Oh, the power of a wrestling chant. The audience is everything when it comes to the WWE. In some rare instances, a crowd reaction or chant has actually elevated a superstar into main event territory (Daniel Bryan’s YES! Chant).
Without the support of the crowd, the probability of said Superstar being something higher than a mid-level wrestler was/is unlikely. Chants can also serve a variety of other purposes, whether it’s the WWE universe voicing their displeasure or just being absolutely random (especially the night after Wrestlemania).
The world of wrestling has truly created some of the greatest chants and here are ten of the best they have ever come up with.
#10 “You Deserve it!”
If you’re a wrestler, I’m not sure you could receive a better chant than this one. It can make them feel as if their hard work is being acknowledged by an arena full of wrestling fans.
One moment that comes to mind is Daniel Bryans post-Wrestlemania 30 celebration. He just stood in the ring the on Raw and was serenaded by the Seattle crowd chanting “You Deserve It”.
The NXT crowds at Full Sail University have carried on this tradition. The audience has used the chant for numerous wrestlers including Bayley, Sasha Banks, Paige and Finn Balor, just to name a few.
#9 “Heeeeey, Hey Bailey!”
This is one of my personal favourites. When it is chanted in full swing it sounds amazing. The NXT crowd started this one when NXT made its debut in London. The crowd was on fire all night, and the audience will go down as one of the best in the history of NXT.
During Bayley’s title defense the crowd was electric following her entrance, and this carried on to the start of the match when the crowd began to sing the lyrics of “Hey Baby” with Bayley’s name.
The crowd sang: “Hey, Hey Bayley, I wanna know if you’ll be my girl”. It was something of a goosebumps moment for many.
#8 “He’s got the whole world in his hands”
Bray Wyatt has this “it” factor, and in his feud with John Cena he started something of a great chant for the crowd to sink their teeth into. Whether it’s during his entrance with the thousands of fireflies in attendance or during his matches, there is something about Bray that just makes you want to get behind him.
Following WrestleMania 30, the Raw crowd began chanting “HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS”.
A song that Bray sang during some of his promos about John Cena. It was a surreal moment and fitted the feud perfectly as John Cena is a man who does have the whole world in his hands when it comes to the WWE.
Only, it was ironic that the chant was directed at Bray Wyatt instead.
#7 “This is Awesome”
This chant is music to the ears of pro wrestlers. When wrestlers hear this during a match they can be reassured they are doing a good job. Who wouldn’t want to hear a “this is awesome” chant during one of their matches?
The chant is a direct validation from the crowd that that they are being entertained. It is clear wrestling fans aren’t afraid to voice their displeasure when they are not satisfied (“this is boring”), but they are also not afraid to tell the WWE when something is good is happening in the ring.
Even to the person who is watching at home, when the hear “this is awesome”, you can’t help but want to join in.
#6 “We Want ____”
Most of the time this particular chant is meant for a wrestler that the fans want to have come out and save the day. Sometimes the chant is used even when it’s not supposed to be used (“we want Lana”)
Whatever the fans wanted, they made it abundantly clear by shouting out their desire to the powers-that-be in the WWE. Sometimes they got what they wanted, and other times they were ignored (the WWE are particularly good at that one).
It just goes to show that no matter how spectacular a show WWE may have planned, the fans will still find a way to want something else. There’s just no pleasing everyone I guess.
#5 “Welcome Back”
When a wrestler has been gone a really long time, but then finally makes a return to the ring, the fans will go crazy for it. The most notable case for this was the shock return of Shane McMahon this year. He received a massive pop and a huge welcome back chant.
No matter who the wrestler might be, fans love seeing WWE wrestlers come back after a long stint away from the company. It’s only proper that the fans acknowledge the wrestler’s return with a simple welcome back chant. It can boost the morale and get rid of any comeback nerves that the wrestler might be grappling with.
#4 “Holy S**t”
What makes this chant so unique is the fact that it can be used for so many different scenarios. We’ve seen this chant start for moves, announcements and returns.
Who can forget one of the biggest “Holy S**T” moments in WWE history has to be when Lesnar and the Big Show broke the ring during a match. It was an epic moment and deserves such a reaction.
Whenever the chant is used, it can make a huge moment seem even bigger than it already is and is a staple chant within the confines of a wrestling crowd.
#3 “Let’s go Cena, Cena sucks”
For years, WWE touted John Cena as one of their most controversial superstars or polarizing (whatever they’re in the mood to use). The inception of the dueling “Let’s go Cena!” and “Cena sucks!” chants have led to this statement by them and the chant is a given with many of John Cena’s appearances on television.
This is a great chant because there’s something for absolutely everyone – whether you’re part of the Cena-loving majority or the fans who love to pick him apart. Even people who like John Cena seem to chant it just beacause the chant has now become somewhat iconic (much like Kurt Angles “you suck” chant)
#2 You still got it!
While there’s a fair argument to be made that it’s somewhat of a backhanded compliment, we still enjoy hearing a crowd coming together and encouraging a returning legend to let the veteran know that they’re as good between the ropes as ever.
It’s no secret that nostalgia is a big deal in wrestling, and there can be no better feeling for a returning star to know that they are doing a great job with a big validation from the crowd in attendance. But also, it’s always good to show support for legitimate legends.
#1 Yes! Yes! Yes!
The “YES!” chant was started by none other than Daniel Bryan. The chant turned out to be so much bigger than it was once thought it would be.
It turned into a freedom of speech format for the WWE universe. The chant was not only used to spring Bryan into the main event picture, but is also used as a way for wrestling fans to express their agreement or joy with a certain storyline or matchup.
Even when Daniel was out with injury and or now that he is retired, it isn’t uncommon for a crowd to erupt into the legendary chant.
Is there any better sight than seeing an arena full of fans putting their hands in the air chanting YES! YES! YES! Over and over again?
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