“The Immortal” Hulk Hogan celebrates his birthday today (August 11.) If there’s one thing fans the world over can agree on, it’s this: Hogan had one of the best wrestling themes of all time.
Of course, the Hulkster wasn’t the only wrestler with a great theme. In honor of his birthday, here are eight of the best wrestling themes of the 1980s.
Hulk Hogan
Performed and co-written by Rick Derringer, he told Rolling Stone, “It’s become one of the biggest records I’ve ever made…and I’m the guy who did “Hang On Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” (Well…he’s not wrong.)
Demolition
Derringer strikes again! His work with the WWF also included this hard rock tag team theme classic.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts
The synth guitar is so menacing, Roberts’ theme didn’t need lyrics.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage
Savage’s use of “Pomp & Circumstance” is so iconic that high school graduates call it the “Macho Man March” instead of the “The Graduation March.” (Okay…they don’t, BUT THEY SHOULD!)
Mr. Perfect
The only thing more perfect than the late Curt Hennig is this theme.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Oh, Hot Rod…you’re just so incredibly missed.
“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
The “Money” hook. That laugh. You can’t put a price on the brilliance of this theme.
The Fabulous Freebirds
Last, but certainly not least: No “best ’80s wrestling theme” list would be complete without “Badstreet U.S.A.” The Freebirds were the first wrestlers to have original entrance music, so without them and the vocal stylings of Michael “P.S.” Hayes, this entire list wouldn’t be possible.
