The WWE wouldn’t be the same without entrance themes. A single note can get an entire crowd—and millions watching at home—pumped for a match. The right theme can also stop a wrestler mid-promo or announce a surprise opponent. In short, professional wrestling shows just how powerful music can be.
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Today we’re going to take a trip back in WWE history to revisit some of the greatest entrance themes in the promotion’s history. Crank up the volume and get ready to soak in the nostalgia.
The Greatest WWE Entrance Themes
Some wrestling fans may not know that most WWE entrance themes came from the brain of one man—composer and musician Jim Johnston. With that in mind, you’ll find his comments on some of the themes below.
1. “Hell Frozen Over”—Stone Cold Steve Austin
WWE entrance themes don’t get much more iconic than Stone Cold Steve Austin’s “Hell Frozen Over.” Everyone knew that the sound of shattering glass meant they were either about to see Austin down a couple of beers and hand out ass whoopins like candy on Halloween or hear one of his legendary promos. Either way, everyone got pumped when the Texas Rattlesnake’s theme played.
“It just had to be driving. He’ll never, ever stop. He just keeps coming. Somehow the rhythm had to reflect that,” Johnston said of Austin’s theme. “I just thought the sound of a twenty-by-twenty-foot glass patio door blowing up in your face represented Stone Cold,” he said. “That glass break is a mix of two of the biggest glass breaks I could find, a car accident, an explosion, and some low drum hits,” he explained.
2. “Are You Ready?”—D-Generation X
D-Generation X was one of the most popular stables in WWE’s attitude era. Shawn Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac, and the New Age Outlaws proved that fans could truly get behind a group of loveable heels. Their entrance theme—and their iconic two-word catchphrase—let WWE fans and everyone else know what they were all about.
Johnston initially composed the theme for Michaels. However, by the time the song was finished, he had teamed up with Triple H and DX was up and running. He drew inspiration from Rage Against the Machine for the track. “I definitely was trying to do something in that style, it was the white rock rapper vibe. It was fun do to,” he said.
3. “Graveyard Symphony”—The Undertaker
When the arena lights went dark and the bells started ringing everyone knew the Deadman was coming to the ring. Few entrance themes in WWE history sparked fear and excitement in equal measure like the Undertaker’s “Graveyard Symphony.”
Jim Johnston started the process of creating the Undertaker’s theme with a soft piano version of what would be the finished product. Then, he started working on making the arrangement more impressive. “It’s got to be some kind of gigantic church organ and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” he recalled thinking. “Then, I thought of the death bell. I ended up combining two different bells with a bass guitar note,” he explained.
4. “The Game”—Triple H
Triple H has had several entrance themes during his time in the WWE. However, none is more iconic than “The Game.” Jim Johnston wrote the song and the legendary heavy metal band Motorhead performed it. It appeared as a bonus track on the band’s 2002 album Hammered.
Hearing Lemmy Kilmister’s instantly recognizable voice growl “It’s time to play the game,” made countless fans pop over the years. The band even performed the song live as Triple H entered the ring during two WrestleMania events.
5, “Sexy Boy”—Shawn Michaels
You can’t talk about iconic WWE entrance themes and not mention Shawn Michaels’ “Sexy Boy.” He has used the theme throughout his entire career except for his time with D-Generation X. He even kept the theme when he made his comeback in 2002. “I came in with this song and I want to go out with it,” he told WWE producers when they asked if he wanted a new theme.
Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart co-wrote the song with J.J. Maguire and Jim Johnston. Many fans may be unaware that Hart was a musician before he got into wrestling. He even had a chart hit as a member of the Gentrys. Later, he created several legendary themes including Dusty Rhodes’ “American Dream.” However, he says “Sexy Boy” is the composition he’s most proud of because Michaels, one of the biggest stars in the sport, has stuck with it for so long.
Featured Image by J. Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Relations
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