Music is Everything (The value of a wrestler’s entrance)

They say wrestling, much like life, is about the journey just as much as the destination. And isn’t the journey truly set into motion the instant a wrestler’s anthem blasts from the speakers? For those born in the early ’80s, now navigating their late 30s and indelibly inked into wrestling’s illustrious storybook, the essence of entrance music is a tune that echoes deeply.

Picture it: the stadium lights dim to a murmur, the crowd falls silent, and then… the first striking note shatters the calm, like a comet slicing the nocturnal veil. It’s more than just a melody; it’s a sonic emblem, a rhythmic tale offering a preview of the wrestler ready to seize the limelight.

Does Our Lady Peace’s “Whatever” ring a bell? That hard-driving, edgy rock anthem that set your blood afire and your heart pounding? It was the perfect mirror for the grit, will, and rebellious streak that wrestling culture embodies. And when it boomed through the venue, fans were in no doubt that a boundary-pushing showdown was imminent.

Or take Finger Eleven’s “Slow Chemical,” a track that effortlessly blended the rawness of rock with a touch of enigmatic darkness. The moment this rhythm wafted into the atmosphere, it bewitched the spectators like a mystical call, sparking suspense and anticipation for the grand spectacle yet to unfold.

But entrance music is more than just a curtain-raiser; it’s a legacy builder. Who could overlook the spine-tingling gong that heralded the Undertaker, or the chilling gothic symphony accompanying Gangrel’s entry? These aren’t merely entrance tunes – they were the soulful backing track to these wrestlers’ enigmatic personas, forever imprinted in the wrestling fandom’s collective consciousness.

As time has marched on, the craft of entrance music has steadily evolved, yet its crucial role remains unaltered. It’s the golden thread weaving together performer and audience in a shared emotional journey. For the wrestlers, it’s a rallying cry; for the fans, an invitation to behold. It’s a reminder that wrestling, at its core, is a dramatic ballet of athleticism and performance, reality and spectacle, passion, and drama – all harmonized to a rhythmic cadence.

However, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that modern entrance anthems lack the raw energy of their iconic predecessors. Today’s soundtracks, though skillfully composed, often fail to evoke the same emotional depth and connection that classics like “Whatever” or “Slow Chemical” did. It’s as if the soul and fervor that once imbued the creation of entrance music are teetering on the edge of oblivion.

This isn’t a slight on the talent of today’s music creators, but rather, it’s a yearning for a time when entrance themes were more than just ambient noise. They were a vital part of the wrestling narrative, they wove a tale, they introduced characters we could cheer or jeer – they enriched the drama unfolding in the ring.

The value of a wrestler’s entrance music lies not only in its power to electrify the audience but also in its capacity to stir nostalgia and link us to the past. As we gaze into the future of wrestling, many fans hope for a revival of entrancing anthem creation, once again pulsating with the visceral, emotional force that reminds us why we fell head over heels for this sport in the first place. The anthem, after all, isn’t just about declaring a wrestler’s presence – it’s about affirming their place in our hearts and in wrestling lore.

So, the next time the lights dim and that familiar melody sounds, take a beat to revel in the power of the music. It’s more than just a prelude – it’s a vital component of the narrative, a rhythm to the heartbeat of wrestling. After all, every wrestler is not merely defined by their performance within the four corners of the ring, but also by the anthem that leads them down the aisle.

Robbie Vice
2023