The top 30 greatest pro wrestling entrances of all time

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.