Songs that SHOULD Have been Wrestler’s Themes

If you’re more than the average fan, chances are you can go word for word or note for note with any litany of wrestler themes across a multitude of eras. The entrance theme is a vital part of any wrestlers persona and plays a major role in how they are received by the live audience. A great entrance theme can put a rising star on the average fans radar or propel an already established star to an unthinkable level, case in point, Chris Jericho’s Judas. However, many times wrestlers who aren’t particularly pinned by management for the main event scene are often saddled with any number of boring or reused stick music from the WWE library. While other companies such as AEW have shelled out some major bucks for song rights in the past year, we completely understand the sizable reason why this luxury cannot be afforded to everyone. That being said, some theme choices just seem too obvious to pass up!

Lunatic Fringe: Dean Ambrose

Now listen, Tony Khan’s recent Acquisition of Wild Thing for Moxley is a spot on fit, we’re not debating that. However, The WWE’s Dean Ambrose was a very different character entirely. Taking much of the hardcore and ruthless style Moxley was known for and toning it down, WWE startled the then Dean Ambrose with the monicker, Lunatic Fringe. Had this maybe just been “The Lunatic” maybe it would’ve had more legs, but I can honestly say I’ve never once heard the phrase “lunatic fringe” used outside of the 1981 Red Rider song of the same name. This was no one and done nickname either, it stuck with him his entire WWE career! You’d think at some point this would’ve been adapted to his entrance theme, maybe when he broke out from The Shield as a singles star, maybe after he won his first WWE Championship, or one of his big returns to the ring, but no. The opportunity was always there several times over, it would seem more than anything “The Fed” just didn’t want to spend the extra green on The Dean. This theme may have been the catalyst that took the Ambrose persona to a more serious and ruthless level, alas all we ever got were some awkwardly places sirens over the same old tune.

Be A Man: Randy Savage

Getting a little more specific on this one, Pomp and Circumstance is 100% the definitive Macho Man theme. The only song that could’ve possibly played the cream of the crop to the ring for all those glorious years, but we’re not talking WWF here, hell we aren’t even taking WCW. In a very unexpected turn of events The Macho King found himself signed to a TNA contract in 2004 just in time for his big debut at their Turning Point PPV. This wasn’t the robe wearing, colorful, catchphrase spouting Savage of old though. More reminiscent of his latter-day WCW gimmick, Savage was back in black, head-to-toe leather with a more serious demeanor than ever. This would’ve been the perfect time for Randy’s rap album Be A Man to be brought to the live wrestling audience. With the self titled track playing him too the ring, this much more grizzled and rough are kind the edges Savage would’ve been backed by his own fitting signature gravely voice, rather than some weird dance club inspired version of his classic theme.

Ziggy Stardust: Stardust

His name was Stardust. Stardust, how do you drop the ball on this. Presumably, the copyright for David Bowie must’ve been immaculate, however, if they planned to keep Cody in that silly little trash bag suit, which clearly they did, why not invest in it. There is a long standing theory in the wrestling world that Mr. McMahon has always forced the Rhodes family into ridiculous gimmicks and costumes in order to get back at Dusty and the NWA for opposing his product, be it yellow polka dots, the “Androgynous” Goldust, or … this thing, and we can’t help but believe that to be at least partially true. I mean for God sake, he even painted his face like Bowie upon the singers passing. Just imagine how much more of a presence, and less of a joke, this could’ve been with Cody walking to the ring as the Ziggy Stardust guitar riff blared behind him, you know the one.

Break On Through: John Morrison

This one legitimately bothers me to this day. The whole basis of the John Morrison gimmick is that he bares a striking resemblance to Doors front man Jim Morrison. Literally, look at his early presentation on WWECW, his attires, manner of speech, what he references, HIS DAMN FINISHING MOVE IS THE STARSHIP PAIN. He is a walking tribute to The Doors. So if someone could please explain to me what in the hell his entrance theme is suppose to sound like, because it damn sure ain’t Jim. The only thing I keep telling myself is that someone pitched the gimmick to the audio department and had to try and explain what The Doors sounded like without ever listening to them. “Yeah man, so it’s like, psychedelic 70s rock with heavy guitar influence then add some guy who sounds drugged out over it”. That’s the only logical explanation I have, and that’s no disrespect to Jim Johnston because he was a phenomenal asset to the company, by damn what the hell happened here. It doesn’t even have to be Break On Through, it could literally be ANY Doors song, Hell it could be a knock off instrumental cover of a Doors song. Something that makes sense is all I ask for, is that too much? Well, I’m WWE yes, yes it is.

Bonus Track

The Touch: Hulk Hogan

I just need this for one night only. Imagine it, the Nitro following the infamous “Finger Poke of Doom”, Hogan hits the ramp with the WCW/NWO World Title as “YOU’VE GOT THE TOUCH” blares behind him, flanked of course by the Touch-ee himself Big Sexy, Kevin Nash. You’d laugh, admit it.

Let us know what themes you think wrestlers should have been using down below and be sure to check out more blogs like this one right here!

-Stye

Wrestling Rules That Are Completely Ignored

Completely Ignored Wrestling Rules

If you’ve sat in front of your TV set watching the weekly spectacle that is sports entertainment for the better part of a quarter of the last century, you’d probably think you’ve got a pretty solid grasp of the rules right? Legal men, tag ropes, the Shawn Michaels rule, all that good stuff! However, if then following rules have slipped past your radar over the years then fret not, the all mighty World Wrestling Entertainment seemingly doesn’t know about them either. The following are the most completely ignored wrestling rules of all time.

No Choke Holds

bleacherreport.com

We’re kicking it off with a duzy! You’re probably thinking to yourself, I’ve seen hundreds of choke holds! There are choke hold finishers! The Sleeper, Hell’s Gate, The Million Dollar Dream! The WWE officially banned choke holds due to the extreme risk involved with the legitimacy of the litany of choke hold varieties. However, the WWE later defined what exactly they consider a choke hold as, “a hand around the throat for a prolonged period of time”(sportskeeda.com) in order to preserve the use of widely known and famous move such as previously discussed.

30 Day Defense Rule

WWE.com

We’re looking at you 2013 Dean Ambrose US title reign. According to the official WWE rule book, a title must be defended at least once every 30 days, failure to do so may result in the championship in question being vacated. A rule seemingly forgotten about in recent years, oddly enough it began to become a talking point during the 2013 United States Championship run of Dean Ambrose. During his 351 day title reign, the internet wrestling community began to grow aggravated at the lack of title defenses by one Dean Ambrose. Citing the 30 day title defense rule, the community’s general consensus even became a throw away gag in WWE weekly programing as Dean’s fellow shield members as well as on screen authority figures began speculating when he would next defend the belt. Since then it would seem this rule has been once again quietly pushed under the rug.

The Outlaw Rule

retroprowrestling.com

Originating on a June 8th 1998 episode of Monday Night Raw, The New Age Outlaws found themselves defending the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a three way tag match against LOD 2000 and the D.O.A. During the match both Road Dogg and Mr. Ass found themselves as the respective legal man. Taking advantage of a newly found loophole in the match, Road Dogg laid down to Billy fo the 1-2-3 to retain the tag straps. In light of this, the following week WWE rolled out “The Outlaw Rule” stating that in the instance of two members of the same team being tagged in, a pin could not decide a victory. (Ironically enough, technically there is still a loophole about submission based victories.) Once again, WWE’s hazy memory has bested them as now seemingly a regular spot in any high profile three way tag match is the obligatory partner pin attempt.

The Power of Attorney Rule

wwe.com

Only ever mentioned once on an episode of WCW Nitro, The power of attorney rule grants a title holder the ability to transfer their championship to a fellow superstar upon a lengthy injury rather than be forced to vacate their belt. DO NOT BE MISTAKEN, THIS IS A TERRIBLE RULE. The grandest prize in the game should never be treated like a hand me down, and quite literally, be given to a competitor without properly earning it. Over in the WWE however, we have only ever seen one instance that vaguely resembles this. Upon the injury of WWE Tag Team Champion,Edge in the summer of 2009, tag team partner Chris Jericho claimed he would defend and hold the belts by himself. Unfortunately for Y2J, WWE on screen authority ruled he would either have to find a new tag partner to fill the spot of The Rated R Superstar, or be forced to vacate the belts. Enter The Big Show.

The Mask Rule

mandatory.com

You’ve heard it time and time again, typically during any Rey Mysterio match of the past two decades. “A Luchador’s mask is a symbol of his heritage and honor.” It would appear the WWE’s research of the art of Lucha Libre stops there however. In lucha culture, not only is the mask the previously mentioned symbol, it is HEAVILY protected. While in public, luchadors remain under the mask and some even go as far as to be buried in them. In order to showcase this importance, it is highly illegal to remove the mask of another fighter if not previously agreed upon in a match stipulation. The removal of a mask not only results in the disqualification of the match but typically is followed by a hefty fine, suspension, or termination. While WWE is no stranger to the mask vs. mask or mask vs. hair stipulation, they are also no stranger to the random shock removal of a mask just for cheap heat.

Those were just a handful of commonly ignored rules in the WWE, did you know about them? Let me know if you think these rules should be enforced, or any other rules that should have made the list below! Be sure to check out more blogs just like this one right here as well!

-Style

Morrell, Jack. “10 Oddest Rules In Wrestling.” WhatCulture.com, WhatCulture.com, 4 Oct. 2018, whatculture.com/wwe/10-oddest-rules-in-wrestling.

Lars Sullivan In More Hot Water For Unsolicited Pics

Lars Sullivan Sends Unsolicited DMs

The October 9th 2020 WWE Draft marked the TV return of “The Freak” Lars Sullivan. Sullivan was drafted to Smackdown in shocking fashion following the tag team match of Miz and Morrison Vs. Jeff Hardy and Matt Riddle. This marked the first time Lars Sullivan had been seen on WWE TV since June 2019, when he was sidelined with a knee injury.

All may not be going to plan with Sullivan’s return however as new information about Lars Sullivan sending unsolicited nude photographs has surfaced. Sullivan is no stranger to falling victim to his own actions online, In December of 2019 videos surfaced of Sullivan’s past in the adult film industry under the name of Mitch Bennett.

Photo: EWrestling,com

Sullivan had also been under previous scrutiny for comments regarding race, sexual orientations, and inappropriate sexual comments about WWE Chief Brand Officer, Stephanie McMahon. The comments were found and showcased by a user on Reddit and feature forum comments on BodyBuilding.com from two separate accounts linked back to the wrestler posted between the years of 2007 and 2013. Sullivan has since issued an apology for the comments and was given the fine of $100,000 by WWE.

Photo: tpwwforums.com

The latest incident see’s WWE’s Lars Sullivan harassing a woman via Instagram and asking for pictures before then sending unsolicited pictures of his own. A Reddit thread was posted showing photographs of the conversations from Sullivan’s official account.

As of now there has not been any statement issued by Lars Sullivan or the WWE. Moving forward, what will this mean for the career of the newly returning Lars Sullivan?

-Style

J, Nishant. “Lars Sullivan’s WWE Draft Status Reportedly Revealed.” Sports News, Sportskeeda, 11 Oct. 2020, http://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/lars-sullivan-wwe-draft-status-reportedly-revealed.

Upton, Felix. “Lars Sullivan Outed For Sending Unsolicited Inappropriate Messages To Married Woman.” Ringside News, 11 Oct. 2020, http://www.ringsidenews.com/2020/10/11/lars-sullivan-outed-for-sending-unsolicited-inappropriate-messages-to-married-woman/.

Gartland, Dan. “Lars Sullivan Apologizes for History of Offensive Remarks.” Sports Illustrated, 10 May 2019, http://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/05/10/wwe-lars-sullivan-controversy-racist-comments-apology.

Lars Sullivan’s Bigoted Past (Titus O’Neil Tweets) – TPWW Forums, http://www.tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=136207%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft.