Flipping through television channels in South Florida in the mid 1990’s, I found Extreme Championship Wrestling on the Sunshine Network. The in-your-face presentation wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. It was the music. Those long string of vignettes. The entrances. Even the commercials for the merch including VHS tapes of events all had signature sounds. I began to associate the entrance themes with the stars I saw on my TV screen as a young teen.
They were in many ways extensions of a performer’s character. From there I soon realized these were not just music for these pro wrestlers. They were legit top names and legends in music at the time. Icons. There was Alice In Chains, Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie, and The Offspring to name a few.
This was truly a moment in time as it relates to a renegade company pulling copyrighted music. Yes, ECW’s mastermind Paul Heyman had some label deals for the company. Though much of those songs were used cease and desist be damned. If you watch ECW on streaming like on Peacock, you’re not hearing those original songs but rather similar sounds. Kids today don’t even know. Man, I aged myself saying that.
Watching Stranger Things got me thinking about how impactful music can be to a television show, as well as the artists themselves. Look at what it has done for Metallica and Kate Bush, who is running up that hill straight to the bank. There is a connection formed. One I felt when it came to pro wrestling too.
All these years later I further come to the realization that watching ECW in actuality helped shape my musical tastes even today. It opened up the door for me in so many ways. I can’t tell you how many times I’ll listen to the radio or be out and hear a song. The visuals of a pro wrestler come up in my head. Does that happen to you?
Music is such an important part of pro wrestling. One cord or line can elevate talent and help them get over. All The Sandman had to do was walk to the ring to “Enter Sandman” and fans got what they wanted. A giant beer-soaked party.
WWE and WCW also helped grow my musical palate. There was Hollywood Hogan coming out to “Voodoo Child” from Jimi Hendrix. From Rob Zombie to Alter Bridge, Edge always had killer song choices. And then there are those incredible video packages the production team puts together along with PPV themes. Ronda Rousey made a big splash right out of the gate to the sounds of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “Bad Reputation.”
Another fan during that 1990s time period and clearly inspired by the concept of using familiar music, and that’s Tony Khan. The AEW visionary has spared no expense to secure songs like “Tarzan Boy.” Now I can’t see Jungle Boy walk the aisle without hearing “Jungle Life.” As a result, Jungle Express’ entrance brings a festive party atmosphere. Ruby Soho first arriving with the sounds of “Ruby Soho” by Rancid was perfect.
Even Chris Jericho’s own band Fozzy has a win-win with “Judas” being a giant karaoke singalong every time the legendary performer appears on AEW TV. “Wild Thing” by The Troggs somehow works well for Jon Moxley. And of course, there is Orange Cassidy, who had “Where is my Mind” by the Pixies before switching to “Jane” by Jefferson Starship. That was met with some disappointment on social media to an extent.
And then there is CM Punk. You can’t really picture him now coming out without “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour. Though all of Punk’s song choices felt right for him. I remember witnessing fans flip out when Punk went with the AFI throwback Ring of Honor at Revolution.
Music is a powerful vehicle and tool. It crosses generations much like pro wrestling. All these decades since I was an impressionable teen, I now look at kids in the crowds and think how maybe how their own musical tastes are being cultivated.
