So I'm going to #shock the System by reviewing music. On Pee Dub no less... we're really doing something different and unexpected. Remember back in the day before the itunes and the digital stuff there used to be CDs and albums and even wrestling got into it. I'm sure anyone in this demo (face it we old yo) has owned at least one of these bad boys and I'ma "review" them and put them over because we just can't get enough of DIS BUSINESS. Hopefully KING KID doesn't tell Fergus' lawyers because they stealing your ideas bruh...

Anyways it's a Ness thread so expect nonsense and words that shouldn't be strung together. You know what you're getting into at this point. I love wrestling music, I've posted about it elsewhere. yes I'm the mutant who would download .wav files that were recorded from TV or even let the replay loop over and over in No Mercy just to continue hearing the music. Also isn't it crazy how freely they play the Hardyz and Seth Rollins themes on the radio? Is there no copyright or did WWE just use generic rock tracks?

"WWF The Music: Volume 1"

WWF Full METAL: THE ALBUM

We're gonna go ahead and refer to this as WWF The Music Vol 1 just for simplicity, though I am sure Emperor will insist we use the proper title since it is very METAL. Released at the tail end of 1995 right when we were creeping and tip toeing into the Attitude Era, full on New Generation stank to start out. Slam Jam opens up as the classic Raw is War background music before we slide into everyone's favorite Raw Theme, Thorn In Your Eye. The day anyone can understand a lyric from the song is the day I stop posting on PW. I'm fully convinced Delirious got his gimmick from hearing this song. If you know you know! Gotta say I much prefer the "tv size" version seen on Raw rather than the full version.

First actual wrestling theme is for Diesel, which makes sense as he was still rocking a year long reign at this point and he's the biggest star in the company. Talking mostly literally at this point. Say what you want about it, but before wrestling went "real songs" with lyrics and stuff... this just *feels* like a wrestling theme. Sound effects... looped 30 second worth of action for a titan tron, yes sir this is a wrestling theme. And much like a black wrestling t-shirt, odds are you could play this and they wouldn't know. Feels at home in a dive bar or as background music for any theme park. Not gonna go out of my way to listen to this, but if it's on and I can't change it... good enough.

Next is King Mabel, I gots no attachment to him or this time in WWF so I can't comment on that aspect. It's forgettable much like his whole run, but he did almost break Big Kev's back so that's gotta be worth something. On it's own it kinda sucks and is barely there.

123 Kid, and yes that's what is likely to separate this album from more modern releases... there's no mistaking what these are. 123 and generic music is all this is.

Goldust is next (and as a kid I always spelled it as Golddust or Gold Dust despite it likely being done correctly on TV) and it's a classic. What do we define as a classic? The same theme used throughout their careers with very little changes. You're not likely to find correctly labeled "Goldust 14th unreleased theme" because they got it right from jump. Best track so far, which is saying a lot.

Smoking Guns again I wasn't a fan at the time despite one of the Boys(tm) being here, but I like it well enough. A few sound effects and a looping sound... wrestling theme 101. Fits right alongside Diesel jackniffing out of control.

Sycho Sid I'm simply reminded of his entrance @ Survivor 96 where he's a total heel but too cool for school and just fistbumping the fans. YEAH! Sid always rules but his theme is just okay despite that.

Razor Ramon is another classic at least for WWF, and hey I recognize that tire screech from Foley's. This theme makes me think of the WMX entrance and how cool he looked. Dude that's all wrestling is to me. Cool dudes doing cool things in cool ways. "He doesn't know the difference between a wrist watch..." - that's how you become cool.

Bret Hart is the goat, THE GOAT. And so is his theme. Can you honestly tell me you've never stood in front of the bathroom mirror while this is playing and doing the arm taunt? LIAR! Remember how all the personality of the Hart Foundation tag/stable of the 2000s was basically just reusing this theme? And it still hits all the right wrestling theme notes. Sound effects, looped THEME not a friggin' song. Yes sir, right into my VEINS.

Hakushi is up and his is very subtle, barely above a whisper. Fitting he's with Bret as that IYH match with the Hitman is still fondly remembered for reasons.

Taker's classic is up next. It's the Winged Eagle of his themes. Not much to say here, it's a foundation that he used for decades and while you might prefer some more than others... you can't run unless this one taught you to walk.

HBK brings on another classic that really never changed much after being established. The only one to really top it was Sexy Kurt, then again other than coming out to DX or a lesser extent the Corporation during one of his 7 Commissioner appearances... he always used this one. It ain't broke kids. Always loved the instruments when he says hands off the merchandise. In terms of recreational listening this song is the clear #1 for me, which makes no sense because it's Sexy Boy. How do you even explain that to a father? Son are you winning? Don't you hear it Dad?

You're either opening or you're closing and we close with With My Baby Tonight from Je Double F Ja Double R E Double T. I don't know how it ranks in the Baker top 10, but if it makes it he's probably the only one.

I should state that apparently in some digital rerelease they included 2 bonus tracks for more "modern" stars but I refuse to include them because in 95 they weren't even a thought. And you could argue in 2024 they still aren't... if/when their themes pop up naturally in an album I'll give a listen... until then.

Since this is HISTORY I'm gonna rate it in true mark fashion.

*** - A solid run down memory lane, but more bland tracks than classics. They do a lot of heavy lifting, but I imagine they're gonna show up on later comps so at least from an Attitude Era kid... yeah I'd rather listen to them on a set that gets more bang for my buck.

Love this 🤙 I need these CDs to rip to my original XBOX to use in custom in game soundtracks for NFL 2K5 stadium music

I'm so old, I remember the white cassette tapes you could only get from being a WWF Fan Club member.

WWF THE MUSIC: VOLUME 2

This bad boy was released a little after Montreal in 97, so the question becomes... Bret may have been screwed but were the fans? We fixin' to find out fam.

We open with another rendition for Undertaker. Can't say I'm too familiar with this, very subtle but familiar tone with Taker saying some gibberish in the background. Must be having a meeting with those druids that only show up for Mania paydays.

Next up is the first Stone Cold Steve Austin theme in the series. Got a feeling it will hardly be the last. The 96-97 version of his theme definitley sounds different than what we're used to so they clearly tinkered with it like it's 2001. Also includes random Austin trash talking in the mix, so that may be a theme going forward... the evolution of the wrestling theme. You know it, I know it, what more can be said about this theme?

Ahmed Johnson, clown shoes and all, gives us his theme. No sir I don't like it.

Sable (f/ Marc Mero I guess) and if we give a Youtube comment any credibility they have claimed this was a late cut from the previous Album. Makes more sense as a bonus track than themes from people 20 years later. A product of it's time... again with the exception of clown shoes they all have something "to" them. Austin talking shit, Taker making no sense and vaguely saying shit... and the cat in the background here. NOT that one. Hope they don't waste a spot for this in future editions...

We get another Bret sighting but it's not his classic. Some dude is singing. If we're still playing Youtube commentary crew... someone said this about the theme...

I NEVER saw Bret Hart come out to this. Not that I liked him anyway but his music was always cool.

First of all how can anyone not like him? Evidently this was only used for montages of him training. Still a reminder of the GOAT should be featured on every comp as far as I'm concerned. Still not a good look for the commentary community.

It's VADER TIME. This is your workout theme when you forget Vince's Best of AC/DC in the car. Beyond his opening call to arms, no mysterious lyrics to be found.

Mankind's first theme is the next track. He opens with a few lines before going to the business. This is not loveable socko Mick, this is 96 boiler room Mankind. This character really had no business being as good as it is. Feels like a slow promo made to piano keys really.

But we're not done with the Mickster yet. Taker and Bret may have set the tone for top guys appearing on every album, but Mrs. Foley's baby boy tops them by not only having 2 on the same disc... but back to back baybay! Dude Love is everyone's guilty pleasure. You played his theme ironically to annoy your friends as you did the knee shuffle. The definition of a joke character and YET and YET(~!) he gave Austin one of his best matches in 98. DUDE LOVE did that. When stalling until the collision with Taker turns into straight gold.

N.O.D. (Nation of Domination) became a meme for black stars congregating backstage and during the Warzone days of PS1 no one took them seriously. Every kid thinks he's the first to call them the Nation of Masturbation. I got nothing. Just pointing out we're heading face first into the era of lyrics bit by bit. Not sure if I like it.

Rocky Maivia before he became the Rock had a theme. He also had god-tier hair at the time. Of this there can be no debate. There does seem to be a trend to this album's stinkers... but I'm not gonna make the conclusion for you.

A remixed version of Sid's is up next. Taker/Shawn/Bret... and SID makes up your main event scene and you couldn't ask for more. Does he have the it factor? He certainly LOOKS like he's from the 90s. He's a weird mix of rubbing elbows with Hogan into the new generation. Gibberish whispering makes it hard to listen for recreation though. What are they even doing with this CD?

YES! Ken Shamrock theme. 90% of why he's a boy is the theme itself. They clearly remixed it a bit later on as I can tell it isn't what I remember from 98-on and any No Mercy replay from the guy.

Flash Funk - can't comment too much so we'll take it to the comment section.

This is a good song to get busy to

 I'll take his word for it we all know wrestling fans don't get laid.

Sunny gets the dreaded "dead divas match" spot right before the main event. Shame she never got the rocket as she's everything Sable is but better. Youtube community not having it though.

I want Ahmed Johnson

Alright then. Suppose he's easier to find than Sunny who you have to search for on inmate dating to locate...

HBK v2 closes us out. A different person is singing it and he sounds neither sexy nor a boy. The fuck dude he sounds like a rapist calling himself sexy. Let's see what the people got to say to this abomination.

Imagine you're an 11-year old kid who loves Shawn Michaels. You can't wait for this CD to come out so you can listen to your favorite wrestler's song. Your mom takes you to the store to buy this CD. You get home, pop it in your CD player, and then you hear this bullshit.

WWF of course been trolling the fans to get their jollies off since day one. Can't even be mad. Go listen to the METAL volume from 95 if that's what you want. I suppose they deserve credit for not really repeating anything. If nothing else the money was worth it since there's no real repeats. And Youtube plays the real HBK theme next. Like ear bleach.

There's 2 bonus tracks for digital release, but it's the same bullshit. Dolph Zigglers? Dude this is from 97 wtf are you even trying to pull here?

Really feels like a step back from the previous album. And this is where they started the "the music" branding too. I ain't here for your artistic experimentation, I just want the long form version of the theme without the commentators and crowd getting in the way.

** - This ain't what I signed up for. Usually the 2nd installment doesn't fall this hard. Part III better be more Civil War and less Godfather.

WWF THE MUSIC: VOLUME 3

Now we're getting into the lived experience category. This bad boy came out at the end of 98, which is actually not further from when I became a diehard wrestling fan. I can't say if I actually owned this CD, but someone I knew did so it got plenty of play... or I assume it did. Definitley have a memory of listening to it at someone's house and the cover is pretty identifiable because of that. Wiki says it was a commercial success hitting top 10 in the billboard 200. I know wrestling was pretty much as hot as it can get when it was released, but that seems like a big deal. Let's get into it and yeah it does the same goofy gimmick of digital bonus tracks for people not involved in the time period. What are you even doing bro?

Oh... there it is PW, the nostalgia is taking over. Taker's GOAT Attitude Era/Ministry theme. Just bury me to this track. It's so good and my preferred version of his entrance. I know people dig his classic funeral parlor, but this one just works for me. I even tried to pass it off as "evil Halloween music" in 9th grade with a friend who didn't like wrestling. I will fight anyone who tells me this isn't at least a contender. I'm not saying top 10, but don't try and say it isn't in the top 100 convo...

Edge up next with his Think You Know Me theme. Bit of a cool down from Taker and while it has grown on me since the time period... back then it was a NEXT TRACK INSTA SKIP for me. Don't got much to add so I'm gonna let a Youtube person do some heavy lifting.

0:44 has to be the best part no doubt

And they're not wrong tbh...

X-Pac gets his 2nd theme in the series, going from generic 123 to arguably one of the better themes in wrestling despite his "heat". Lyrics claim it starts with "make some noise" but I always thought it was saying LETS ROCK (X-Pac!) c'mon it fucking rhymes. Ignoring that it's a great theme imo. Wasted THE TABLE trivia coming up... did you know in the PS1 game WWF Attitude it's only after turning the rating to teen that allows you to access this theme? This was 99 so I assumed the same would work from HHH... nope the timeline didn't factor in My Time just yet...

Dude Love is the first real repeat/rerun so far. Appears to be the same version from the previous set. Except according to wiki they shaved 3 seconds off, which feels fitting for wrestling. Classic song that the production can trick stars with if they demand we hit THEIR music. We'll see about that motherfucker...

That's gotta be... that's gotta be KANE! No matter what you think of the guy (he sucks) you cannot deny that if nothing else his theme was on point. Gave this one some recreational listens in my time.

We get our first Rock theme next and yep this has that wonderful 98 stank to it. The main reason I remember a friend owning the CD is because of this version of the Rock theme. We must've been listening to it as we played some video games and an older kid shut off the boombox saying "the Rock needs to be quiet now" - pure blasphemy but what am I gonna do about it? Apparently know my role and shut my mouth...

GANGREL. Shitty worker? Probably since he was generally slumming it up on Heat. Gimmick that didn't feel like they had a spot for... maybe because they already had Taker. Amazing entrance though that HHH basically stole LOL. The Brood/Gangrel can at least claim they almost got a friend of mine into wrestling. He thought the idea of this vampire was amazing. Shame they couldn't really run with that shit. Just a vampire wrecking shit... oh well. Also hated when his shirt would be covered in blood for his shitty little match... but for a true wrestling theme? It's hard to beat.

The World's Most Dangerous Man, Kenny Shamrock, gets another track spot but I think they remixed the theme here. Sounds much better and closer to what I remember than what was on volume 2. Impossible to listen to this without getting in the zone. Neo Zeed knows what I'm talking about.

The Oddities... this is a personal favorite of mine and it and it alone is enough to give ICP/Juggalo culture a pass. Faygo being a great sodie alternative doesn't hurt either. According to wiki the stable won 2 year end awards this year for bad things... I wanna know who won best theme because this is a contender. If you don't like it, well yo mama got a beard. What's up?

Are You Ready? I can't tell you how many times I listened to the DX theme on repeat, likely from the mp3 days rather than this CD since I don't think I owned it.

Sable came back for seconds. Makes sense as 98 she was really hot as a star so I don't fault them for releasing it again on an album with more eyes on it. Got nothing else as it sounds like it might be the exact same song so we'll let Youtube wrap this track up.

I’ll never forget Shawn Michaels coming out to the live version of DX entrance song at wrestlemania vs stone cold. Shit was so hard

Not sure what it has to do with Sable's theme but we'll allow it as they clearly enjoyed the performance.

If your ass calls somebody but the next track is their ring tone... it's gotta be the Outlaws. DX really did have some of the best theme songs all around. I'm sure the Kliq's influence had zero to do with that. Theme is great as it's just building up for some upcoming class participation. This album really gives a great snapshot to what 98 WWF meant. Just missing a key person really.

Hello Ladies, it's Val Venis. WWE's best attempt at their own version of the brown chicken brown cow porno music. It's whatever. I liked Val a bit. He was never a contender to be a boy(tm) but he had potential.

Closes out with the only way it can with Stone Cold. This theme is remixed from the previous entry a little as it removed all the lines throughout to become his most recognizable version. Praise the Jim Johnston for doing the lord's work.

****1/2 - Damn near perfect imo. Honestly while they released a few tracks from "2", that was sort of a dud experimental deal so I'm fine with it. Plus it makes sense to remaster things accurately for the growing fanbase. Other than Sable (and that's a personal take) and maybe Edge's goofy theme... all the remaining tracks are "bangers" and none I would consider skipping in general. I'm gonna say it, this album did a lot of convincing me that wrestling was cool.

I got Vol. 2 and Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar for my birthday 1998. It was like $50 for just those 2 CDs, they didn’t sell stuff like that at Wal Mart had to go to the mall where it was expensive.

Also has vol 3 so this thread is hitting the spot for certain. Love it 😍 Also just seen all these on Amazon

Also remember an oddball cheaper wrestling theme CD I bought it had like a mock animation of Goldberg on the cover and sounded like it was recorded in somebody’s living room on a wal mart keyboard, such an oddball cd in and of itself. Probably came out 98 or 99.

Got to show love to ECW cassette tape I got in Summer 99, that is the one that still hits the spot for me one of my favorite albums.

Always thought it was very funny that the main industrial sounding guitar riff in Gangrel's gnarly theme was so clearly ripped off from a Janet Jackson song called If. 

Goldust and Gangrel had some of the best themes in all of wrestling

Loved how Gangrels character was copyrighted I guess so they always had to credit white wolf or whoever in the credits.

Just get rid of em...

What are your thoughts on The X-Factor theme, @ness?

Jan 22, 2024 17:48:19 GMT Ed said:

What are your thoughts on The X-Factor theme, @ness?

It gets all the dimes.

Jan 22, 2024 10:17:31 GMT Kilgore said:

Always thought it was very funny that the main industrial sounding guitar riff in Gangrel's gnarly theme was so clearly ripped off from a Janet Jackson song called If. 

Confirmed.

Jan 22, 2024 17:48:19 GMT Ed said:

What are your thoughts on The X-Factor theme, @ness ?

Litmus test. @ness passed.
=============
Loving this thread. But it also makes me feel like a mark because I didn't have the first two albums Ness reviewed AND I wasn't a WWF Fan Club member like Kilgore. And to think I called myself a WWF fan...smh over what a poser I was.

In fairness to myself, I didn't really start buying music until 2000. And for you download people, I never messed with that stuff because it would break the family computer and then I'd be in a real pickle. Either that or the feds would come breaking down the door. Point is it was a lose/lose scenario.

My much younger cousin (who was far hipper than me) had the ECW cd Neo Zeed mentioned. Wasn't a fan. It was like an embryonic version of watching ECW on the 'Cock. Get outta here with that off brand Enter Sandman & Big Balls crap. Only now am I discovering this album was almost certainly my introduction to Bruce Dickinson & Lemmy. So that's interesting if nothing else.

Anyway, keep 'em coming Ness. Oh, and I was actually indifferent or worse to With My Baby Tonight until the 2010s. Now I love it. And, yeah, Ministry Taker was the best theme he had.

WWF THE MUSIC: VOLUME 4

So it would seem they had some albums that predated the METAL one from the New Generation. We'll touch on those, trust. This bad boy came out a year after the last one, which seems to be a trend. Don't know if it remains constant, but they're sure churning them out on the regular. This and another one that will be reviewed down the line made up the "monkeys in the truck" as far as my backyard days were concerned. If it wasn't on one of these CDs, it was simply not used. I didn't have one of those crazy disc changing boom boxes afterall.

We start with Chris Jericho's classic theme and this is how you open an album. Say what you want about the man these days, but he's in the conversation for greatest entrance/theme. I was also under the assumption that homeboy sings the song. I don't think it's true, but with his Fozzy side project I just figured it made sense. AGONY OF DEFEAT!

Up next is a theme everyone is familiar with for the Big Show, titled a little outside the box as "Big". While the sound of "wellllllllllllllll" can be a bit of a groan/channel changer for a good chunk of his career... it's kind of a guilty pleasure of mine. So far in this comp we're noticing a big change in direction because at face value these all feel like "real" songs, similar to what ECW was doing only these were made in house. Again praise to Double J (not that one). We'll call him J-Double.

Vince and the Corporation is also ANOTHER amazing theme. That opening riff is unmistakable to any long time Raw fan. Amazing it all came from the build to the Rumble with Austin. Something to ponder. Vince is often cited as the best heel of all time. Take away this song... is that being uttered by us mouth breathers? It did a lot of the work no doubt.

Mark Henry has a track because WWF paid like a million billion dollars for the dude in like 96, fuck if they ain't getting their money's worth. Every kid who played this album when this track hit:

...

Moving on. Okay time for some ear bleach featuring one the BOYS... TEST!!! Youtube of course bringing the goods?

Test was a more athletic Kevin Nash, R.I.P.

What do they have in common besides the big boot and long locks that are a crime to cut? Anyways I'd vote for any politician who championed this theme playing in the background for ALL testing situations. Even for paternity.

Now we're treated to the loveable Mankind theme, cheap pops and all. Blatantly stole the opening car crash from Razor. 

The Rock an' sock connection was the Best Duel in WWF History. CHANGE MY MIND. You CANT.

with a reply...

I just did. Brothers of Destruction.

Dude couldn't have been more wrong if he tried. The fact that he even typed BOD as a serious statement disqualifies him.

Stone Cold comes in next but it's not a rerelease of his classic even if it would be fine... nope a custom theme from some band. Can't say the I disliked it. I even have the main chorus in my memory banks... but that's about it. I assumed it was on another album though. Also Youtube bringing the goods...

its 3:16 long....

Well done.

D'LO BROWN! Yes, now this is what we're here for. D'lo was def a potential Boys(tm) contender. Sign me up for a fan fic that straps the rocket to this guy. I slightly disagree with Kurt... when it comes to the Eurocontinental Championship D'Lo totally counts. And yeah I always used his version when going froggy in my backyard days.

We get a generic rock theme for Christian, probably not used very often at the time unless he was having a singles match on a b-show like Jakked or METAL. I'm a big fan of his later music including his one from TNA which is a blatant rip off of another song. Gangrel with Janet... Jericho had an Evenflow instrumental in wCw I believe... why create when you can recreate?

Bit of a dud there even if preferred over Sexual Chocolate. But they redeem themselves with the legendary ASS MAN for Billy Gunn. Let's consult the commentary for the song...

best song ever made

Not sure I'd go that far, but I wouldn't argue anyone's stance if they said so.

Taker the ever present ain't going anywhere treats us with yet another version of his theme. A little bit of a remix of the last version with him chanting gibberish in the background. Unlike volume 2 it actually works. It feels more like a stable leader song whereas volume 3 feels like a singles main event run theme. Still good. So very good and I wouldn't hate you if you liked this version slightly more than the other. Taker is another guy who just had good themes. And yeah ESPECIALLY during his ABA days. And I'm not just talking about Nu Metal stank of the Bizkit and Kid Rock either.

And yeah I'm ashamed to admit it... but I thought HHH (and Chyna... and Steph... and Aurora Rose?) coming out to My Time was the coolest shit ever and used it as my entrance theme for backyarding like an absolute GEEK. Including the water spit and hopping onto the blue trampoline cover like an apron. Much like X-Pac's lyrics I refuse to believe it opens with "1-2 this on?". As good as his other themes got under Motorhead, I'm not sure they ever surpassed this one. Big fan of his instrumental version that predated it. Higher Brain Pattern?

Edge with a repeat, so I got a feeling we're starting to know him despite what the song claims. I can't say for sure if it's the exact same as the other or if they remixed it a little. I'll take it over Christian and Mark Henry.

We close out with a Rock theme, feels like it's his main babyface theme from 99-01. Just feels like it's the tail end of a 2000 PPV hearing it. Either he got the 123 or he sent the fan's home happy People's Elbowing some jabroni. What makes it especially great is the Rock says he's gonna stick the CD up your candy ass. Reminded me of HHH doing his babyface promo pre-game and calling whoever was playing the game (heeeeeeeeeeeh) some fat ass guy sitting on his couch.

****1/2 - I can't decide if it's better than the other so we'll just rate them the same. Don't like the Edge rerun, but it feels like it belongs on this CD more than the other. There's bound to always be a dud (Mark Henry... shut up it's a skipper) but there's so much good shit. I'm changing my mind.

****3/4 - Okay that's the final. I mean look at it... Jericho, Vince, ASS MAN, My Time, Good Taker Remix... so many hits here. Here's how you know you got a good woman. If she says put on some music to set the mood and I insist you pop this bad boy in. She's either gonna respond one of 2 ways:

or

It's the ultimate TEST(~!!!) of your relationship and if she's worthy of you fam.

3/4 are way better than 1/2... I don't know if it's because I lived through them or if they just were on fire with music at the time.

So many gems in these reviews. Love the inclusion of Youtube comments.

4 was the first one I owned and you KNOW I played the hell out of it. Ministry Taker, Corporate Vince, Assman, My Time. Whole lotta classics. I was such a huge fan of My Time that I remember being pissed when he dropped it for The Game. Then about two weeks later I'm like "HELL YEAH to this new HHH theme! Might be even better than My Time!" HHHow'd he always get great themes?

Jan 20, 2024 18:54:35 GMT @ness said:

let the replay loop over and over in No Mercy just to continue hearing the music.
2. Also isn't it crazy how freely they play the Hardyz and Seth Rollins themes on the radio? 

Did this with Steel Cage on the NES and Royal Rumble on the Genesis. Yes, I'm old.

Person: Why would anyone be a Nikki Cross fan?

Me: *pulls up Billy Gunn "Assman" theme*

This is why!

WWF THE MUSIC: VOLUME 5

Should note I wanted to go in complete chronological order from where we started, but they aren't really consistent with the "the music" series... picking and choosing when it's time to use the term. Very on brand for pro wrestling. So I might skip around depending on how long interest remains in this. Like volume 4 I have memories of owning this and it was used heavily for the backyard fed. For some reason I associate this album with a Ness Mom memory (last seen sporting that Macho/Warrior bootleg Walmart shirt seen here). See she knew both my brother and me wanted it because duh we were wrestling fans... so she used big brain activity and bought us each a copy because she knew the deal. I said "some reason" because it may have been volume 4 since the timelines don't align. Vol 4 came out in November 99 and this one February 01 right before X7. In terms of X-Mas gifts there's just NO WAY I would've not bought it myself in a whole year so the dual CD must've been vol 4. Unless it was an Easter gift? I dunno still wanted to put the Mams over for her role as a supporting character in my wrestling fan story.

We start with arguably the selling point of this album (sorry Rock... least you got the cover) the release of THE GAME by Motorhead. Here's a take. I love all their theme songs and enjoy Ace of Spades quite a bit... but beyond that I haven't cared much for them. Just can't get into their music beyond that. Sometimes I feel like their logo (t-shirt sales) is a lot of their appeal. Also back to Mom... she HATED whenever he was on WWE screen because of his boil or whatever it was. Forget X-Pac, to the matriarch of the Ness household it was Lemmy Heat. The actual theme... you know what it is by now. If you watched PPVs regularly you certainly heard it enough... but yeah nobody's on the fence with Motorhead WWE (really HHH) themes.

K-Kwik (before R Truth) Rowdy song is next. I really no sold their whole deal at the time. Sometimes you forget how long Truth has been around. He really made taking over the JTG spot worthwhile. Like he actually deserves his spot. He said HOLLERIN SUFFERIN SUCCOTASH... fucking Roman wasn't reciting a line he was quoting R-Truth! A relisten it's actually not bad, just not my cup of tea and it's placement in one of 2 dead spots has me suspicious. Like early 2000s HHH politician in the IWC conspiracy. !!!

I'm pretty sure it's in the same vein as Gangrel and the like, but Tazz's theme is pretty great right? The beeping at the start and just in tune to how he walked out. Just for the record I think it's silly how people hated the extra z, but I'll be lying if I say I don't purposely spell it out normally as just Taz to get a pop from people with that mindset. This is peak No Mercy replay for an hour... Dudleys and Hardys theme are also up there.

Dude Lita was cool. Feels like she was really becoming a star in 2001 until Chyna said nope and then she got hurt. Her theme might actually be better @ just a 10-20 second loop. The whispering I can do without.

Kane returns and I think it is technically a remixed version, but I'm not autistic enough to wanna compare the two different tracks. It's gotta be (Kane) 95% the same though. It's good. I can't think of the time period right now so I'm not sure if his inclusion stole someone's spot. For that it's a reminder that Kane absolutely sucks.

That's also why I spell it as EDDY Guerrero because I'm trying to mark out for the .01%. I do think Eddie is underappreciated in this regard. It feels unmistakeable as a theme. Dude's got a good run of theme music. What did he have in wCw? Someone needs to look into guys who just had all hits for theme songs.

I know I'm not alone in this... not only does ASS MAN rule, but so does his theme for THE ONE BILLY GUNN. Now we're starting to unlock the inner workings of what makes them part of the boys (tm) stable. A decent look for the time, a few cool moves and a great theme... yep that's my boy. Actually for serious I'm starting to think I only liked some guys BECAUSE of the theme.

Back when theme songs where great, now the are generic as f'ck

So much wisdom in the comment section.

Get the token generic rock (The Christian Category) with Raven. The caw caws are all I remember before hitting play.

I don't go back too often and most of my listens to this song were when I was regularly listening to this CD... but Chyna can get it. In between not hating and sorta liking it.

I know (or just took it as fact whenever it gets brought up) it's not original to Kurt (The Patriot used it?) but Medal is very METAL. Kurt really is the total package and his theme is a necessary component of that. You don't got a theme like that and you can't be a star. Did peeps lobby with J Double to get the good stuff?

This is just Ness admits he's bad people THE THREAD. I love Bad Man for Big Keesh. Dude I was hyped for Austin's return. I had to work for whatever PPV (No Mercy?) Austin was gonna face Rikishi so I had to watch it on tape. I don't care if I'm the only one. It's good shit pal. Could it be a cult classic without me ever knowing?

Benoit's instrumental theme. Another No Mercy classic. Thanks a lot for making it shameful to listen to asshole.

Too Cool's has me thinking I grew to like some of these based on this CD. Like I wouldn't have heard these but a fraction of the time if not for this album. I feel like that's gotta be why I have memories of this song and all the little sound effects.

Then you get Pie. First time in a long time hearing it. It's whatever. I think it gets grandfathered in just for the time period.

**** - The Game as a song deserves it's own thread. Feels like it reflects on the business pretty well. It gets more than a passing grade but we're clearly falling off a smidge. I think this is where it peaked for me. So my attachment to the music might be more than others. Haven't listened to all these songs together like this in a while. I hold vol 3, 4 and 5 in high regards. Like if you wanna know how much of a BUBBLE Ness lives in... System is counting down his favorite albums. I'm not saying this one's on there... but it's probably a late cut if I was doing a similar deal. Like yeah I might waste one of my desert island picks for wwf the music :$

I'm not sure what this thread is at this point other than long rambly "hey who else liked this?"

While Napster just barely existed when Volume 4 dropped, by Volume 5 we were fully in a post-Napster world. Volume 5 has to be the last hurrah of the ere of quirky specialty CDs.

It took me a while to even think to look up wrestling themes with the other music on limewire.

Volume 5 got a lot of play in the Bakermobile with The Game predictably getting the most play of all. Though much to Kilgore's consternation I'm even worse than @ness when it comes to never getting into Motorhead beyond their WWF stuff. Tazzz's theme is much, much better than his WWF career. And yes I threw in the extra z for Ness. To piggyback on something he wrote, Billy Gunn was only a step or two behind Trips when it came to getting consistently good themes. There is a little more filler here so I'll also agree with Ness on 4 > 5. 

"So many asses, so little time" is the pinnacle of all music.

The yearn of the vocal delivering that line captures the existential nature and ultimate mortality of the human experience in a way that can never be surpassed.

There simply can never be enough time to love, kick, shove, stick, flaunt, watch, pick, and yet again kick all the asses.

Buns of GLORY Buns of STEEL

That's why the girls all walk behind me down the street

I'm an assman! (Whatchu want?)

Dude was singing assman to myself at work all day.

Remember downloading Ass Man while hanging with a friend and him losing it at "The best surprises always sneak up from behind."

Most novelty theme songs annoy me (not a fan of HBK's theme, for example), but Ass Man is a masterpiece of the genre, maybe the definitive masterpiece.

Concur with everything you guys wrote about Assman. What a tune!

Had Too Marvelous For Words from Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers stuck in my head for days after a Sports Illustrated post last week, I have since moved on to I've Got It All. It's not Assman (what is?) but still an upgrade. More Fun With Youtube comments. Top comment...

"I fully believe that this song could've worked for every 90's sitcom introduction."

More concurring. Perfect for TGIF in particular.

Jan 23, 2024 17:22:02 GMT Leper Messiah said:

Person: Why would anyone be a Nikki Cross fan?

Me: *pulls up Billy Gunn's "Assman" theme*

This is why!

I was at my friend's house when I sang the lyrics to the Assman theme. His brother scolded me for it. They were friends from church who were deeply spiritual. I was being a 16-year-old pissant.

WWF THE MUSIC: VOLUME 6

WWF FORCEABLE ENTRY

As Kilgore pointed out, by time we hit the Pie album the novelty of a wrestling CD was losting it's luster. Mp3s, especially for the demo, were all the rage thanks to the internet AND probably more importantly... the business was cooling down and that was evident in my case. After X8 my family had moved on and we weren't even getting the PPVs anymore, I think I did still pay attention to PPV results but 02 was mostly ignored on my end. I've since seen all the good/important shit... it wasn't until late 02 into XIX that I got back into things. Vol 5 was the last one I owned and probably one of the last actual albums I did own. In fact if it wasn't for my wrestling fandom the last album purchased likely would've happened a lot sooner.

Going forward it's gonna be less about the actual CDs/sets and more about talking about said group of songs. Also how many dimes would you fork over if there was no "the music" series and you turn on the tv @ 2 am on a Saturday and see Time Life advertising the best of wrestling. It would get ALL of them. Just gonna preface this, although anyone at all familiar with Ness Lore should already know the deal. Wrestling played a HUGE role in shaping the type of tunes I would listen to. Would nu metal have achieved it's heights without DIS BUSINESS?

First song is one that I can say I've done quite a bit of listening to. Not say as much as Ass Man or The Game... but it's an upper midcarder and I'm of course talking about Drowning Pool's version of The Game, I believe used as his entrance (or at least the opening montage) for X8. Can't recall if he used it afterwards as I was not really a "fan" at the time... but I also know they tend to force the issue when promoting things like this album. In terms of bands I think Drowning Pool deserves a spot alongside Saliva for their wrestling contributions. It's pure Ness Bait.

I feel like I should like KING KID Rock version of Legs for Stacy Keibler, but I just don't. There's a Creed song for a PPV, and while I liked Creed... gonna skip it as this is more about wrestling entrance songs. Though I will say the opening of it does feel like it's trying to make a claim for the Christian Award. That has many meaning, but I meant the generic butt rock spot in the album.

An .mp3 staple for me and that is the Disturbed song for Stone Cold, his 2001 main theme when they weren't trying to reinvent the wheel. Was it just me or did they try and remix that thing every other PPV? Can't make out the lyrics but I know it's good. Also a post from 5 MONTHS ago...

Can’t believe David drahmain did stone colds opener

Dude what? I feel like their association with Stone Cold and wrestling in general helped them do huge numbers. What a jabroni mark.

ROLLIN'

The song still SLAPS as the kids say.

Unfortunately due to Sabu Heart Breaker we can't really listen to this song anymore. Really enjoyed Whatever for Benoit but I don't think it makes for a good entrance theme. It isn't the only one who is guilty of this, but I noticed it a lot when watching. If the song takes a minute to *start* and that's when you're in the ring... yeah that doesn't work for me brother. At the time I always thought it would make a decent theme for HBK's second run when he started with the Jesus Prayer. Looks like this is the time period for rock songs as entrances rather than just musak.

Next we're treated to Edge's Rob Zombie theme, basically his first real push as a serious singles guy. I like the song, but I think the version used on Smackdown is a lot better than the one for the album. I just don't like the weird part outside of the main singing.

RVD has One of a Kind and does he still use it for his WWE appearances? I figure probably. I did enjoy his initial instrumental. Not a wide selection but this, the one I just mentioned and WALK is a pretty good track record.

Features Manson's Beautiful People for Smackdown... I believe as a replacement for Drowning Pool's Bodies? I think they stopped using that bad boy because of 9/11. The actual song is/was great before it became overplayed. I know at least one person who used it on the indies and I'm sure a billion other indy scrubs used it as well. They got rid of Thorn in the Your Eye for Across the Nation and ya know what? I don't hate it. It really fit for a time period and spawned a bunch of other butt rock for their music... including AC/DC decades past relevancy. Gotta love Vince, though Highway to Hell just worked on so many levels. And Balls Mahoney used one of theirs. I'll give them a pass for being part of rasslin' history.

We get a Chris Jericho remix by Sevendust. No clue if he used it as an entrance, someone else will have to confirm. I don't really like it.

Saliva in with a Dudley Boyz theme. Now I'm disappointed we didn't get their regular theme for volume 5. I get this is "real" music, but I'd rather have their fake pro wrestling theme. They did get a better one later I think. Powerman 5000?

Disappointment takes a backseat for Monster Magnet singing for V1 Matt Hardy! This was the year of MM for me as I also "discovered" them through Mitch Hedberg. I never went to see their other work, so I'm gonna assume they're like Motorhead... don't waste your time. Always loved hearing it. Oh YEAH! Wiki says it's for Matt and in execution that's true. Youtube claims it's for the Hardyz. WWE sure loved the Z's didn't they Baker ?

New Raven theme... dude better not ever try and claim he didn't have a solid WWE career. When he debuted having no clue who he was I was convinced he was gonna be a big deal. I was a mark. Pass.

We get a PPV theme for KOTR. Not a theme and honestly @ 19 tracks I kinda wish they just cut it and the other PPV theme since the other CDs weren't as heavy in tracks. Should note this song got more (3) comments than Raven's (0) video...

Tazz gets a remix, but his wasn't broken... somewhere in the song mock commentary of him tapping someone. It couldn't have been ripped from Raw that's for sure.

No Chance follows suit, does it need a remix too? Meh.

I am in love with this song 🎵 ,it contains some amazing force behind it ,even the instrument vibrational force 💪.

Someone likes it though.

Lita gets a song with words and at the time I really enjoyed it. As the song plays, yeah I still like it for some reason. Weird for WWE (though I guess it's still WWF, barely) to have an entrance theme with either a lightly spoken f-bomb or censored which seems more work than it's worth. It's a Ness approved song.

Kane (just your daily reminder that the dude basically sucks) up with Slow Chemical for his humanized character going forward. Like I mentioned with Benoit it's a really great song (imo) but BUTTTTTTTTT it's not a good entrance simply for the fact that it only gets going once he's in the ring. They do make up for it on his exit, playing it right from the hook. Why not just start there? Because they wanted that classic Kane sound at the start. Kane, one of those guys that is only over for the music.

***1/2 - For this batch of songs to rate as a group... it fits a lot of what I like to hear and I'd be lying if I said a lot of these weren't in my music folder on the family Windows ME Edition PC. I'd say about half of the songs on here I plan to hopefully hear again before I die. The unnecessary remixes can go away though. It be like that though, 2 weeks later never heard from again. If you liked this type of music, and for the time period much like wrestling it was starting to wear out it's welcome, you probably agree with me. Still I'll probably just seek out individual songs rather than come back to the playlist.

He's on my mind currently.

Owen Hart's themes, there's something HERE. High Energy just has that 80s/90s wrestling show intro STANK to it. Especially his final one. Inventor of the sharpshooter. Theme songs aren't a HOF category why? TELL ME WHY?

And OF COURSE (I'm laughing my ass off tbh) searching "owen hart theme" on youtube just HAS to recommend some fake leaked footage of the "fall" when I'm just trying to listen to the DOOOT DOOOT DOAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN part. Classic internet. 7 seconds under a million views from years ago. I'm sure it's legit will report later.

Forceable Entry is another one that got a lot of play in the Bakermobile. A few skippables here, but the ones I liked got played and over and over. Shout out to my friend Bryan who cruised into work 5 days a week for months blaring Raven's FE theme at maximum volume. You could hear him coming from afar. Work entrance music! Just one more reason why we were the coolest kids in town.

Yes early 20s me was DEFINITELY blasting Hollywood Rock theme at max blast coming in to work or going anywhere. Dad and brother "caught" me when I forgot to change it from cd to radio when I got home. They take the car and all of a sudden at max volume they hear ... "is cooooooooooooooooookin'" So they told me at the time. I'm not sure if they thought it was funny or it was a half assed intervention.

Autoplay jsut gave me OH YES a theme from the ABA days.

A cheap shot

finish last... BAD ASSES always kicking ASS

Somehow it suggests ass is the key.