A look at the pro wrestling theme songs created by Arkansas native Jim Johnston

Written By Apo April 19, 2025 Add Comment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — This weekend, wrestling fans around the world will be watching Wrestlemania 41, which is happening at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.

Throughout the event’s history, some of its most iconic moments and entrances featured music written by Pocahontas native and former WWE composer Jim Johnston. Here is a look at some of the songs that he created during his illustrious career.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Throughout his time as WWE’s music director, Johnston wrote and composed countless songs for the company, but few would become as instantly recognizable as the entrance music of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. During his career, Austin came out to the jarring sounds of glass shattering mixed with chugging guitars and a sense of impending chaos that sent fans into a frenzy.

The Undertaker

WWE Superstar Undertaker during WrestleMania XXVII at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, April 3, 2011. (Paul Abell/AP Images for WWE Corp.)

During his legendary run, The Undertaker had several memorable entrances and themes, but the one that struck the most dread in the heart of opponents and audiences alike is “Rest in Peace.” With its mix of tolling bells, cracking thunder and surging pipe organs, Johnston created a song that perfectly matched the billowing smoke, purple lights and the dead man’s hulking frame as it lumbers towards the ring.

D-Generation X

Championship World Wrestling Federation wrestler Shawn Michaels, is escorted by a Boston Police officer past fans into Boston City Hall Plaza for a pre-Wrestlemania Public Workout, Thursday, March 26, 1998. Wrestlemania XIV is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 1998 and pits Shawn Michaels against Stone Cold Steve Austin in the Championship match to feature "Iron Mike" Tyson as a "Special Enforcer." (AP Photo/ Victoria Arocho)

When Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley combined forces to form D-Generation X in 1997, they brought with them an attitude-fueled new theme song and helped usher in a new era for the company. As Michaels entered the arena as champion at Wrestlemania XIV, the DX theme was played by a live band featuring Johnston on guitar.

Sycho Sid

FILE – A tag team match at Madison Square Garden, New York, on March 23, 1992: Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper v Ric Flair & Sid Justice. Pictured are Hulk Hogan and Sid Justice. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

When Arkansas native Sid Eudy entered the ring during his run with the WWE title in the late 90s, he did so under the ring name Sycho Sid and had an appropriately named entrance theme. With its stabbing orchestration, brooding atmosphere and rollercoaster tempo, the anxiety-inducing “Psycho-Dance” matched Sid’s stature and personality perfectly.

Here are some other wrestlers who have entered the ring while being accompanied by Johnston’s music:

The Rock
Bret Hart
Shawn Michaels
Ken Shamrock
Kane
The Brood/Edge and Christian
New Age Outlaws
Chris Jericho
Ultimate Warrior
Randy Orton

In addition to his time with the WWE, Johnston has worked for various TV networks, composed scores for film projects and he is a 13-time winner of the BMI Film & TV Award. He also produced the album “WWF The Music, Volume 3” which was certified platinum in the United States with 1.2 million copies sold.

from KARK https://ift.tt/D0K9lZ3