TOP 10 ENTRANCES

Top 10 Entrances in Wrestling

(In no particular order)

(Warning: Personal opinion & if you don't like it... "DEAL WITH IT" -Batista)

Ok, first off... 

I couldn't come up with an "order" for this list because it is very difficult to put these in order by popularity or excitement or whatever you want to place em in. At least for me it was. So here we go!

1. Hulk Hogan

Anyone that has watched wrestling in the late 80's & early 90's knows what I'm talking about. Hogan's entrance is one that many people are familiar with. The sound of a guitar playing an all too familiar tune...You hear the words, "When it comes crashing down, and it hurts inside"You know it's Hulk Hogan! You know Hulkamania is about to run wild BROTHER!!! Ripped up shirt. Bandana tied. Pointing to the crowd. The song follows and the people go nuts. THEN, the chorus part of the song comes in: "I am a real American, Fight for the rights of every man, I am a real American, fight for what's right, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!” Probably the most "American" entrance from them all. The fans have seen this entrance for years and it doesn't get old. It's a classic entrance. 

2. The Ultimate Warrior

One word can describe this entrance. INTENSE. Or in Warrior fashion "INNNNNTENNSSSSE!!! ARGGHHH!!!” Watching The Ultimate Warrior run into the ring you would think, "This guy is jacked up on Red Bull", but you're wrong. Red Bull is for sissies and Warrior is a beast. The sound of 80's styled metal music blaring over the speakers. An enormously ripped guy runs out like a professional football player and/or Forest Gump. He then runs up to the ring apron & runs some more - back n forth then grabs ahold of the ropes & shakes the hell out of em. You would think he's going to destroy the ring with all that running & shaking!

3. The Undertaker

Completely dark arena followed by organ-piano music that you would only hear at a funeral or a scary church. Heavy fog. The arena is now a dark, blue-ish purple color, with a tall corpse like figure approaching the ramp. As a child this was the scariest entrance of them all. You would have thought the man was really dead with Paul Bearer at his side with the urn. Come WrestleMania time he turns up the scariness to a 10! Whether it's Druids holding torches in heavy fog or being brought in on a chariot with a live vulture next to em, it's fucking intense & creepy.

4. Stone Cold Steve Austin

In the late 90's there was one entrance that turned fans into rabid psychos. 

Enter: Stone Cold.

Glass shattering. Rock music hits. The craziest SOB walks out shaking bald head. This is one of the most simple entrances from a superstar, yet the most well known. He was a one man show. Never in need of over the top pyro or any props at the stage. All you knew was that Stone Cold is here. And there's an ass kickin to be given & beers to be smashed.

5. The Rock

"DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING?"

The most electrifying man in sports entertainment definitely knows how to make an entrance. At one point in time, during the 90's The Rock was the TOP performer. He was the Hogan of the late 90's. Both Rock & Stone Cold shared and fought for the top spot constantly. They both had the biggest fan reaction to their music playing over the loud, arena speakers. He made his way down the ramp with style & an attitude that makes him look untouchable. The Rock's theme changed more than anyone's but you still knew it was The Rock. You still loved it (if you were a fan). You still raised your arm. You still raised your eyebrow.

6. Goldberg

One man that stood out in WCW was Bill Goldberg. A former NFL player turned pro wrestler. Goldberg was a big, tough looking guy and he had the best theme music to match his intensity. Goldberg's entrance usually started backstage which was rare back then. Cameras only went back for backstage brawls or interviews. But for Goldberg, it was a different story. A different feeling backstage. Security lined up by his door. Loud drum sounds. The sounds of battle music. The music that could accompany a Roman God. Or in this case, Goldberg. He would exit his dressing room. Making his way to the entrance ramp where he'd stand as the pyro & sparks completely covered his body into smoke which he would at times inhale and then blow out followed by punches and kicks being thrown. This man was ready to battle! Chants of "GOOOOLLDDDBERG!" filled the arena in unison. There wasn't much to it from there but a simple walk out towards the ring. But when you see it, it's just intense. It's Goldberg intense.

7. The Shield

The Shield hasn't been around as long as the other performers listed. But, their entrance is one that we had never seen from a faction or tag team. We've seen people come out through the crowd occasionally (ex: The Sandman ECW days) but this is just a different experience. Military styled radio voice hits the speakers. “Sierra. Hotel. India. Echo. Lima. Delta. SHIELD"  Hardcore - Metal styled music blasting throughout the arenas speakers. A dark arena with a helicopter like spotlight searching down in the crowd. Three men making their way down the steps of the full arena. THE ARENA. Black combat gear. They just look like 3 guys you wouldn't want to fuck with. They make their way towards the railing that separates the fans & the ring and approach the squared circle. Once in, they take over the corners & pose. I've seen this entrance live. It's actually pretty amazing... 

8. Daniel Bryan

Bryan Danielson aka Daniel Bryan to WWE fans makes the list because at one point in time he had one of the best independent wrestling entrances. As an ROH wrestler he used Europe's "The Final Countdown" which was a hit in the late 80's. Danielson was using it in almost 30 years later. The arena usually pitch black. Spotlight on the entrance ramp. Danielson approaching. Fans clapping along to the music & chanting the chorus "IT'S THE FINAAAL - COUNTDOWN!!!" The fans loved them some Europe. The entrance would quickly turn into a mini concert. Now as Daniel Bryan in the WWE, his entrance also has huge fan participation. The “Flight of the Valkyries” theme brings the chants of “YES!” from the crowd with arms up in the air pointing towards the ceiling. He knows how to get the crowd riled up for some action. The connection with Bryan & the WWE fans is very strong. In the days of “no!” chants to the chants of today, the fans love it.

9. Jushin Thunder Liger

This comic book character turned real life wrestling gimmick began in 1989. I don’t think Keiichi Yamada knew what he was getting himself into when he took the role of Jushin Liger. His entrances are pretty awesome to say the least. The sound of Japanese pop song with female vocals fills the arena. A five foot seven inch man approaching the ramp with a chest piece that connects to a cape. Forgot to mention he’s wearing a full red & white body suit. Some pyro with confetti and streamers fill the arena and ring. Fans love this. I know I do…

10. Kenta Kobashi

Kobashi is a living legend in Japan and in the states to those who’ve watched his matches in Ring of Honor. His entrance is far from being flashy or even “amazing” to the average U.S. fan. But, when that soft melodic metal music hits and the man covered in his robe comes out from backstage towards the ramp, you hear the thousands of fans chant one word, “KOBASHI”. Not many wrestlers get their named chanted by thousands of fans. Kobashi does. As he enters the ring he is showered in streamers by the fans.

- RICKY RUDE