The world of professional wrestling is often seen as a realm of suplexes, slams, and showboating. But what happens when these titans of the turnbuckle decide to flex their creative muscles outside the squared circle? It might surprise you to learn that for many wrestlers, the roar of the crowd isn’t the only sound they crave. Some have ventured into the unpredictable world of music, with results ranging from surprisingly good to… well, memorable. Let’s tune in to 10 wrestlers who laid down tracks and shared their musical talents with the world.
10. Macho Man Randy Savage
Ooooh yeah! The legendary Macho Man Randy Savage was a superstar on par with Hulk Hogan, known for his flamboyant personality and intense promos. After his time in WWF and WCW, Savage launched a music career. In 2003, he released a rap album titled Be a Man. While a significant portion of the album was dedicated to a lyrical feud with Hulk Hogan, it also showcased a softer side. The track “Perfect Friend” was a heartfelt tribute to his recently deceased friend, fellow wrestler Kurt Hennig (Mr. Perfect). Despite some clunky lines, the raw emotion behind it was undeniable.
9. Jerry Lawler
Jerry “The King” Lawler boasts one of the earliest musical forays in wrestling. Long before his WWE commentary days, he was a megastar in the Memphis wrestling scene. Capitalizing on his popularity, he released Jerry Lawler Sings, an album featuring covers of artists like Van Morrison and Ringo Starr. Its success led to a second album, Jerry Lawler and the Nunnery Brothers Band. This follow-up included more covers, such as “Monday Monday,” but also original wrestling-themed songs like “World’s Greatest Wrestler.” He even had a ’90s WWE single, “Puppies,” an ode to his on-air commentary catchphrase. Recently, a Kickstarter aimed to repress his classic records.
8. The Rock
Can you smell what The Rock is singin’? Many know Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s vocal talents from Disney’s Moana, where he voiced Maui and sang the catchy “You’re Welcome.” However, this wasn’t his first musical mic check. During the Attitude Era, The Rock collaborated with Wyclef Jean and Melky Sedeck on the track “It Doesn’t Matter.” Inspired by his famous catchphrase, this 2000s rap song featured samples of The Rock’s iconic lines. It cleverly critiqued rap’s financial flaunting while also partaking in it, all set to a distinctive Latin-influenced trumpet riff.
7. John Cena
John Cena’s entrance music, “The Time Is Now,” is instantly recognizable, and he actually performed it! When Cena debuted in WWE, his gimmick was that of a rapper, “The Doctor of Thugonomics.” His freestyle rap promos were often sharp and humorous, helping him become a megastar. This persona led to the 2005 album You Can’t See Me, a collaboration with rapper Tha Trademarc. While the album received mixed reviews and didn’t quite capture the magic of his live promos, Cena continued to contribute to music, including the song “All Day” with Wiz Khalifa for the WWE 2K15 video game soundtrack.
6. Terry Funk
The hardcore legend Terry Funk, known for his resilience and fearless style across generations and promotions worldwide, also stepped into the recording booth. It might be a surprise to fans primarily familiar with his brutal deathmatches in Japan. In 1983, he released an album titled Texas Bronco Terry Funk. This eclectic collection featured wrestling-themed songs mixed with dialogue from his promos. He followed it up in 1984 with Great Texan, which included peculiar tracks like “We Hate School” and “Barbara Streisand’s Nose,” and even featured backing vocals from Japanese pop star Noriko Miyamoto.
5. Captain Lou Albano
Though primarily known as a flamboyant manager for stars like Andre the Giant and for his memorable feud and friendship with Cyndi Lauper (appearing in her music videos), Captain Lou Albano also had a musical adventure. In 1985, he joined forces with the rock band NRBQ, known for their work with diverse artists like Sun Ra. Together, they created the album Lou and the Q. It was a quirky mix, featuring original tunes like “Boarding House Pie” alongside covers of classics such as “La Vie en Rose” and even the nursery rhyme “Michael Row the Boat Ashore.”
4. Freddie Blassie
“Classy” Freddie Blassie was a pioneering heel (villain) in professional wrestling, setting the standard for bad guys after transitioning from a babyface (hero) role post-World War II. In the 1970s, Blassie lent his distinctive voice to tracks featuring musicians like rockabilly artist Johnny Legend and punk rocker Billy Zoom. These recordings were later compiled on his album I Bite The Songs. True to his villainous persona, the album included antagonistic songs such as “Pencil Neck Geek” and “Loser Leaves Town.” Interestingly, the album opened with a disclaimer from Blassie himself, just in case his character was too offensive for listeners.
3. Lita
Lita, the punk rock daredevil of the Attitude Era, was known for taking incredible risks and bumps. After her wrestling career concluded in 2006, she immediately pursued her passion for music with her band, The Luchagors. Displaying her band’s t-shirt in her final match was a clear sign of her next chapter. The Luchagors started playing in the Atlanta area and released their self-titled debut album in 2007. They embarked on extensive tours across the US and Europe. However, after a challenging reception in the UK, the band went on hiatus. Their music, with tracks like “Goodbye” and “All There Is,” was very much of its time, offering a standard early 2000s punk rock sound.
2. Chris Jericho
Perhaps the most commercially successful wrestler-turned-musician is Chris Jericho. He has masterfully balanced his legendary wrestling career with his role as the frontman for the band Fozzy. Formed in 1999, Fozzy has dedicated significant time to touring, writing, and recording. They’ve released eight studio albums and one live album, touring globally. Their initial two albums featured covers of hard rock and metal anthems from bands like Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. By their third album, they transitioned to original material, building a substantial fanbase. Esteemed musicians like Zakk Wylde have collaborated with them, solidifying their rock credentials. Fozzy’s music has also been featured as theme songs for various wrestling events.
1. The WWF Roster
No list of wrestlers’ musical exploits would be complete without mentioning the official WWF (now WWE) albums. In its quest to become an entertainment empire, Vince McMahon commissioned several albums. The first two, The Wrestling Album (1985) and Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 (1987), are particularly iconic for their wonderfully bizarre content. The Wrestling Album featured Junkyard Dog singing his theme “Grab Them Cakes,” a euphemistic tune that hasn’t aged particularly well. On Piledriver, Koko B. Ware sang the title track, drawing parallels between falling in love and taking the dangerous wrestling move. However, the undeniable peak of wrestling musical oddity is Vince McMahon himself singing “Stand Back” on Piledriver. The accompanying music video, featuring McMahon’s awkward dance moves at the 1987 Slammy Awards with superstars unconvincingly miming instruments, is a legendary piece of wrestling kitsch.
From heartfelt tributes to cringeworthy cash-ins, these wrestlers certainly left their mark on the music world, proving that their talents—and ambitions—often extend far beyond the ring. Their musical journeys add another fascinating layer to their already larger-than-life personas.
Which wrestler’s musical career surprised you the most? Do you have a favorite (or least favorite) wrestler song? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
