Entrance Music and its Effects on Popularity

[Danger]

There's been quite a few topics on entrance music in the WWE lately, and the discussion has gotten me thinking about how a wrestler's entrance theme directly influence's how popular they are. Obviously, that's not always the norm, but there are definitely quite a few cases.

For example, when did you guys first notice Alex Riley's main event potential? I had liked him from his time on NXT, and thought he was an ok wrestler since then. I even took a little bit of notice of him the night he attacked the Miz, but it wasn't until he made his entrance the following week with that awesome music that I think a lot of people got behind him.

Another example that I hear about a lot is John Morrison's theme song. Personally, I like the opening guitar riff, but the rest of the theme is just meh. We can all agree that Morrison is one of the most talented and most promising up and comers on Raw, but I always hear people saying that his theme song is holding him back. It kind of baffles me a bit, since he's a great wrestler and he's popular, but 45 seconds of music is holding him back?

Shawn Michaels, Austin, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Cena... I could go on. They all have instantly recognizable theme music that gets the energy flowing when they come out. But how important was their theme music to their success?

Now for the topic of discussion. How important do you guys think theme music is to a wrestler's success/popularity and who do think benefits the most from their theme music or who do you think is hindered by it?

[Ruthless_Aggression]

I think the first five seconds are the most important part of one's theme music. When you hear the first string of Triple H's theme, the gong in the Undertaker's theme, the riffs in the first few seconds of CM Punk's theme, and so on are what really pumps up the crowd right as they enter the arena.

[TheBeardOfZeus]

It's a big part, because that can make someone memorable.

I was quite a fan of A-RY on NXT, I thought he was decent in-ring and has got talent on the mike.

I like Morrisons as well. I think music is important, but a crap theme won't hold you back too much. I mean, look at Khali. His theme wasn't very good but he's a former WHC.

[SESAfro]

Yeah, as Zues stated, it's doesn't hurt as much if you have a bad theme. Take Chris Masters for example. He has THE most generic rock theme music, yet he has done well with his spot. He has the look. The things he needs is the mic skills, moves and the music. The thing with the music is it embodies what the wrestler is. It can make or break a gimmick too. So, it is rather important.

[StevenT8481]

IMO its HUGE.
It can make or break a character/wrestler to me.
Example, Zigglers newest version of his intro music made me automatically like him more than I did before.
Maybe I put too much stock into the music, but it just plays a vital role IMO.

[NWOMyGawd]

It's a big part, because that can make someone memorable.

I was quite a fan of A-RY on NXT, I thought he was decent in-ring and has got talent on the mike.

I like Morrisons as well. I think music is important, but a crap theme won't hold you back too much. I mean, look at Khali. His theme wasn't very good but he's a former WHC.

Khali only got the title because he is huge as a house. It's kind of hard to keep someone that large out of the title picture for that long. That's just the way that Vince used to think with some of these talentless giants. Morrison has the talent and the recognizable style. And I think that using a Doors-inspired (although it is pretty bad) works for someone like JM trying to come across as Jim Morrison. If he changed his gimmick a little bit and got that amazing first 5 seconds of a Titantron....instant champion.

[TheBeardOfZeus]

Khali only got the title because he is huge as a house. It's kind of hard to keep someone that large out of the title picture for that long. That's just the way that Vince used to think with some of these talentless giants. Morrison has the talent and the recognizable style. And I think that using a Doors-inspired (although it is pretty bad) works for someone like JM trying to come across as Jim Morrison. If he changed his gimmick a little bit and got that amazing first 5 seconds of a Titantron....instant champion.

My point was more it doesn't make or break things.

Morrison's theme is quite good, he just needs to become more rockstar.

[SESAfro]

Morrison's theme is quite good, he just needs to become more rockstar.

He doesn't really. His music permeates calm, laid-back style, which is shown when he first walks out with the small bounce. It just works out.

[TheBeardOfZeus]

He doesn't really. His music permeates calm, laid-back style, which is shown when he first walks out with the small bounce. It just works out.

I meant more that he is a rockstar, be just that bit cooler and suave.

Not rock the fuck out, although if I had a rocker gimmick I would.

[Y2Jryder]

I have to agree with you, Riley's theme song is awesome and he could be a main eventer. Morrison's theme song sucks just like Kofi's