry Slash under the name "Harry & The Slashtones"...
(Wrote and composed music for the original Extreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
)
The first wrestling company to incorporate music into the ring was World Class Championship Wrestling based out of Dallas,Texas.