Music Makes the Man (or Vice Versa)

The Royal Rumble is just hours away. Celebrating 30 years, this Rumble features some of the biggest names in wrestling, past and present. There are a cavalcade of future Hall of Famers that will appear, including Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Big Show, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, to name a few. There are some superstars that will enter the Rumble with a ton of momentum, including Braun Strowman, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and Sami Zayn. There are eight spots that could go to any of a number of rumored “surprise” entrants, from Kurt Angle or Finn Balor or Samoa Joe or Tye Dillinger.

The ability to be surprised by a return or debuting superstar is one of the features that makes the Royal Rumble so exciting to begin with. The returns from injury of John Cena in 2008 and Edge in 2010 received huge pops from the crowd. Last year’s Royal Rumble featured the long-awaited WWE debut of the Phenomenal AJ Styles at number 3.

How do we know someone is entering the match or making his debut/return? It starts with the 10 second countdown. Every fan in attendance chants along as do many fans at home. The entire countdown is just a building anticipation toward that moment after we all yell “ONE!,” there’s a buzzer, and the next superstar’s music begins. The rattling horn sounds at the beginning or the familiar statement of “you think you know me” immediately tell fans that John Cena or Edge, respectively, are about to enter the match. AJ Styles’s debut was almost made better because his music was unknown. All fans at home saw was Roman Reigns looking confused as the music hit. Those in attendance were silent, stunned, until moments into the video—which fans at home didn’t see—read “Phenomenal.” That was their cue to go nuts just moments before the cameras finally revealed that, yes, indeed, the hottest superstar in the world was finally in WWE.

There are countless lists available that discuss best possible returns, best possible debuts, most likely surprises, etc. I thought, then, since we're awaiting Tye Dillinger's music at 10 or Samoa Joe's music or Finn Balor's music, why not look at the entrance music. Without further adieu, here are five superstars who changed their theme music and became even better because of it.

5. Triple H

The Cerebral Assassin has had several good-to-great entrance themes. His stables have even had great music, from D-Generation X to Evolution. Though his career was pretty great beforehand, it was his adoption of Motorhead’s “The Game” that solidified Triple H has a man that belonged near the top of every match card. In fact, Motorhead would then lend songs for the aforementioned Evolution (“Line in the Sand”) and his authority persona (“King of Kings”). Arguably the best part of “The Game” is that it is tailor-made for Triple H to complete his infamous water spit/spray from the apron.

4. Batista

Batista began his WWE run as Deacon Batista alongside Reverend D’Von (Dudley) on Smackdown. To be fair, their theme song was actually pretty cool and fit the characters, though the characters probably should never been created to begin with. The choir singing about faith was fitting, even if the persona wasn’t. His first real taste of great music came as a member of Evolution when he got to share “Line in the Sand” by Motorhed with Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton. He had his personal theme at the time, too, a music-only track called “Animal.”

When Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble, Triple H forced him from Evolution and out on his own. Forced to find his own music, Batista found Saliva’s “I Walk Alone.” Though not too different, musically, from “Animal,” “I Walk Alone” was heavier and featured lyrics that established his independence. From the opening guitar riff, it was clear that the following match was going to be hard-hitting and brutal. He would go on to become a four-time world champion, feuding with Hall of Famers such as Rey Mysterio, Edge, and The Undertaker.

3. Edge

Edge is the reason I first got into Rob Zombie. The WWE version of Rob Zombie’s “Never Gonna Stop” sent me down the rabbit hole into Rob Zombie’s music, complete with White Zombie, and eventually into B-Side horror films and then Rob’s films, all of which I own on Blu-Ray. But this wasn’t his best music. The Brood had an amazing theme and entrance, but it isn’t that theme, either. It’s his last theme song, “Metalingus” by Alter Bridge that cemented the Rated R Superstar.

Beginning with the oft-used “you think you know me” introduction and then a brief fury of drums was the perfect way to capture the Ultimate Opportunist’s new and last persona. His turn from the all-around good guy and partner to frustrated superstar willing to do whatever it takes to win is one of the best heel turns in WWE history. It was a long, slow build and when he finally embraced his R-rated nature, he quickly went from having never won it all to being an 11-time world champion and Hall of Famer. He’s won pretty much everything there is to win in WWE: Royal Rumble, King of the Ring, Money in the Bank, every major title, Elimination Chamber, TLC, Hell in a Cell. He’s done it all, including being THE main event of WrestleMania against The Undertaker, and most of it was accomplished after adopting Alter Bridge into his entrance.

2. CM Punk

CM Punk was one of the best heels in WWE before switching his theme song. He was also one of the most under-utilized and under-appreciated. “This Fire Burns” by Killswitch Engage served Punk admirably from day 1 in WWE, right through the Straight Edge Society, his run with the New Nexus, the infamous “pipe bomb” promo and his momentous victory over John Cena at Money in the Bank in 2011 to capture the WWE Championship before “leaving the company” due to an expiring contract. Just eight days after his departure, he returned, but it took a while for people to realize it.

John Cena had just defeated Rey Mysterio for the newly minted WWE Championship (which Rey had won earlier in the night). Cena is celebrating in the ring when Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” begins playing with no video package. Everyone is confused, including Cena, who can be heard saying “that’s not Alberto” referring to the Money in the Bank contract holder, Alberto Del Rio. The song plays for nearly 40 seconds before Punk finally stalks his way onto the stage, at which time the audience goes nuts. So began the “Summer of Punk” in earnest. It was with this theme that CM Punk truly became the Best in the World. He would eventually hold the WWE Championship for 434 days, including the entirety of 2012, still the longest reign in the modern era.

1. Randy Orton

Randy Orton was lucky to have great themes during his initial push. As part of Evolution, Randy was blessed to be able to enter while Motorhead’s “Line in the Sand” echoed through arenas. His first big solo them was Mercy Drive’s “Burn in My Light” which is still one of my all-time favorite entrance themes. This was the perfect theme for the Legend Killer persona. However, the Randy Orton of today, a 12-time world champion, is no longer a legend killer, but a legend.

In 2008, Randy Orton switched songs to “Voices” by Rev Theory. He was and is one of the best heels in WWE history. His ability to execute nearly every move with unbelievable precision combined with his ability to slink and slither makes it easy to believe that he is out of his mind and ready to destroy his adversary. This song only personifies his ability to get lost inside himself and channel whatever darkness it is that has made him a surefire Hall of Famer.