Entrances are part of the magic that is professional wrestling, and today we dive into the top 30 greatest ring entrances of all time.
Have you ever groaned when your favorite pro wrestling program has returned from commercial break and your favorite wrestler is already standing in the ring? We bet you have because that means you didn’t get to see their entrance prior to the match.
Ring entrances in professional wrestling are part of the magical package that makes it all work. From the music to the crowd reaction, to the way it just makes you feel when you see it. You know that you’re watching something special.
There are so many great ring entrances in the history of professional wrestling but today we cutting it down to the top 30. We are sure this list will definitely be up for debate and we apologize ahead of time if your favorite wrestler didn’t make the cut.
Without further ado, let’s kick things off at No. 30.
30. “The Animal” Dave Batista
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE Vengeance 2005
Date: June 26, 2005
Venue: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
Theme Used: “I Walk Alone” by Saliva
Starting off the list at No. 30 is the man who just retired at WrestleMania 35, the Animal himself, Dave Batista. From humble beginnings as D-Von Dudley’s Deacon, it would have been hard to fathom at the time that Drax the Destroyer (of Marvel Studios fame) would end up rocking one of the greatest wrestling entrances of all time.
Whether it on an episode of Monday Night Raw or SmackDown, a random pay per view, or on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania, Batista never disappointed the WWE Universe when it was time for him to make his way to the ring.
All of Batista’s entrances (once breaking away from Evolution) always screamed epic. From the sounds of Saliva’s “I Walk Alone” to the loud fireworks machine gun taunt to even later on in his career when he came out to the ring with just a single spotlight on him: Everything about his entrance was great.
Even though he’s retired we are certain to remember the entrance of Batista for many years to come.
29. Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP)
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania 23
Date: April 1, 2007
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Theme Used: “I’m Comin” by Silkk the Shocker
One of the most underrated superstars in WWE history makes our list at No. 29, MVP. This man’s entrance was must-see from the first time he stepped foot into a WWE ring. Touted by the WWE as one of the biggest free-agent signings in the history of the company, the wrestler who was known as “half man, half amazing” got an entrance worthy of being given what was, at the time, the largest contract in the history of the SmackDown brand.
Coming out of the entrance way through an inflatable tunnel that looked a lot like something that would be used for your favorite sports teams to the tune of “I’m Comin” by Silkk the Shocker, MVP had the WWE Universe standing on their feet from the second he emerged as pyro went off from two large towers positioned on opposite sides of the tunnel. It was certainly a sight to behold.
Later in his WWE tenure, his entrance was unfortunately scaled back but it won’t change how great his entrances were earlier in his career. After departing WWE, MVP heavily invested in his own entrances in New Japan Pro Wrestling as well as IMPACT Wrestling where he went into the studio and recorded his own trackm entitled “Return of the Ronin,” for his debut in the company. That entrance theme could easily be argued as the best of MVP’s career.
The last time we saw MVP on the national stage was teaming with Kenny King in Ring of Honor earlier this year. When’s the next time we see this baller pop up again? Only time will tell.
28. Kane
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE Badd Blood: In Your House
Date: October 5, 1997
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Theme Used: “Burned” by Jim Johnston
Coming in at No. 28, it’s the younger brother of the Undertaker, The Big Red Machine himself. In the words of the great Jim Ross, “that’s gotta be … THAT’S GOTTA BE KANE!”
Kane debuted his entrance with the WWE in the biggest way possible, alongside Paul Bearer and interfering in the first ever Hell in a Cell match between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker at WWE Badd Blood: In Your House in October of 1997, costing Undertaker the victory in the process and helping the Heartbreak Kid win the match.
His entrances throughout the years in WWE only seemed to get better as his character evolved and changed his looks. Although he had many variations of his entrance theme over the years, one of the most memorable came from the WWE Forceable Entry soundtrack. A rock version of his theme with words, titled “Slow Chemical” from Finger Eleven. This is arguably the most popular theme from his entire run with the company.
Whether it was the lights, the music, the heat from his fiery pyro or just the way the overall entrance made you feel, you certainly remember every time the Big Red Machine made his way towards the ring in the Attitude Era and beyond. Whether we have seen that entrance for the last time is uncertain.
27. Bobby Roode
Greatest entrance:
Event: NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II
Date: August 20, 2016
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Theme Used: “Glorious Domination” by CFO$
Coming in at the 27 spot is a man who’s entrance theme is absolutely glorious. We are talking about none other than former NXT Champion Bobby Roode. While the man had some great entrances in IMPACT Wrestling earlier on in his career (Beer Money almost made this list) he didn’t quite reach top-30 status until truly finding himself in the black and gold brand of NXT.
Roode came into NXT and made an immediate impact (no pun intended) wrestling his first televised match for the brand on TakeOver: Brooklyn II, giving the entire pro wrestling world a taste of just what to expect from the Glorious One under the WWE Umbrella.
There is no question that Roode had some of the greatest and most memorable entrances in the history of NXT TakeOver, with arguably the most popular entrance theme to ever come out of NXT, “Glorious Domination.” Many thought Roode would be destined for greatness once he was called up to the main roster in August of 2017.
For some reason, however, despite having a run with the United States and Raw Tag Team Championships, Roode has not found the same success on the main roster that he once did in NXT. Roode’s entrance, however, remains as glorious as ever, even being immortalized in a Snickers commercial earlier this year, so we think he’s doing okay.
26. CM Punk
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE Survivor Series 2011
Date: November 20, 2011
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Theme Used: “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour
The man coming in at the 26 spot is without a shadow of a doubt of the most influential professional wrestlers of the last 20 years. That is none other than the best in the world himself, CM Punk (sorry Shane-O-Mac you’re not even close, nor is your entrance).
The Straight Edge Superstar made a name for himself in Ring of Honor, using a theme that he would later use years later in the WWE, “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour. This makes Punk one of the few wrestlers in the history of this business to be able to use the same entrance theme across multiple wrestling companies. This is an accomplishment that is no small feat in the business of professional wrestling.
Prior to using “Cult of Personality” in WWE, Punk had another licensed theme from the band Killswitch Engage entitled “This Fire Burns,” a theme that was used once (and only once) as a test run for Randy Orton before being given to Punk. All things considered, we think everything turned out for the best.
Punk boasted entrance that always brought the crowd to their feet in anticipation of seeing one of the best wrestlers of this generation, to the point where people still chant his name to this day to voice their displeasure of the current WWE product. One could be certain in 2019 if “Cult of Personality” hit the arena speakers again for a wrestling company in North America it would be one of the greatest moments in the history of this sport.
25. Velveteen Dream
Greatest entrance:
Event: NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
Date: June 16, 2018
Venue: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
Theme Used: “Velveteen” by CFO$
The youngest professional wrestler on our list checks in at No. 25, and by the time his career is over who knows how high he will end up placing. We’re talking about the current NXT North American Champion, the Velveteen Dream.
No one could have guessed that back in June of 2015 when the WWE Universe first saw the Dream, who was going by his real name Patrick Clark on the reality show Tough Enough, would make the list of one of the greatest entrances of all time. But the Dream has accomplished that goal and he’s still climbing.
The Dream describes his entire character as an experience, and his entrance is no exception. Coming out to the tune of “Velveteen” by CFO$ (who makes a majority of WWE music you listen to and may or may not enjoy today) he never hesitates to go out of his way to make his entrance as memorable as possible.
NXT Takeover is where the Dream’s entrances have shined the brightest, from the props he uses to his gear ranging from tributes to the Immortal Hulk Hogan all the way to a message for the Chairman of WWE Vince McMahon himself asking the boss to “Call him up”. There is nothing the Dream won’t do to make sure you remember his entrances for many years to come.
24. Aleister Black
Greatest entrance:
Event: NXT TakeOver: Orlando
Date: April 1, 2017
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Theme Used: “Root of All Evil” by CFO$ feat. Incendiary
Number 24 is quite a unique individual. There hasn’t been a man to come along since the Undertaker to make an impact with their entrance quite like Aleister Black. While some people might want to dub Black “the new Undertaker” he really is his own rare breed of a professional wrestler. A new type of wrestler for a new era of this industry.
His entrance is no exception. It absolutely stands out. It makes you stop what you’re doing and take notice. Black debuted this entrance back in 2016 at NXT Takeover: Orlando against Andrade “Cien” Almas and it immediately caught the attention of the WWE Universe and they haven’t stopped paying attention since.
His music, “Root of all Evil,” was once performed live for him by Code Orange and Incendiary. Something cool to note about his entrance theme is that he himself had a hand in helping to write the lyrics. Helping to shape what you come to the ring with, something you truly believe in, goes a long way in helping the character come through during his entrance.
Black has recently been called up to the main roster of WWE and for the most part, his entrance has stayed perfectly intact except for some weird haunted house-type noises when he rises up on the ramp at the beginning of his entrance. Those sound effects were not present in his final NXT appearance at TakeOver: New York so hopefully, if we’re lucky they’ll go away on the main roster sooner rather than later.
23. Shinsuke Nakamura
Greatest entrance:
Event: NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II
Date: August 20, 2016
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Theme Used: “The Rising Sun” by CFO$ feat. Lee England Jr.
Coming in at No. 23 is someone most would call one of the most criminally underused WWE Superstars of the last five years, “The King of Strong Style” Shinsuke Nakamura. The man oozes charisma and his entrances could be an event unto themselves, works of pure art and entertainment. There are few in this business that can capture the crowd’s attention during an entrance like Nakamura.
Nakamura took inspiration from several pop culture icons to develop his own unique personal style. Some of those names include Michael Jackson, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. Mixing those styles along with his wrestling idol Jushin “Thunder” Liger and we have the King of Strong Style we all know and love today.
The former two-time NXT Champion had many epic entrances in the black and gold brand throughout the course of his run there, including one with violinist Lee England Jr. playing him out at TakeOver: Brooklyn II. During his face run his entrance theme, “The Rising Sun,” was so catchy that not only would the fans hum along with it during his entrance, they would continue to do so after the match was officially underway. It was truly a special theme for a very special entrance.
Nowadays, WWE has turned Nakamura heel and have altered his music to “Shadows of a Setting Sun,” performed by Shadows of the Sun. This entrance theme has words and while it is similar to his original theme it makes it a lot harder for the fans to get into it. It’s a real shame as Nakamura deserves a lot more than what WWE is giving him right now. Hopefully, in time the world can find out once again what an “All Elite” talent this man is.
22. “The Villain” Marty Scurll
Greatest entrance:
Event: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
Date: January 4, 2018
Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Theme Used: “One True Villain” by HotTag Media
At No. 22 we have the only surviving member of the Elite still in Ring of Honor, “The Villain” Marty Scurll. Easily having one of the best entrances outside WWE right now, Scurll certainly knows how to get the crowd on their feet anytime he works a show.
Without the Elite in ROH, Scurll has found himself a new faction that he has created in Villain Enterprises with Brody King and PCO. They currently all hold the Ring of Honor Six Man Tag Team Titles so the group has been a success so far in their run in 2019.
Scurll’s unique entrance gear, often including a jacket, bird mask and umbrella certainly help him stand out above anyone else on an ROH or New Japan broadcast. The Villain even sported a pair of wings at Wrestle Kingdom a few years back, taking his entrance to yet another level of awesome.
His entrance music “One True Villain,” which is performed by HotTag Media, is a very dark and unique track with no vocals other than the occasional “whoop-whoop” that has become very famous in “too sweet” chants across the entire professional wrestling industry. So much so, that Triple H had to go on record about how much he hated it at the Hall of Fame. Surely the Villain does not share The Game’s sentiment.
21. “The Icon” Sting
Greatest entrance:
Event: WCW Starrcade 1997
Date: December 28, 1997
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Theme Used: “Crow” by WCW and Jimmy Hart
The Icon of World Championship Wrestling comes in at No. 21 on our list: The man they call Sting, one of the legends of this business and one who has also seen several iterations of his entrance over his illustrious 30-year career.
Whether he was sporting the blonde flat top and colorful face paint coming out to “Man Called Sting” or sporting long black hair with Crow-like face paint rocking a trench coat and baseball bat to the theme entitled “Crow,” written by WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart. The Icon of WCW always captured the imagination of pro wrestling fans young and old alike.
Sting always knew how to evolve himself throughout his professional wrestling career to keep him fresh and at the forefront of fans’ minds. From WCW to IMPACT Wrestling and to, finally, the WWE, Sting has done it all in this business and has earned his rightful spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, the one thing Sting was never able to do was have a dream match with the Undertaker at WrestleMania. It’s a dream match fans still wish to this day we could have seen, because even if the match didn’t live up to the hype, their entrances going into it would have stolen the show.
20. Chris Jericho
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE Monday Night Raw
Date: December 24, 2001
Venue: Miami Arena, Miami, FL
Theme Used: “Break The Walls Down” by Jim Johnston
We have officially cracked the top-20 and we do so with the only man to ever beat both The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on the same night. That man is none other than All Elite Wrestling’s Chris Jericho.
While for the most part, his entrances in WCW were nothing special, the Ayatollah of Rock N’ Rolla changed the game when he jumped ship to the WWE during the Monday Night Wars. With the countdown to the millennium, Jericho debuted in a segment with The Rock with much fanfare and we were off the races with him ever since.
Jericho evolved his character over the years but, for the most part, always kept the same entrance theme in WWE, titled “Break the Walls Down.” He sparingly used other themes during his run but they never quite clicked as that one did. Whether it was a scarf, a light-up jacket or just a shiny type of attire, there was always something special about his entrances with WWE.
As the front man to the band Fozzy, once Jericho departed WWE and began working in New Japan Pro Wrestling, he used his own track, “Judas,” to make his way to the ring. He had some spectacular entrances in the Tokyo Dome ,as well. We are excited to see what Jericho will come up with for his entrance at AEW’s Double or Nothing on May 25.
19. “The Demon” Finn Balor
Greatest entrance:
Event: NXT TakeOver: Dallas
Date: April 1, 2016
Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Theme Used: “Catch Your Breath” by CFO$
When talking about the guy who at the No. 19 spot on our countdown, a lot of the times his entrance is pretty tame, almost boring. We’re talking about the current (and two-time) WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor.
What sets the former inaugural Universal Champion apart from everyone else, however, is what he happens when he transforms into his alter ego of The Demon King. Not only does he become virtually unstoppable in the ring, but he also brings with him easily one of the greatest entrances of all time.
Balor popularized The Demon character in New Japan Pro Wrestling as Prince Devitt, and it’s become a staple for him stateside in his higher-profile matches within NXT or on the main WWE roster. While donning The Demon persona, Balor has only lost one match in his WWE tenure. It’s a shame he didn’t pain up when he fought Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, right?
It’s hard to find a better entrance in the modern era of WWE than The Demon King himself, from the rocking theme music entitled “Catch Your Breath” by CFO$, to the fog-an- light show to the wide range of paint variations that The Demon features as he crawls his way down the ramp towards the ring. At the end of the day, when Finn puts on the paint you can guarantee yourself a great entrance.
18. The Brood
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE RAW is WAR
Date: May 24, 1999
Venue: Kiel Center, St Louis, MO
Theme Used: “Blood” by Jim Johnston
At No. 18 is one of the most memorable entrances from the Attitude Era during the Monday Night Wars, which came from Gangrel’s stable The Brood. Whether he was with Edge and Christian or the Hardy Boyz, the entrance always managed to steal the show.
Coming out to an entrance theme that was called, appropriately, “Blood,” the trio rose through a fiery hole in the side of the stage. Out would step Gangrel, with the goblet of red liquid (which was obviously supposed to be blood but we all know that it wasn’t). No matter who he was flanked by, Gangrel was the star of the show.
Although Gangrel’s career never really went anywhere beyond The Brood gimmick, everyone he associated with went on to become a world heavyweight champion, be it in the WWE or IMPACT Wrestling. That is an impressive statistic, and one can’t rule out the impact that the Brood had on Edge, Christian and the Hardy Boyz early on in their careers.
While The Brood isn’t celebrated nowadays as one of the greatest parts of the Attitude Era, it was certainly one of the most memorable. No matter what era we came up in the world of professional wrestling one thing is certain: It will be very difficult to duplicate the entrance of this trio.
17. “Latino Heat” Eddie Guerrero
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE SmackDown
Date: November 11, 2005
Venue: Conseco Field House, Indianapolis, IN
Theme Used: “Lie, Cheat, Steal” by Jim Johnston
Coming in at No. 17 is none other than “Latino Heat” himself, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Guerrero.
While an amazing performer in both ECW and WCW, his entrances in those companies never really matched his in-ring style. But during his time in the WWE, Guerrero found himself a new character, “Latino Heat,” who wanted to do nothing other than lie, cheat and steal. He adopted an amazing Low Rider entrance and after that point, there was no looking back.
His career reached a pinnacle in WWE at No Way Out 2004 in the Cow Palace in Daily City, California where he defeated Brock Lesnar to become WWE Champion. It was a result that no one saw coming on the road to WrestleMania XX and reinforced the slogan that WWE popularized in the 1990s that “anything could happen” in the WWE.
Unfortunately, Guerrero was taken from us all way too soon in November 2005. His death rocked the wrestling industry and it can be said that the WWE Universe and professional wrestling fans alike are still not over his untimely death. One could only imagine all the dream matches we have missed over the years since “Latino Heat” as no longer been with us. His name is still chanted at WWE events when a Frog Splash or Three Amigos are hit. In the hearts of the WWE Universe, Guerrero will live forever.
16. The Road Warriors (Legion of Doom)
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE SummerSlam 1992
Date: August 29, 1992
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Theme Used: “What A Rush” by Jimmy Hart & JJ Maguire
At No. 16, we come to the legendary tag team of the Road Warriors, Hawk and Animal, who were known in the WWE as the Legion of Doom. Depending on what organizations you count, they have had over 15 reigns as tag team champions. This is an accomplishment in the business that possibly cannot be rivaled by anyone other than the Dudleys, Hardy Boyz or Steiner Brothers, putting the LoD in elite company with arguably the greatest of all time.
An iconic tag team also deserved an iconic theme, and the Road Warriors, prior to their WWE run, came out to “Iron Man” from Black Sabbath. The crowds were deafening as this tag team made its way to the ring to take their opponents’ heads off, to the point where their crowd reactions were popularly referred to as a “Road Warrior pop,” terminology that is still used today by wrestling fans.
Their WWE theme song, “What a Rush by Jimmy Hart and JJ Maguire, while not as memorable as a Black Sabbath track, was an amazing theme for that time in the WWE. The opening of the theme with Hawk screaming “OHHHH WHAT A RUSH!!” got crowds on their feet and amped up ready to see the Legion of Doom in action.
Whether it was the spiked shoulder pads, coming out on motorcycles or being flanked by “Precious” Paul Ellering, there were a lot of things special about this tag team’s entrance, making it memorable all these years later.
15. The nWo
Greatest entrance
Event: WWE No Way Out 2003
Date: February 23, 2003
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Theme Used: “Rockhouse” by Frank Shelly
We’ve reached the halfway point on our countdown, and at No. 15 comes one of the most popular wrestling factions of all time, the group that single-handedly sparked the Monday Night Wars reshaped the future of pro wrestling: The New World Order, or just nWo for short.
As the story goes, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash arrived in WCW making it appear that the WWE was invading their competition. They eventually added “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan to the group and the whole thing blew up from there, creating arguably the biggest faction (if not in popularity, then certainly size) in the history of professional wrestling.
While “Rockhouse” by Frank Shelly is probably the most recognizable nWo theme, they had many, including Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” for Hogan as well as the “Wolfpac” theme song that was created by Jimmy Hart.
The nWo entrances in WCW were a big long production, taking these guys forever to get to the ring, but you were glued to your seat and entertained, throwing up “Too Sweet” hand gestures with your friends and wondering what they were going to say or do. Their entrance wasn’t nearly as popular in the WWE but the black and white effects for the entrance there gave it a way to stand out from the rest of the company at the time. While the nWo wasn’t a huge deal in WWE, there was another group, however, that very much was during the same time period.
14. D-Generation-X
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE SummerSlam 2009
Date: August 23, 2009
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Theme Used: “Break It Down (Remix)” by The Chris Warren Band
Coming in at No. 14, we land on the opposite side of the Monday Night Wars with D-Generation-X, the WWE faction that was created in direct response of the nWo’s existence in WCW. Led originally by Shawn Michael before being taken over by Triple H after the events of WrestleMania XIV, this group of degenerates just recently found their home in the 2019 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
No matter what combination of D-X was on display, their entrances were always an experience unto themselves. This group was a definitive staple of the Attitude Era and still holds a special place in the hearts of wrestling fans everywhere to this day.
D-X featured special entrances within special entrances, like entrance inception. Within D-X you had the tag team of the New Age Outlaws which could be argued as one of the most popular tag team entrances in WWE history. We included them with the entire group here but that doesn’t diminish the importance of the tag team’s entrance during their faction’s run on top.
Every member of the group either went on to have a successful singles or tag team careers with or without the group itself, something that couldn’t be said for their WCW rivals in the nWo. When you think of the Attitude Era, you can’t think about it without D-X and we don’t think the fans would want it any other way.
13. Bill Goldberg
Greatest entrance:
Event: WCW Starrcade 1998
Date: December 27, 1998
Venue: MCI Center, Washington D.C
Theme Used: “Invasion” by Christian Poulet & Jean-Yves Rigo
Who’s next on our countdown you ask? Well, the entrances that defined the Monday Night Wars continue on as we hit No. 13 with arguably one of the most dominant professional wrestlers of all time in Bill Goldberg. Yep, he’s next.
While the walk through the backstage area has been done before (and nowadays done very heavily by Ultimate Fighting Championship), no one quite captures the magic of the backstage entrance quite as Goldberg did. From the point where he would slam his head off a locker or door before bursting into the hallway flanked by security guards, you knew that you were watching someone important make his way to the ring.
His entrance didn’t stop there; the pyrotechnics show on the stage was a sight to behold as Goldberg stood in the middle of all of it, breathing the smoke in and out of his nose. How he could do that on a weekly basis and withstand it and all the burns he must have felt from the pyro is beyond us, it was a special entrance for a special athlete.
Goldberg’s streak took him to 173 straight wins before suffering his first loss, a record that no one ever thought would be replicated, until Asuka did it recently in the black and gold brand of NXT. Nevertheless, it was special then and remains special today. Goldberg’s last return to the WWE saw him defeat Brock Lesnar in less than 90 seconds and was a moment that no one saw coming. It was special, just like his entrance. Goldberg’s mystique and character will live in the WWE Hall of Fame forever.
12. Triple H
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania XXX
Date: April 6, 2014
Venue: Mercedes-Benz SuperDome, New Orleans, LA
Theme Used: “O Verona” by Only Men Aloud followed by “The Game” by Motorhead
While No. 12 on our countdown was included in a group earlier on, it could easily be argued that a majority of his great entrances also came as a solo act away from the faction. We’re talking about the Cerebral Assassin, the Game, Triple H.
A 14-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, the entrances from Triple H at WrestleMania are some of the greatest of all time. And all of them were performed by the legendary group Motorhead. They even played Triple H out live at WrestleMania X-Seven.
Whether it was “The Game, “Bow Down to the King” or even “Line in the Sand” for the group Evolution, Motorhead was a crucial key to help make Triple H’s entrances as special as they were. It also could be said that the Game seemed like he wanted to top himself each and every WrestleMania with an entrance bigger and more grandiose than the last.
At this year’s WrestleMania at MetLife Stadium, Triple H’s entrance had a Mad Max vibe where he rode out a crazy-looking death machine of a vehicle. It was a perfect example of what has made his entrances so special throughout his career. We can only imagine what he will come up with next year in Tampa Bay, maybe making use of the Pirate Ship of Raymond James Stadium? Only time will tell.
11. “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada
Greatest entrance:
Event: ALL IN
Date: September 1, 2018
Venue: Sears Centre, Chicago, IL
Theme Used: “Rainmaker” by Yonosuke Kitamura
Hitting the countdown with a little bit of Japanese Strong Style at No. 11 is the current reigning and defending IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from New Japan Pro Wrestling, “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada.
Just entering his fifth reign as champion, his dominance over New Japan over the last several years is second to none. His fourth reign as champion lasted 720 days and shatters all other records for holding that championship in Japan. Okada is a special kind of athlete and his entrance is just as special as he is.
His theme song “Rainmaker” by Yonosuke Kitamura is absolutely iconic in Japan and is in tune with a lot of popular WWE themes, where you know who’s coming out by the first note you hear. His colorful entrance gear helps him stand out as “Okada Bucks” fall from the sky for all of his special entrances. If you don’t know what we mean, think the JBL entrance in WWE in the early 2000s and you’ll get the idea.
While Okada has wrestled on joint shows with Ring of Honor and participated at the AWE precursor show, ALL IN, last year, it seems like for now that wrestling full time for a company in the United States like WWE is out of the question due to a bad experience he had with IMPACT Wrestling several years ago. We know that there has been genuine interest from the WWE for years, but the Rainmaker hasn’t seemed interested. We’ll have to wait to see what happens when All Elite Wrestling comes knocking on his door the next time his contract in New Japan is up. Maybe a return to working in the States is in the cards.
10. “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania XII
Date: March 31, 1996
Venue: Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA
Theme Used: “Sexy Boy” by Jim Johnston, J.J. Maguire & Jimmy Hart
We’ve finally made it into the top 10, and we’re kicking it off with Mr. WrestleMania himself, the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. The icon, the showstopper, the main event — you’ve heard it before, but they all apply to this man and it’s not just lip service. He’s one of the best of all time and his entrances over the years are no exception.
When looking back at the history of WrestleMania, it’s hard not to think about WrestleMania XII when the boyhood dream of the Heartbreak Kid came true. Michaels stood atop of the Arrowhead Pond as his mentor Jose Lothario pointed up at him, then coming down on a zip line. Watching this at any age was an iconic moment; you can still hear Vince McMahon in your head yelling “What a ride!” because it most certainly was.
Michaels was creating great entrances for as long as he performed as a singles star. Whether it was the theme song, his entrance, gear or the pyro that accompanied it all, an entrance from HBK never disappointed the WWE Universe.
Most recently, Michaels stepped out of retirement for the first time since WrestleMania XXVI to tag with his best friend Triple H against the Undertaker and Kane at Crown Jewel. It wasn’t a perfect match but it was a thrill to see one more entrance from one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
9. Rey Mysterio
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania 22
Date: April 2, 2006
Venue: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Il
Theme Used: “Booyaka 619” by P.O.D. (Live Performance)
Who’s that jumping out the sky at No. 9? It’s Rey Mysterio. The master of the 619 has had some of the coolest entrances for many years in the sport of professional wrestling, be it in WCW or the WWE. When it was a big event or an even bigger situation, Mysterio never let the fans down.
The greatest masked wrestler of all time has had a variety of great entrance themes throughout his career but his current one he uses, “Booyaka 619” by P.O.D., is arguably his most popular. The band even played Mysterio out at WrestleMania 22 in 2006 when he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton and Kurt Angle in a triple threat match.
Whether it’s being launched from under the stage to greet the WWE Universe or a variety of superhero-inspired attires he has worn over the years, including Spider-Man villain Mysterio at this years WrestleMania, there is always something about his entrances that make fans sit up and pay attention.
Mysterio’s latest run in the WWE currently might end up being his last in his 20-plus year career, but the matches he’s has had with Andrade this year show that he’s just as good now as he was in years past. Barring any serious injuries in the future, no one should rule out on more run at the top of the WWE for Mysterio before it’s all said and done.
8. The Sandman
Greatest entrance:
Event: ECW One Night Stand 2005
Date: June 12, 2005
Venue: Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, NY
Theme Used: “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
Coming in at No 8 is an ECW Original who rocks one of the most epic entrances in the history of professional wrestling, five-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion the Sandman.
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you to go to the WWE Network to see what made his entrance so special because the entire ECW library is hindered by the fact that WWE doesn’t have the rights to the music ECW used at the time. Heck, ECW didn’t have the rights to use the music ECW used at the time, but we digress.
Sandman’s entrance was the epitome of everything that made ECW cool: The crowd participation as they sang along “Enter Sandman” from Metallica, the beer drinking, the kendo stick and last but certainly not least smashing the beer cans on his head that typically had Sandman busted open even before the opening bell.
Sandman was only able to recreate this entrance under the WWE umbrella once, at ECW One Night Stand 2005. It was one of the most magical entrances in the history of WWE. Unfortunately, unless you recorded that pay-per-view on VHS when you ordered it you could never relive it. The DVD did not contain the Metallica track and it’s sad that something so special was lost because WWE didn’t want to spend the extra money to allow it to live forever.
7. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania VII
Date: March 24, 1991
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Theme Used: “Pomp and Circumstance Marches” by Sir Edward Elgar
Entering the countdown at No. 7 is the tower of power, too sweet to be sour, funky like a monkey, (ohhhhh yeaaaaaaaaaaah!!!) six-time World Heavyweight Champion, “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Diggit.
There is no other wrestler on the planet who could take the theme song “Pomp and Circumstance Marches,” usually used for graduation ceremonies, and make it cool, but Savage was able to pull it off. He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent and his legacy is still fondly remembered by the wrestling fans of today, some who weren’t even alive to see him do his thing in the ring.
Macho Man’s colorful hats, jackets, shades and gear helped him stand out above everyone else. He captivated the crowd with his look and movements in and outside of the ring. Whether he was wrestling a five-star classic or simply making his way down the aisle, few could do it better than the Macho Man.
His run as the “Macho King” was very memorable for his entrances, as he would be often carried out on a throne as he made his way to the ring, a style of entrance that has often been replicated over the years but never duplicated. Savage found his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 but we all wish he could have been in sooner; it would have been nice to hear from him as he was inducted, but better late than never.
6. The Rock
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania X8
Date: March 17, 2002
Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
Theme Used: “If You Smell…” by Jim Johnston
In the No. 6 spot is the most electrifying man in all entertainment, The People’s Champion, The Rock, now mostly known to a majority of the world know as Dwayne Johnson. But before he electrified Hollywood, The Rock electrified the millions … and millions … of the WWE Universe.
The 10-time World Heavyweight Champion made his WWE in-ring debut in the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, in 1996 at Survivor Series. Going by the ring name Rocky Maivia, some would be surprised to note that he was not immediately embraced by the WWE Universe.
Eventually, The Rock turned heel and joined the Faarooq (Ron Simmons) in the Nation of Domination. From there, he discovered The Rock character and became the Superstar we all know and love today. There are some entrance themes that you just know by the very first second you hear it. When you hear the beginning of “If You Smell…” by Jim Johnston you knew something special was about to go down.
While The Rock only had a few particularly fancy entrances, the music and the very presence of The Rock as he made his way to the ring are what made it so great. The Rock’s entrance is timeless; many of you could close your eyes right now and “smell what The Rock is cooking.”
5. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Greatest entrance:
Event: Starrcade ’83: A Flair for the Gold
Date: November 24, 1983
Venue: Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC
Theme Used: “Dawn” section of the tone poem “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss
We’ve hit the top five of greatest pro wrestling entrances, and we kick it off with one of the greatest, most decorated wrestlers of all time, the styling, profiling, limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheeling-dealing son of a gun (Woooooo!). That’s right, it’s “The Nature Boy” himself, Ric Flair.
It’s no surprise that the 16-time (and arguably more depending who you ask) World Heavyweight Champion places on the top-five of the greatest pro wrestling entrances of all time. This man knew how to make an entrance before it was even a thing that people paid attention to as a key part of the business.
The two-time WWE Hall of Famer certainly knows how to captivate a crowd, and has passed that skill along to his daughter Charlotte, the eight-time WWE Women’s Champion. Charlotte’s entrance at WrestleMania this year was inspired by her father’s entrance during the Great American Bash in 1986. Like father like daughter for sure.
Whether it was the sparky robes that cost thousands of dollars, the trademark strut as he walked to the ring, or just his overall charisma he had that allowed him to pull it all off, the Nature Boy was something special. Flair recently celebrated his 70th birthday earlier this year. Here’s to many more.
4. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania XIII
Date: March 23, 1997
Venue: Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, IL
Theme Used: “Hell Frozen Over” by Jim Johnston
When you hear the glass shattering, you know what’s about to happen. Coming in at No. 4 is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. What? We said it’s “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. What? The Texas Rattlesnake. What? The Bionic Redneck. What?
Austin literally broke through the glass ceiling in the WWE in the 1990s and helped make the Attitude Era what it was. Without Austin, there is a good chance WCW would have won the Monday Night Wars. That is how important Stone Cold is to the landscape of professional wrestling.
The six-time WWE Champion had an amazing career that unfortunately ended way too soon due to neck injuries. Many people wonder what might have been had the sitting tombstone piledriver spot with Owen Hart had never happened at SummerSlam 1997. The history of the WWE would certainly be different, despite the permanent mark Austin had already put on the company by that point.
Stone Cold always kept the glass shattering part of his entrance music but he had a variety of different themes throughout his WWE career, including an incredible version with lyrics from Disturbed entitled “Glass Shatters”. If you haven’t heard it, go out of your way to check it out. The Rattlesnake also had several fun vehicle entrances throughout his illustrious career including a beer truck, a Zamboni and an ATV four-wheeler. No matter how Austin made his way to the ring, we were always in for a good time and most likely a beer bash to end the evening afterward.
3. The Ultimate Warrior
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania XII
Date: March 31, 1996
Venue: Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Theme Used: “Unstable” by Jim Johnston
Solidifying himself in the No. 3 spot is none other than former WWE Champion The Ultimate Warrior. Warrior certainly had one of the most excitable, high-energy entrances in the history of professional wrestling.
Some would even argue that the entrance of the Warrior was, in fact, more entertaining than his matches that followed them. The Warrior often put so much into his entrances that by the time the bell rang he was winded and really not up to having a great match, one reason why many of his matches were so short.
Whether it was through the face paint, the tassels, or his ring attire, the many colors of the Warrior were always on display as he made his way to the ring quicker than anyone else. And once in the ring, Warrior attacked the ropes shaking them up and down, an act that has since become an iconic image of the Superstar.
The Warrior earned his spot into the class of the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame and 48 hours later on Monday Night Raw, we got to experience his entrance one last time. He suddenly died of a heart attack the following day. The WWE Universe was devastated at the sudden loss as many were just in the same building with him the nights before. His legacy lives on, however, and his one-of-a-kind entrances are a big reason why.
2. “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE SummerSlam 2005
Date: August 21, 2005
Venue: MCI Center, Washington DC
Theme Used: “Real American” By Rick Derringer
When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, No 2 on the list of all-time great pro wrestling entrances is “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan (is that how the lyric goes?). Hogan helped popularize the idea of using music as part of professional wrestling entrances and in doing so helped changed the entire industry forever.
While Hogan has used quite a few themes in his career, there is nothing more recognizable and memorable than “Real American” by Rick Derringer. The wrestling theme that has been around for over 30 years is still heard today, as the Hulkster made an appearance at MetLife Stadium for WrestleMania 35 this year. Oh, and sorry Hogan its “Stadium,” not “Center” … brother.
The 13-time World Heavyweight Champion helped change the wrestling business forever in the 1980s, and with the help of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and the Rock N’ Wrestling Connection, made the first WrestleMania a huge success. Without Hogan’s star power, that most likely wouldn’t have happened and may not have led to the WWE being the empire it is today.
Even though he spent most of the professional wrestling career as a face, his heel entrance as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan in WCW as part of the nWo was also iconic, playing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship like a guitar on his way to the ring, much like Kyle O’Reilly of the Undisputed Era does now. Hogan influenced an entire generation of talent to become professional wrestlers and the magic of his entrance had a lot to do with it.
1. The Undertaker
Greatest entrance:
Event: WWE WrestleMania XX
Date: March 14, 2004
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Theme Used: “Rest in Peace” by Jim Johnston
While many pro wrestlers’ entrances on this countdown are recognizable by the first note of their entrance music, that rings true more for our No. 1 above all others. The ominous gong rings out, signaling the arrival of the man from Death Valley, “The Phenom” himself, the Undertaker.
The Undertaker made his WWE debut at the 1990 edition of the Survivor Series and is still making appearances to this day, just recently Tombstone-ing Elias on the Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania 35. The Deadman is timeless, and so is his entrance.
While most would say the Undertaker’s best days in the ring are behind him, people would still line up in 2019 to pay to see one of his matches live for his entrance alone. It is something to experience live and if you haven’t yet, we really suggest you experience it before ‘Taker hangs up the hat for good.
The seven-time World Heavyweight Champion has done absolutely all there is to do in the business and is a sure first-ballot WWE Hall of Famer when he decides it’s time to go in. No one in the history of this sport has had more varied and, frankly, cool special entrances than the Undertaker. He’s risen from graves, summoned lightning, rode to the ring on a motorcycle and summoned the depth of Hell. The Undertaker has the greatest pro wrestling entrance of all time, no question.