Wrestling Entrance Music!!!
/It’s a sad day for me. I’m starting to think that I’ll never get the chance to walk out to my own entrance music for the NCAA Finals, or World Team Trials Finals, or Final X, or something like that. I was holding out hope, but at 33, with no eligibility, and not training, the window has probably closed at this point. The worst part is, I have all these excellent song choices for entrance music that I was ready to use, and now I’ll never be able to. Don’t worry though, it’s important for me to share the riches of my mind, so that’s what I plan on doing here. This isn’t going to be the list of the obvious choices though. Of course Eye of the Tiger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4) or Lunatic Fringe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqUa_G1h3pw), but these will be more deep pulls. Some excellent songs that may not be possible, or that simply people haven’t thought to use yet.
One time in High School I had the opportunity to pick my own entrance music. It was senior night, and so they made a bit more of a production of it than usual. I remember very clearly, I picked Main Offender by The Hives. I liked it because it started off strong, had a heavy guitar riff, and was relatively recognizable at the time; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CgC9BaHqXg. One of my friends actually picked Chariots of Fire, which was brilliant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a-HfNE3EIo
Looking back, no way in hell I would have picked that as my choice. It’s not a bad song, in fact, I still like it, but entrance music is supposed to be immediately recognizable, and when possible, should speak directly to what is about to happen. There are some other instances where the songs have specific meaning for that wrestler, or specifically will help them get in the right mindset for the match. Spence Lee picking the Pokemon Theme song is completely okay in my mind. His story about playing Pokemon while in the care with his dad on the way to tournaments is a great story, and the double meaning of trying to catch all the NCAA titles like Pokemon is not lost on me. Whether he meant it or not. Another tricky thing with this, is that some people are pumped up by their “guilty pleasure” songs. As ready as you are to wrestle after listening to Dido’s White Flag, it’s probably not the best entrance music for a wrestling match. Last point, simply picking something popular in the moment, in my humble opinion, usually doesn’t hold the test of time. Anyway, here are some songs that I would love to hear as entrance music to a wrestling match.
The Mortal Kombat Theme Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAwWPadFsOA
One thing to keep in mind with this exercise, is that my age will obviously have a direct impact on the song choices. The Mortal Kombat games came out when I was a kid, and were an immediate hit with my crew. Blood was everywhere, and you could uppercut heats off, so everyone played it. Then the movie came out, and it became an immediate favorite of mine and all my friends. Re-watching the movie as an adult is a little bit embarrassing, because the acting and plot are a bit rough, but the music and fighting is still awesome. This song is undeniably sweet, and is very clearly referencing the impending battle to the death that’s about to take place. My my age group, this song is timeless, and will forever be recognizable. For those reasons, this is an excellent choice.
Hit Em Up - Tupac, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41qC3w3UUkU
For obvious reasons, this could never happen. However, this is the all time greatest option for a walk out song. The song begins with “That’s why I fucked your bitch you fat mother fucker.” That’s an aggressive approach if you ask me, but wrestling is an aggressive sport, so it fits. I remember exactly where I was when I heard this for the first time. I had never, and still never, had heard someone attack someone musically like this. It’s the quintessential “fuck you” anthem, and for that reason, it would be amazing to walk out to. It will never happen, but I can dream can’t I?
Take On Me - A Ha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
This song has such an iconic synthesizer, to go along with what sounds like a keyboard generated drum beat. This may fall under my guilty pleasure songs that pump me up, but I don’t care. It’s my piece, and I recommend this song. Side note, this music video is super weird.
Hulk Hogans Theme Song - Real American - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJDAVvs_JA&t=77s
When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, you’ve got to take a stand, it don’t have to hide. This song instills patriotism, a handle bar mustache, and the ability to rip shirts off in one fell swoop. It also has an unmistakable guitar riff, which is very important for intro music. It’s important for the music to get a rise out of the crowd as well. It’s possible to sway the momentum of the match completely in your favor with the right song, and at the finals of the Olympic Trials, or something like that, this would be the perfect song. Insinuating that your opponent is a fake American. You may even convince them of that fact with this choice.
Where The Hood At? - DMX - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CqXgs-7ico
Yeah, this one is also going to be rough. I mean, DMX is rough, but listen to this song! Barking dogs, getting all the coasts up, people doing wheelies on their motor cycles. Plus, like many of the other entries here, it starts off strong and establishes exactly what your opponent is about to get into… A fight. This just happens to be the song I chose, but really, almost anything by DMX could have been the choice here. Like wrestling, rap is not a game, and talk is cheap. DMX stands by both of those things.
Middle Child - J Cole - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WILNIXZr2oc
Someone may have come out to this at NCAA’s this year and I just missed it, but this song is great. Cole basically talks about how the legends before him helped him get here, and the young ones below are a great challenge, but he’s here to fight and win at life and the rap game. At least that’s my interpretation, and I think that’s simple enough to translate to wrestling. Hey, I’m walking out to take what’s mine, and appreciate what came before, and what’s coming after, but this is mine.
The National Anthem - Radiohead - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bGPPBoh9E8
This song has a super hard hitting beat to go along with a defining bass line. Plus it sounds creepy, and scary, so it’s guaranteed to have an impact on the psyche of your opponent. It’s probably not ideal for your competition to piss themselves before the match, but if you’re going to go with front headlocks and short offense, then go ahead and rock this one.
Won’t Get Fooled Again - The Who - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHhrZgojY1Q
Another song with an intro that demands attention and excitement. It’s a long enough intro to walk out to, and a good enough song to stick in peoples heads. An ideal walk out song will have people singing it when they are at the bar celebrating your inevitable victory. The Who are one of those bands where everyone knows their music, even if they don’t know that they do. Also, there is an iconic “YEAAAAHHHHH” later in the song, which is always nice to have. Like a rock and roll war cry.
The Spirit of Radio - Rush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPBinohXHLc
There is a good 40 seconds before the lyrics start, and in those 40 seconds, there are about 3 different 15 second intros. Rush is a unique band, with only three members, they primarily play drums, bass, and guitar, and yet were able to rock super hard - with the power and force of many more. More power and skill than you’d think three people could emote. Similar to that of a monster 125 or 133 pounder. Anyway, this song is amazing, and therefore should be the entrance music for any wrestler, regardless of weight.
This should be enough for the first installment of wrestling entrance music. Hopefully this is helpful to some of the more accomplished wrestlers than myself, and one of these days we can hear the sitar of DMX’s Rough Riders Anthem begin as someone starts their long walk towards victory.
