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Jim Johnston is one of the most legendary names of all time in wrestling, especially in WWE. He is the man responsible for most, if not all of our favourite themes of WWE superstars before 2011.
With a string of releases happening in WWE recently, with the likes of Emma, Darren Young, James Ellsworth and a few others getting released, another shocker comes our way. Multiple websites reported the release of Jim Johnston from the company.
It seems WWE is in good hands with the duo of CFO$, who have given us themes like Bobby Roode's "Glorious Domination" and Shinsuke Nakamura's "The Rising Sun", but one can't help but reminisce.
Here are the top ten themes of all time by Jim Johnston. Enjoy!
#10 The Ultimate Warrior
If you're one of our older readers, chances are you all have jumped at your televisions sets as the Warrior came running into the ring while his trashy, rock theme buzzed across the arena. Classic!
#9 Mick Foley
The hardcore legend Mick Foley is responsible for the most brutal moments in WWE history. Foley has never been afraid to "Wreck" himself for the sake of wrestling, and that is aptly conveyed by his theme, which starts with the familiar sound of a truck crashing as Foley entered the ring to play with nails and barbed wire. A fitting theme indeed
#8 Big Show
You know who it is? Weeeeelllll it's the Big Show!
This theme sounds like elephants marching through the ramp, and it should. The Big Show's giant persona, build and character are greatly accentuated by this monster of an entrance theme. This theme is one of the most popular themes from the WWE and is instantly identified with Big Show's personality.
#7 Kane
The big red monster needs a fiery hot, straight-from-hell theme to accompany him through the entrance ramp, and boy did he get one!
The ominous church organ intro to "Veil of Fire" has let us know of the impending doom for over a decade, with the guitar riff coming as Kane emerged from between the flames. No other theme could accentuate Kane's personality as much as this has. An instantly recognizable widely loved theme.
#6 Bret "The Hitman" Hart
Nothing more nostalgic than hearing the opening shriek of the guitar as the Hitman made his way to the ring. The theme is so tied up with Bret now, that it is impossible to think about Bret without this music playing in our heads.
A version of this theme song still lives on in the current WWE days, serving as the theme song for WWE Superstar Natalya, who is also from the Hart family.
#5 Triple H
It really is all about the game, isn't it?
This legendary collaboration between Johnston and Motorhead gave rise to one of the best theme songs of all time. The opening power chord has let us all know over the years that it is not the time to play the game. All of us have an image on Triple H spewing water from the outside the ropes, as the guitar riffs powered by the unique voice of Lemmy go on. RIP Lemmy!
"The Game" has been performed multiple times by Motorhead live on pay-per-view entrances too.
#4 Vince McMahon
When the absolute boss of the WWE Universe comes down to the ring to talk to you, you really have NO CHANCE! And who let us know of that? Jim did.
Vince's heel dominating Mr McMahon character has been one of our recurring favourites, spelling doom and a possible firing for the wrestler who has no chance surviving the WWE Chairman's wrath.
Crowds over the years have loved singing along to this song, with the entire entrance arena buzzing with the chorus.
"No Chance! You've got no chance in hell!"
#3 The Rock
If you smell what the Rock is cooking, then you surely know that this has to be one the greatest entrance themes of all time!
Jim Johnston's "Electrifying" perfectly accentuates the Rock's "jabroni beatin pie eating trail blazin eyebrow raisin" personality. The theme has gotten Dwayne Johnson the loudest pops in WWE history.
There have literally hundreds of goosebumps moments as we heard the opening words of the theme interrupting the many despicable heels of the last decade, to let us know the Rock is here to save us all!
#2 The Undertaker
The Undertaker has had one the unique personalities in the WWE, and the theme song had to be something special. And special it was! This has to one of the crowning achievements of Jim's illustrious career.
A majestic piece of music from top to bottom, dominated but organ keys and washy gongs, this theme has let us know that the Deadman has arrived in the squared circle.
This theme is one of the primary reasons why Taker's entrance is so epic and brings back many memories of his amazing Wrestlemania entrances over the years.
#1 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
There is no single second of sound more familiar in the WWE universe than the glass shattering to the arrival of the Texas Rattlesnake. Austin is responsible for the most amazing pops and moments from the attitude era, even pioneering it according to some.
He needed a theme that would be as brash, as authority-defying, as badass as the person he is, and Jim did an amazing job here.
Honorable Mentions:
Chris Jericho
Randy Orton
Shane McMahon
Suffice to say, in an industry as large as wrestling, Jim has left his unique mark with his amazing work over the years. Wrestling really wouldn't have been as awesome as it his without his contributions. We thank the legendary Jim Johnston for his service to wrestling.
What are your favourite themes by Jim? Let us know in the comments below!
