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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. After a match, the entrance theme of the victor will normally be played as they exit the ring. Entrance themes are used to alert the audience to the immediate arrival of a wrestler, and to increase anticipation.

Entrance themes are often tailored to the character of the wrestler they are written or selected for. 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 which resemble a dirge and include the ringing of an eerie gong. In practice, modern day entrance themes are normally Rock (and many of rock's sub-genres), Rap or R&B (especially for the Divas), as these genres of music are popular with the professional wrestling key demographics.

Due to licensing costs, entrance themes are often composed by the promotion for which the wrestlers perform in order to avoid having to pay royalties. A promotion might also purchase music from production libraries, which is considered to be cheaper than the royalties of commercial music, or use public domain music, which is available for no fee. Due to less restrictive copyright laws in Mexico, Lucha Libre promotions use mostly popular songs. In addition, ECW used popular music in order to promote a hip, edgy, counter-culture image, despite the greater expense involved.

History

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. Sgt. Slaughter also claims to have introduced the idea to Vince McMahon, Sr. of playing the Marines' Hymn prior to his entrance at a Madison Square Garden show in the 1970s.^[1] However, the practice did not become widespread until the 1980s, when the Fabulous Freebirds, Hulk Hogan and various World Class Championship Wrestling performers began using rock music for entrance themes.

Music is also used as a promotional tool during advertisements, video packages, and as the theme of television programs.

It should also be noted that many times in wrestling, particularly in WWE, a song will be edited, remixed, or remade for television either for arena themes for the performers or for videos. Such examples of this are Christian's WWE theme "Just Close Your Eyes" which was performed by Waterproof Blonde. The arena version of the song is a remix of the CD version which was released on WWE ThemeAddict. The arena version has a violin intro and then jumps to the chorus. There are other notable differences in the arena version as well.

Sometimes songs are just slightly altered. Steve Austin's theme song has been remixed or remade at least twice. All three versions can be found on various WWE CDs. These being WWF The Music, Vol. 2, WWF The Music, Vol. 3, and WWE Forceable Entry. Austin also had a song on WWF The Music, Vol. 4 which he never used. This song was also remade. The remake can be found on WWE Anthology.

Wrestler entrance themes

E

ECW: "This Is Extreme!" (Harry Slash & The Slashtones) "Bodies" (Drowning Pool) ^[2]
Edge: "Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)" (Rob Zombie) "Metalingus" (Alter Bridge)
The Eliminators: "No Remorse" (Metallica), "Real Solution #9" (White Zombie)
Evolution: "Line in the Sand" (Motörhead)
Extreme Exposé: "Holla" (Desiree Jackson)

F

Francine: "Paradise City" (Guns N' Roses)
The Full Blooded Italians: "Stayin' Alive" (N-Trance)
Terry Funk: "Fanfare for the Common Man" (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), "Desperado" (The Eagles)
Doug Furnas: "Welcome to the Jungle" (Guns N' Roses)

G

Lilian Garcia: "You Just Don't Know Me At All" (Lilian Garcia)
The Godfather: "Pimpin Ain't Easy" (Ice T)
Terry Gordy: "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynyrd) "I Love It Loud" (KISS)
Sal E. Graziano: "Rico Suave" (Gerardo)
Juventud Guerrera: "Wherever I May Roam" (Metallica)
Eddie Guerrero: "Animal" (Pearl Jam), "Live and Let Die" (Guns N' Roses)
Little Guido: "Fly Me to the Moon" (Frank Sinatra), "That's Amore" (Dean Martin)

H

Matt Hardy: "Live for the Moment" (Monster Magnet)
Mark Henry: "Some Bodies Gonna Get It" (Three 6 Mafia)
Ulf Herman: "Big, Bad, Dangerous To Know" (Metal Men)
Hulk Hogan: "Real American" (Rick Derringer), "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" (Jimi Hendrix)
Mr. Hughes: "Ruff Neck" (MC Lyte)

J

Marty Jannetty: "Living After Midnight" (Judas Priest)
Jason: "Whatta Man" (Salt-N-Pepa)
Jazz: "Money, Power & Respect" (The L.O.X., with Lil' Kim and DMX)
Chris Jericho: "The Walls of Jericho", "Electric Head, Part 2 (The Ecstacy)" (White Zombie), "King of My World" (Saliva), "Don't You Wish You Were Me?" (Chris Jericho)

K

Kane: "Slow Chemical" (Finger Eleven)
Stacy Keibler: "Legs" (Kid Rock)
Kelly Kelly: "Holla" (Desiree Jackson)
Kid Kash: "Bawitdaba" (Kid Rock)
Gail Kim: "International Woman" ([Anime Girls])

L

Paul Lauria: "Whatta Man" (Salt-N-Pepa)
Brian Lee: "Train" (Blackfoot)
Lita: "LoveFuryPassionEnergy" (Boy Hits Car)
Jerry Lynn: "Scapegoat" (Fear Factory), "Trust (instrumental version)" Megadeth^[2]

M

Balls Mahoney: "Big Balls" (AC/DC / Muscadine)^[2]
Dean Malenko: "Whatta Man" (Salt-N-Pepa)
Tony Mamaluke: "Stayin' Alive" (Bee Gees), "Stayin' Alive" (Remix) (N-Trance)
Shane McMahon: "Here Comes the Money" (Naughty by Nature)
Stephanie McMahon: "All Grown Up" (Jacki-O)
Midnight Express: "The Chase" (Giorgio Moroder)^[3]
EZ Money: "Down on Me" (Jackyl)
Hack Myers: "Emhaeevil, or 'Am I Evil'" (Widowmaker)
Rey Mysterio: "Sad But True" (Metallica), "Booyaka 619" (Rey Mysterio and Mad One), "Booyaka 619" (P.O.D.)

N

New Jack: "Natural Born Killaz" (Dr. Dre and Ice Cube)
Nova: "Intergalactic" (The Beastie Boys)

O

The Oddities: "Oddities" (Insane Clown Posse)
Randy Orton: "Line in the Sand" (Motörhead), "This Fire Burns" (Killswitch Engage), "Burn in My Light" (Mercy Drive)

P

Brian Pillman: "Welcome to the Jungle" (Guns N' Roses)
The Pitbulls: "Thunder Kiss '65" (White Zombie)
Montel Vontavious Porter: "Im Comin'" (Silkk The Shocker)
Psicosis: "Battery" (Metallica), "Cherub Rock" (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Public Enemy: "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Ini Kamoze), "Slam" (Onyx)
Val Puccio: "Who Made Who" (AC/DC)
El Puerto Ricano: "Gel" (Collective Soul), "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin), "Wild Thing" (The Troggs)
CM Punk: "Miseria Cantare" (AFI) ^[4], "Cult of personality" (Living Colour), "This Fire Burns" (Killswitch Engage)^[4]

R

Raven: "Come Out and Play" (The Offspring), "End of Everything" (Stereomud)
Rhino: "Debonaire" (Dope)
Stevie Richards: "Nitro" (The Offspring), "Ride of the Valkyries" (Richard Wagner)
Roadkill: "Super Bon Bon" (Soul Coughing)
Road Warriors: "Iron Man" (Black Sabbath)
Rocco Rock: "This Is How We Do It" (Montell Jordan)
Rockin' Rebel: "Whatta Man" (Salt-N-Pepa)
Axl Rotten: "Kick Out the Jams" (Monster Magnet),^[2] "The Beautiful People" (Marilyn Manson), "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)" (Beastie Boys)
Ian Rotten: "Bring the Noise" (Public Enemy)

S

Zakk Saam: "When Darkness Falls" (Killswitch Engage)
Sabu: "Huka Blues" (Harry Slash & The Slashtones)^[2]
Samoan Gangsta Party: "Pump Pump (Instrumental)" (Snoop Dogg)
The Sandman: "Big Shot" (Billy Joel), "The Bitch is Back" (Elton John), "Surfin' USA" (The Beach Boys), "Enter Sandman" (Metallica, Motorhead),^[2]
2 Cold Scorpio: "Whoomp! (There It Is)" (Tag Team), "Jungle Boogie" (Kool & The Gang)
J.T. Smith: "Fly Me to the Moon" (Frank Sinatra), "Gonna Fly Now" (Bill Conti)
Al Snow: "Breathe" (The Prodigy), "Purple Haze" (Jimi Hendrix), "Rock and Roll Part 2" (Gary Glitter)
Louie Spicolli: "Louie, Louie" (John Belushi)
Jungle Jim Steele: "Welcome to the Jungle" (Guns N' Roses)
The Steiner Brothers: "Welcome to the Jungle" (Guns N' Roses)
Sting: "Seek & Destroy" (Metallica)^[5]
Devon Storm: "Terrible Lie" (Nine Inch Nails)
Lance Storm: "El Phantasmo and the Chicken-Run Blast-O-Rama (Wine, Women, and Song Mix)" (White Zombie)^[2]
Trish Stratus: "Time To Rock & Roll" (Lil' Kim)
Kevin Sullivan: "Black Sabbath" (Black Sabbath)
Super Crazy: "Roadhouse Blues" (The Doors), "Muy Loco" (Jim Johnston)
Super Nova: "Flashdance" (Irene Cara), "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (Pat Benatar), "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham!)

T

Tazz: "Keep It in the Family" (Anthrax), "War Machine" (Kiss), "Just Another Victim" (Helmet and House of Pain)
Triple H: "My Time" (The Chris Warren Band,) "The Game" (Motörhead), "King of Kings" (Motörhead)

U

The Undertaker: "Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)" (Limp Bizkit), "American Bad Ass" (Kid Rock)

V

Luna Vachon: "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" (Lenny Kravitz)
Rob Van Dam: "Walk" (Pantera / Kilgore),^[2] "One of a kind" Breaking Point "Fury of the storm" Shadows Fall

W

Mikey Whipwreck: "Loser" (Beck), "Pepper" (Butthole Surfers) "Bombtrack" (Rage Against the Machine)
Torrie Wilson: "Need a Little Time" (Lilian Garcia), "A Girl Like That" (Eleventh Hour)
Woman: "The Bitch Is Back" (Elton John), "Her Strut" (Bob Seger)^[6]

Television shows and pay-per-views

A

Armageddon 2000: "Sweet Home Alabama" (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Wrestling Information Archive

B

Backlash 2002: "Young Grow Old" (Creed) Wrestling Information Archive
Backlash 2003: "Remedy" (Cold )Wrestling Information Archive
Backlash 2004: "Eyes Wired Shut" (Edgewater) Wrestling Information Archive
Backlash 2005: "Stronger" (Trust Company) Wrestling Information Archive
Backlash 2006: "Baby Hates Me" (Danko Jones)Wrestling Information Archive
Backlash 2007: "There and Back Again" {Daughtry} Wrestling Information Archive
Bad Blood 2003: "Headstrong" (Trapt) Wrestling Information Archive
Bad Blood 2004: "Sold Me" (Seether) Wrestling Information Archive

C

Cyber Sunday 2006: "Game On" (Disciple) Wrestling Information Archive

E

ECW One Night Stand 2005: "Bodies" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive
ECW One Night Stand 2006: "Bodies" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive
WWE One Night Stand 2007: "Famous" Puddle of Mudd

G

Great American Bash 2005: "Pay the Price" (Eric & The Hostiles) Wrestling Information Archive
Great American Bash 2006: "Lonely Train" (Black Stone Cherry) Wrestling Information Archive

I

Invasion 2001: "Fight Song" (Marilyn Manson) Wrestling Information Archive

J

Judgment Day 2002: "Broken" (12 Stones) Wrestling Information Archive
Judgment Day 2006: "This Fire Burns" (Killswitch Engage) Wrestling Information Archive
Judgment Day 2007: "I Don't Wanna Stop" (Ozzy Osbourne)^[7]

K

King of the Ring 2002: "Ride of Your Life" (Neurotica) Wrestling Information Archive

N

New Year's Revolution 2006: "Stricken" (Disturbed) Wrestling Information Archive
No Mercy 2001: "Click Click Boom" (Saliva) Wrestling Information Archive
No Mercy 2003: "Today Is The Day" (Dope) Wrestling Information Archive
No Mercy 2005: "Save Me" (Shinedown) Wrestling Information Archive
No Mercy 2006: "Weight Of The World" (Evanescence) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2002: "Feel So Numb" (Rob Zombie) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2003: "Bring Me to Life" (Evanescence) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2004: "Crossing Borders" (Rey Mysterio) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2005: "Enemy" (Fozzy) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2006: "Deadly Game" (Theory of a Deadman) Wrestling Information Archive
No Way Out 2007: "Powertrip" (Monster Magnet) Wrestling Information Archive

R

Raw : Were all together and thorn in your eye; Across the Nation (The Union Underground) ; ...To be loved (Papa Roach)

Royal Rumble 2002: "Cocky" (Kid Rock) Wrestling Information Archive
Royal Rumble 2003: "Falling Apart" (Trust Company) Wrestling Information Archive
Royal Rumble 2004: "Nothing Left To Lose" (Puddle of Mudd) Wrestling Information Archive
Royal Rumble 2005: "Find The Real" (Alter Bridge) Wrestling Information Archive
Royal Rumble 2007: "Drones" (Rise Against) Wrestling Information Archive

S

SmackDown-Drowing Pool Rise Up

SummerSlam 1998: "Highway to Hell" (AC/DC) Wrestling Information Archive
SummerSlam 2001: "Bodies" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive
SummerSlam 2002: "Fight" (Jim Johnston) Wrestling Music Facts
SummerSlam 2003: "St. Anger" (Metallica) Wrestling Information Archive
SummerSlam 2004: "Summertime Blues" (Rush) Wrestling Information Archive
SummerSlam 2005: "Remedy" (Seether) Wrestling Information Archive, "Get It Poppin'" (Fat Joe feat. Nelly) Wrestling Information Archive
SummerSlam 2006: "The Enemy" (Godsmack) Wrestling Information Archive, "Cobrastyle" (Teddybears STHLM) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2001: "Control" (Puddle of Mudd) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2002: "Always" (Saliva) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2003: "Build a Bridge" (Limp Bizkit) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2004: "Ugly" (The Exies) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2005: "Lights Out" (P.O.D.) Wrestling Information Archive
Survivor Series 2006: "Are You Ready?" (Hazen Street) Wrestling Information Archive

T

Taboo Tuesday 2005: "Twisted Transistor" (KoRn) Wrestling Information Archive

U

Unforgiven 2002: "Adrenaline" (Gavin Rossdale) Wrestling Information Archive
Unforgiven 2003: "Enemy" (Sevendust) Wrestling Information Archive
Unforgiven 2004: "Survival of the Sickest" (Saliva) Wrestling Information Archive
Unforgiven 2005: "Calling" (Taproot) Wrestling Information Archive
Unforgiven 2006: "Run" (Day of Fire) Wrestling Information Archive

V

Vengeance 2001: "Sinner" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive
Vengeance 2002: "Downfall" (Trust Company) Wrestling Information Archive
Vengeance 2003: "Price To Play" (Staind) Wrestling Information Archive
Vengeance 2005: "Happy?" (Mudvayne) Wrestling Information Archive
Vengeance 2006: "Victim" (Eighteen Visions) Wrestling Information Archive
Vengeance 2007: "Gone" (Fuel) WWE.com

W

WrestleMania 2000: "California" (Jim Johnston) WrestleMania.com
WrestleMania X-Seven: "My Way" (Limp Bizkit) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania X8: "Superstar" (Saliva), "Tear Away" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania XIX: "Crack Addict" (Limp Bizkit) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania XX: "Step Up" (Drowning Pool) Wrestling Information Archive, "Touche" (Godsmack) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania 21: "Bigtime" (The Soundtrack of Our Lives), "Behind Those Eyes" (3 Doors Down) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania 22: "Big Time" (Peter Gabriel), "I Dare You" (Shinedown), "Save Me Sorrow" (Bullets and Octane) Wrestling Information Archive
WrestleMania 23: "Ladies and Gentlemen" (Saliva) Wrestling Information Archive, "The Memory Will Never Die" (Default)^[8]

Video packages

WWE Desire Videos

Wrestling Information Archive

Kurt Angle: "Clocks" (Coldplay)
Chris Benoit: "One Thing" (Finger Eleven)
Mick Foley: "So Far Away" (Staind)
Jeff Hardy: "Not Enough" (Our Lady Peace)
Matt Hardy: "Live For The Moment" (Monster Magnet)
Chris Jericho: "King Of My World" (Saliva)
The Rock: "Alive" (P.O.D.)
Triple H: "Beautiful Day" (U2)
The Undertaker: "Adrenaline" (Gavin Rossdale), "My Sacrifice" (Creed)
WWF Desire: "My Sacrifice" (Creed), "Weathered" (Creed)
WWF History: "Lonely Road Of Faith" (Kid Rock)

Tributes

Eddie Guerrero: "Here Without You (Acoustic version)" (3 Doors Down)^[9]

In-house composers

The following are composers known for composing numerous in-house theme songs for particular wrestling promotions:

Jimmy Hart (composed music for the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling)
Jim Johnston (composed music for World Wrestling Entertainment)
Dale Oliver (composed music for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling)
Harry Slash (composed music for Extreme Championship Wrestling)

References

^ WWE (2007-04-15). "The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 80's". WWE.com. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Gramlich, Chris (1998-12-29). "ECW CD rocks heavy". Canoe.ca. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Giorgio Moroder Biography". Artistopia.
^ ^a ^b "Punk-Wrestling.com - Audio". Punk-Wrestling.com.
^ "Metallica.com - Compilations". Metallica.com.
^ David Miller (2004-03-04). "Miller's Menagerie: The Importance of Entrance Music". PWTorch.com.
^ http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/
^ Wrestlemania 23
^ WWE tribute video

ECW music at the Wrestling Information Archive
WWE music at the Wrestling Information Archive
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External links

Wrestling Music Facts

[Wrestling80s-1] WWE (2007-04-15). "The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 80's". WWE.com. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[ECWCDrocksheavy-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Gramlich, Chris (1998-12-29). "ECW CD rocks heavy". Canoe.ca. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[MidnightExpress-3] "Giorgio Moroder Biography". Artistopia.

[CMPunk-4] "Punk-Wrestling.com - Audio". Punk-Wrestling.com.

[SteveSteingBorden-5] "Metallica.com - Compilations". Metallica.com.

[WomanNancyDaus-6] David Miller (2004-03-04). "Miller's Menagerie: The Importance of Entrance Music". PWTorch.com.

[7] ttps://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/

[8] Wrestlemania 23

[9] WWE tribute video

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v t e WWE Music Group: List of music albums produced by WWE Music Group
WWE Music Group's compilations	The Wrestling Album Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 WrestleMania: The Album WWF Full Metal: The Album WWF The Music, Volume 2 WWF The Music, Volume 3 WWF The Music, Volume 4 WWF Aggression WWF The Music, Vol. 5 WWF Forceable Entry WWE Anthology WWE Originals ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6 WWE Wreckless Intent WWE The Music, Volume 7 Raw Greatest Hits: The Music WWE The Music, Vol. 8 Voices: WWE The Music, Vol. 9 WWE The Music: A New Day, Vol. 10 WWE: Uncaged WWE: Uncaged II WWE: Uncaged III WWE: Uncaged IV WWE: Uncaged V WWE: Uncaged VI WWE: Uncaged VII WWE: Uncaged VIII WWE: Uncaged IX WWE: Uncaged X WWE: Uncaged XI WWE: Uncaged XII WWE: Uncaged XIII WWE: Uncaged XIV
One-off albums	You Can't See Me (John Cena and Tha Trademarc) A Jingle with Jillian (Jillian) Walk with Elias (Elias) Universal Truth (Elias)
Related articles	Jim Johnston CFO$ Music in professional wrestling Stone Cold Metal