Our 20 Favorite Pro Wrestling Entrance Themes – Part 2 (edited) Kevin Sullivan

As we continue our look at the great entrance theme music in wrestling history, we need to take a moment to look at the contributions of two individuals: Jim Johnston and Jimmy Hart.

Johnston has been writing theme music for WWF/WWE wrestlers since 1985 and is responsible for the majority of the great songs on this entire list – and many of them are in this second half. If there is a classic WWF/WWE theme you love, chances are Johnston had a hand in it – if he didn’t write it by himself altogether. He’s, quite possibly, the Mozart of pro wrestling theme music.

Jimmy Hart is well known among fans, young and old, as “The Mouth of the South” – the obnoxious manager with the megaphone who has managed everyone from the Honky Tonk Man to The Hart Foundation to The Mountie to Hulk Hogan himself. What most fans don’t know, however, is that Hart was a musician in the 1960s band The Gentrys, with a hit record entitled “Keep On Dancing”. Upon entering the wrestling business, Hart helped create some of the more memorable wrestling theme songs as well as being one of the most high profile and recognizable managers of all time.

With that, we look at the second half of our top twenty favorite pro wrestling entrance themes.

The Undertaker – “Funeral March/Rest In Peace” – Jim Johnston – WWF/WWE

The Undertaker debuted in 1991 at the Survivor Series after wrestling as Mean Mark in WCW. His old west mortician appearance made an immediate mark (OK, no, that was not on purpose!) and since then he’s evolved into numerous different characters. But, unless he’s heading to the ring on a motorcycle behind some obnoxious Limp Bizkit song, The Deadman will always be remembered for both this tune and the fact that it takes him seven hours to get to the ring.

The New Age Outlaws – “Oh, You Didn’t Know?” – Jim Johnston – WWF/WWE

Both Billy Gun (redubbed by the Honky Tonk Man as “Rockabilly”) and Jesse James (an Armstrong brother formerly a “roadie” for Jeff Jarrett) were on the road to mediocrity until the idea to team them up came about. The result was the New Age Outlaws and not only were they an important part of the Attitude Era, but their theme music, with James (now christened the “Road Dogg”) chanting “Oh, you didn’t know? Yo’ ass better CALL SOMEBODY!” became the stuff of legend.

Shawn Michaels – “Sexy Boy” – Shawn Michaels, Jim Johnston, Jimmy Hart and J.J. McGuire – WWF/WWE

When Shawn Michaels threw his Rockers tag team partner Marty Jannety threw the window of the “Barber Shop”, he set off on a solo career that few would emulate. But, before he could become a legend, he needed a solo gimmick. And he found that gimmick in The Heartbreak Kid. Originally sung by his first manager, the late Sensational Sherri, Michaels eventually took on vocal duties by himself. And he kept that theme until the day he retired.

With Sherri:

And without:

Gangrel/The Brood – “Blood” – Jim Johnston – WWF

Before the Attitude Era produced The Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness, WWF hired “Vampire Warrior” David Heath to become Gangrel (and, yes, “Gangrel” is a trademark of those White Wolf roleplaying games, in case you thought we didn’t know that). Gangrel would feud with and, eventually, team with future multi-time world champion Edge in The Brood, along with Christian. Gangrel may not have seen superstardom, but his music was awesome.

Bret “Hitman” Hart – “Hart Attack” – Jim Johnston & Jimmy Hart – WWF

Between Hulk Hogan leaving the WWF and the Attitude Era, Bret “Hitman” Hart was the good guy superhero the WWF needed. Not the best on the mic, Hart had the skills and the look that kept the WWF afloat until, ironically, he could turn Stone Cold Steve Austin into the flag bearer they needed. Hart may or may not be “the best there was, the best there is and the best there every will be”, but his original theme music can make a good case for it.

Stone Cold Steve Austin – “I Won’t Do What You Tell Me” – Jim Johnston – WWF/WWE

Steve Austin began his career in Dallas,TX under the tutelage of “Gentleman” Chris Adams and eventually found his way to WCW. There, he was “Stunning” Steve Austin, a Hollywood phony that wasn’t even close to the true Steve Williams (his real name at the time). As he eventually arrived in WWF and eventually became Stone Cold (but not before a weird turn as Ted DiBiase’s chosen “Million Dollar Champion” The Ringmaster) (not to be confused with The Shockmaster), his music not only reflected that, but became iconic. When you heard the glass break, you knew Austin 3:16 meant he was about to whip some ass.

Chris Jericho – “Break The Walls Down” – Adam Morenoff – WWF/WWE

Jericho got his start in Mexico, Japan and in Jim Cornette’s Smokey Mountain Wrestling (teaming with Lance Storm as The Thrillseekers) before ending up in WCW, where he really came into his own. Sadly, WCW wanted nothing to do with him and he eventually ended up in the WWF. His theme music is one of the most iconic in the business today and his debut promo with The Rock is a classic.

Vince McMahon – “No Chance In Hell” – Jim Johnston – WWF/WWE

Vincent Kennedy McMahon had been the owner of the World Wrestling Federation for years, preferring to hide out in the open as an announcer until the Montreal Screwjob in 1997. Since then, Vince has become “Mr. McMahon”, a tyrannical owner out to shape the WWF/WWE in his own image. He’s been both a face and a heel (and nowadays is a surefire boost for crummy ratings), but if you ever cross paths with him, and according to his music, you simply have no chance in Hell.

The Rock – “Know Your Role/If You Smell…” – Jim Johnston – WWF/WWE

Dwayne Johnson started in the WWF as Rock Miavia – a name that was an amalgam of both his father (Rocky Johnson) and grandfather (High Chief Peter Miavia). Everyone hated it. Hated it. So, Rocky joined the evil Nation of Domination and became The Rock. Since then, he became the most popular wrestler outside of Steve Austin and maybe even more so. Now, Dwayne is an A-list Hollywood celebrity and his mere presence at a WWE event guarantees viewers. But, outside of his ring work, he wouldn’t be nearly as successful without his catchphrases (that’s where the money is, right?) and his theme song reflects that perfectly.

The Sandman – “Enter Sandman” – Metallica – ECW

ECW was known for lots of things – most of which were awesome. Hardcore action. Adult storylines. Rob Van Dam. It was also known for their use of popular music without paying royalties. But, whatever, they were operating out of a bingo hall in Philly. Well, that bingo hall in Philly influenced the wrestling world as we know it. And one of the most badass, take-no-prisoners bastards in Extreme Championship Wrestling was The Sandman. And in our final exception to our “original music” rule, from WWE One Night Stand in 2005 (were he teamed with Tommy Dreamer to take on the Dudley Boys), we present to you, thanks to DailyMotion.com, The Sandman’s – actually, THE most epic entrance – ever:



ECW One Night Stand 2005 Sandman’s Entrance by ghostrider151

THAT, my friends, is how you do an entrance.

Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments.

(All music in the videos are copyright of their respective owners)

(Some slight changes were made to correct typos and address video issues)