Jump to content
Pro Wrestling Only

WWF's introduction of music in the 80s


BigBadMick

Recommended Posts

This is something that's puzzled me a bit for years. The decisions to allocate wrestlers music, and when seems quite arbitary. Warrior had his tune by WM 4, yet DiBiase came out to silence until 1990 (I think).

 

By 1991 it seems every featured star has a tune, but why was it so patchy until then?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if I've ever heard a specific answer to this, but I think it goes back to Parv's general point (which I've believed for years as well FWIW) that the WWF had a slow gradual evolution from 84 to the end of the decade into what Vince's vision was.

 

The 84 TV is much the same as the 83 TV with different talent is one example of my point. Music for nearly every wrestler is another key but it was not every wrestler. At some point in 1990 they lost (or gave up) the rights to Jive Soul Bro. As a result you rarely if ever see Warlord or Power and Glory coming to the ring, even for a squash match. They are already there and hence don't need music.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me their idea was to only have certain wrestlers have it to keep it somewhat special or at least fit the gimmick they were going for. Obviously Vince or someone changed their mind along the way.

 

When someone like Hogan came out to "Eye of the tiger" it seemed like a big deal. Once everybody had music it really watered entrances down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There were also cases where music just wouldnt fit. Barbarian, Warlord, and Bad News Brown for example had no music, as it wouldnt really fit their characters. Same with Backlund not having music until his "presidential canidate" gimmick, since Backlund was a throwback to the old school. Speaking of which, was the WWF the first company to use original music (as opposed to the "real" songs that Mid-South, Memphis, World Class, AWA, JCP, and other federations used at the time)?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Honky was supposed to come in as a face as I recall, and if Demos were meant to be Road Warrirors knock offs, the hard rock was a part of that.

 

Someone might want to do a check though, how many faces of the era had themes. I only really have JYD in mind.

 

You'd think there would a site out there that catalogued all this, but alas.. It seems to me that the more gimmicky guys had themes and the cowboys and big men and what not didn't. I know Duggan used some weird ass theme and Bigelow used music that was later used for Prime Time Wrestling in '91.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Honky was supposed to come in as a face as I recall, and if Demos were meant to be Road Warrirors knock offs, the hard rock was a part of that.

 

Someone might want to do a check though, how many faces of the era had themes. I only really have JYD in mind.

Several actually, Hogan, Piper, Steamboat, JYD, Hillbilly Jim, Cpl. Kirchner, Outback Jack, Bigelow, Strike Force, Young Stallions, Sam Houston, and Rockin Robin were all 1987-era faces who had theme music.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Honky was supposed to come in as a face as I recall, and if Demos were meant to be Road Warrirors knock offs, the hard rock was a part of that.

 

Someone might want to do a check though, how many faces of the era had themes. I only really have JYD in mind.

Several actually, Hogan, Piper, Steamboat, JYD, Hillbilly Jim, Cpl. Kirchner, Outback Jack, Bigelow, Strike Force, Young Stallions, Sam Houston, and Rockin Robin were all 1987-era faces who had theme music.

 

Now go through all the heels who had themes, and all those who didn't.

 

I suspect my general point will be borne out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...