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After the sad and surprising news broke yesterday that WWE music producer Jim Johnston had been released from the company after over 30 years of service, now seems like a good time to look back at some of the most memorable themes that Johnston created.
Jim Johnston was an unsung hero during his WWE tenure, particularly during the ‘Attitude Era’, when he provided memorable themes for most of the company’s most colourful characters.
However, Jim has had a more limited role in recent years after CFO$ took charge of WWE’s music department in 2014, and as of yesterday Johnston is reportedly no longer with the company.
So with that in mind, let’s take a moment to look back at 10 of Jim Johnston’s most iconic wrestling themes.
#10 Mr McMahon: ‘No Chance In Hell’
Where better to start than with the boss, Mr McMahon?
Whenever any wrestling fan hears this music, they can’t help but picture Vince’s ‘Billionaire strut’ down the ramp as he heads to the ring to take care of business.
“No chance, that’s what you’ve got, up against a machine too strong”
Those words that begin Mr McMahon’s iconic theme speak as true today as when they first rang around arenas in the 90’s. They sum up the attitude of any pro-wrestling heel authority figure, but Vince was the original and this theme fits him down to a tee.
#9 Kane: ‘Burned’
Kane is one of the greatest and longest-serving characters in WWE’s history and he needed to have an iconic theme, which Jim Johnston duly provided.
Whether it’s the explosive pyro that marks Kane’s arrival nowadays or the eerie piano that signalled impending doom during his entrance in the 90’s, Kane’s music has always changed the mood in an arena and was fitting of his dark, demonic character.
#8 Brock Lesnar: ‘Next Big Thing’
Is there any sound more terrifying to a pro-wrestler than the screeching sound that plays at the beginning of Brock Lesnar’s music?
A tingle must go up the spine of whoever is unfortunate enough to be in the ring when the Beast enters the arena.
The screeching sound is followed by thunderous drums, that perfectly fit the way that Lesnar stomps to the ring to beat, victimise and conquer whichever opponent is standing in his way.
Jim Johnston managed to create the ideal theme for Brock, which just seems to shout, “here comes the pain”.
#7 Goldust: ‘Gold-lust’
One of my personal favourite themes that Jim Johnston created was for the ‘Bizarre One’, Goldust.
Goldust is arguably the most unique character to ever step foot in the WWE, so finding a fitting entrance theme for him was no easy task. However, Jim Johnston was able to create a piece of music that fit him perfectly.
The glistening, sparkly sound that plays underneath his music adds so much to the overall presentation of Goldust’s iconic entrance and, in my opinion, is one of the most epic pieces of music that Jim Johnston has ever produced.
#6 The Shield: ‘Special Op’
A more recent theme that Jim Johnston produced was for The Shield, and while Roman Reigns now uses the core of this theme for his solo entrance music, The Shield’s music just feels cooler.
“Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta”
These six words meant that whoever was stood in the ring, whether it is The Undertaker, The Rock or anybody else, they were in severe danger as The Shield were on their way through the crowd to administer their own form of justice.
#5 Triple H: ‘My Time’
While today Triple H may be more synonymous with his Motorhead entrance themes, the fans that were watching during the Attitude Era also fondly remember his ‘My Time’ track.
Triple H was the quintessential heel champion in the early 2000’s and his McMahon-Helmsley faction dominated the main event scene for a lot of this time.
‘My Time’ will remind fans of numerous pay-per-views which were closed with this music playing as Triple H, along with the McMahons and DX, had found another cheap way to keep the WWF Championship around the waist of ‘The Game’.
#4 The Rock: ‘If You Smell…’
It can’t be easy to write an entrance theme for the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, but Jim Johnston managed to do it with one of his most iconic pieces of music.
As soon as the “If you smell…” played in an arena, the audience seemed energised and they were ready to be entertained by the ‘People’s Champion’, whether it was in a match or in another of The Rock’s infamous promos.
The sound of the electric guitar never fails to evoke the image of The Rock stood tall on the second rope in the corner of the ring, as he lifts his arm aloft and sniffs the air.
#3 Chris Jericho: ‘Break Down The Walls’
Chris Jericho’s entrance music is often listed amongst the greatest wrestling themes ever created.
From the unmistakable sound of the countdown to the defiant lyrics of “break the walls down”, I’m sure every wrestling fan has shamelessly sung along to this theme on multiple occasions.
‘Break Down The Walls’ sounds as fresh today as it did way back in 1999 when Chris Jericho made his memorable debut on Monday Night Raw when he interrupted The Rock.
Jim Johnston created something that really struck a chord with wrestling fans and it will be a theme that will be fondly remembered for many years to come.
#2 The Undertaker: ‘Rest In Peace’
The Undertaker has had many entrance themes during his 27-year run in WWE, but ‘Rest In Peace’ will surely go down as his most iconic.
The ‘Deadman’ has become something of a mythical being over the last 10 years in particular, and the legendary gong that signals his arrival has never failed to completely change the atmosphere in an arena.
The whole spectacle of The Undertaker’s entrance is truly something to behold and the grandiose music that Jim Johnston created plays a huge part in this.
A generic sounding, spooky theme would not have done The Undertaker’s character justice. The theme that Johnston created plays a significant part in making Taker’s presence truly special.
#1 ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin: ‘I Won’t Do What You Tell Me’
Onto what is arguably the greatest wrestling theme ever created, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s ‘I Won’t Do What You Tell Me’.
It’s simple but, boy, is it effective. The iconic bass riff will make every wrestling fan want to replicate Austin’s bad-ass walk to the ring and hold two middle fingers in the air.
As for the start, many wrestlers have recognisable and crowd-popping beginnings to their themes, but nothing sounds the fans into a frenzy quicker than Austin’s glass shattering.
Austin’s music has made audiences erupt on countless occasions, and while that is a reflection of Stone Cold’s popularity in the business, it is also proof of just how incredible Jim Johnston was at finding a theme that fit a performer perfectly.
This list is just a small percentage of Johnston’s amazing work and I’m sure I’ve missed some of your personal favourites, so why not join the conversation in the comments below and tell us your most-loved Jim Johnston wrestling themes?
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