Ropes N Riffs - A Podcast About Wrestling, Music, and Wrestling Entrance Themes

I recently got the opportunity to write Lacey Lane's new entrance theme, Let's Go For A Ride, so it was only fitting to have Lacey Lane on Ropes N Riffs to talk about...what else? Entrance themes and music!

In our conversation, I, John Kiernan, ask Lacey Lane (fka Kayden Carter) all about her love for different styles of music from Metal to Country and much more. We talk about the entrance themes she's used over time, including on the independents, the Mae Young Classic, and with her tag team with Katana Chance aka Kacy Catanzaro in...

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One of wrestling's most memorable themes is Kane's entrance theme from his debut at Survivor Series 1997. The rendition of his theme Slow Chemical written by Finger Eleven is just as memorable, if not more so, to so many. Finger Eleven guitarist Rick Jackett, fresh off of the release of their new album Last Night On Earth, discuss the process of writing and releasing Last Night On Earth and how Finger Eleven is thriving as a fully independent band without a label.

We also discuss how Finger Eleven came to write...

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I'm always grateful to have written with It Lives, It Breathes on Brian Myers entrance theme The Ride and the with legendary Downstait to collaborate on Matt Cardona and Brian Myers tag team theme Major Players was another dream come true. Brian Myers and I finally have a conversation, on camera, for y'all to talk about entrance themes.

Brian Myers joins me on this episode to talk about our collaboration on his entrance theme The Ride and Major Players, as well as discuss his themes over the course of his career from TNA...

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It's always awesome to speak with fellow theme song composers, especially when they're kings and legends of the space. Enter, once again, Downstait...this time, their guitarist Justin Call. Justin and I talk all about working on legendary entrance themes like Cody Rhodes Kingdom, Matt Cardona's Theme, The Miz Theme, Alex Riley's theme, and more. We also talk about how it had been to collaborate and work with WWE's former entrance theme composer Jim Johnston. What's his favorite one he's worked on? How did Isla Dawn's theme catch him by surprise?

We also...

Hi guys! John here.

Totally had to steal his gimmick for a sec. If you know what I'm talking about, you know who today's guest is...Maven!

You may remember Maven from his time as WWE Tough Enough FIRST winner! You may remember him for his awesome entrance theme, Tattoo (which apparently he hated!). You may remember him for knocking Undertaker over the top rope in the Royal Rumble. You may know him for his successful YouTube channel! You may know him for all of those things and more, but one thing...

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Many of you know how important Bray Wyatt was to me as a wrestling fan. For years, Bray's entrance theme Live In Fear resonated with so many of us, as it was the perfect theme for the Wyatt Family and Bray at large. I got the opportunity to sit down with the man behind the theme, Mark Crozer, and talk about how his song Broken Out Of Love became the anthem that Wyndham Rotunda would walk out to with his family over the years, his thoughts on the adaptations done by names such as Code...

You've been hearing them all over TikTok, Instagram, and probably your favorite wrestler's profiles! They've been creating banger covers of entrance themes, ripping up their own versions, and they were able to carve out some time to chat with me about their favorite entrance themes! Will Scarr and David Bartolomé chat with me all about how they started working together, their favorite renditions they've produced, and the love and support they've been shown from the wrestling community.

Enjoy!

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Zaheer is a composer and producer based in the UK and boy howdy, is he awesome! He's worked with Brian Cage, Nick Aldis, Mickie James, and so many more of your favorites.

How'd he get started in writing wrestling entrance themes? Will we be collaborating on something soon? He also wrestles? HE WORKED OUT WITH BRIAN CAGE? All that and more on this episode.

I also challenge Zaheer to our new segment called Music City Rumble, where I ask musicians and wrestlers to book their favorite musicians in a men's match, a women's match, and...

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Bowling For Soup has been one of my favorite bands for YEARS now and I got the opportunity to speak with Jaret Reddick...right when Bowling For Soup hit 1 Billion streams! It's an unbelievable feat and we talk all about they got there. We also talk all about Jaret's pro wrestling background from being named an official VON ERICH by KEVIN VON ERICH HIMSELF (dude) and how his son getting into wrestling led him to writing a song for Alexa Bliss.

We talk about the legacy of Bowling For Soup, their music being...

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If you'd have told me in my formative years that I'd get to have a conversation with Pulley's Scott Radinsky, I'd have told you you're absolutely off you're rocker. But on today's episode, that's exactly what happened (no one fell off their rocker, but you get me).

On today's episode, Scott from Pulley and I talk about their upcoming split EP with Punk Rock supergroup Fire Sale (who include former members of Face to Face, No Use For A Name and The Ataris) called Split Personality and break down each track of theirs...

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On this episode, I speak with Christina Rotondo, a versatile musician from the United Kingdom. Christina Rotondo was the voice Janis Goblin in Doctor Who's "The Church on Ruby Road" episode, as well as appeared on screen as Liz Lizardine in The Interstellar Song Contest. She's also lent her musical prowess to the song "Let Go" from Roblox (after Piggy...I don't know what that means as I'm not knowledgeable about Roblox LOL).

Discover how she continues to thrive in the music industry by performing covers, playing at weddings, and...

For those of you who know me, I'm a huge fan of horror movies and especially the storytelling in The Conjuring series. So imagine my surprise when I see a post on MetalSucks that says something like Vera Farmiga Starts a Metal Band!

Firstly...WHAT.

Second, we gotta get The Yagas on the show to have a conversation.

I got the opportunity to speak with Jason Bowman and Renn Hawkey from The Yagas about their new album, the formation of their band through Jason's music school Rock Academy, and the creative process behind...

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I'm really excited to have sat down with by buddy Darren Fisher, also known as THESE WOLVES. He's a talented composer known for his work on wrestling music, including his popular rendition of MJF's AEW theme Better Than You and his cover of Hangman Page's theme, Dead To Rights. We discuss the intersection of wrestling and music, the creative process behind composing themes, and the impact of music on wrestling culture.

Darren shares his experiences filming wrestling matches, collaborating with other musicians, and the challenges of storytelling through music. Our...

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Javi, formerly Javier Bernal in WWE NXT and Evolve, and wrestling entrance theme song composer John Kiernan explore the intersection of metalcore music and wrestling, discussing Javi's influences, his journey of self-discovery, and the importance of community in both fields.

They delve into Javi's his time at NXT and Evolve, his experiences with injuries, and how h...

Hi guys! I, your resident wrestling entrance theme composer John Kiernan interviews the one and only Uncle Ben, Ben Eller! Ben is a guitarist known for his recent performance with Mastodon and his unbelievable YouTube guitar channel.

We discuss Ben's recent experience playing with Mastodon, the challenges of learning their songs, and the evolution of the band's music. The conversation also delves into the influence of wrestling in the South, 80's and 90's wrestling, Ben's early memories of wrestling, and the significance of entrance themes in wrestling. We also explore the creative process behind writing themes, the...

Wrestling entrance theme song composer John Kiernan speaks with TNA Wrestling's Eric Young about his passion for music, particularly vinyl records, and the significance of entrance themes in wrestling.

They discuss the evolution of Sanity's entrance theme in NXT, Violent By Design's theme, and the collaborative process throughout his wrestling career working with Dale Oliver and more. They also talk about memorable guests on Young's show 'Vinyl Obsession', the ritual of vinyl collecting, and the collaborative process of creating entrance themes that resonate with wrestlers' characters.

Young shares insights on the importance...

John Kiernan speaks with Josiah Williams, known as Wrestle And Flow, about his journey in creating wrestling entrance themes. They discuss the creative process behind these themes, the importance of presentation, and the trial and error involved in content creation. Josiah shares insights on working with various talents, including Aleister Black (formerly Malakai Black), Taya Valkyrie, and Naomi, and emphasizes the significance of lyrics in entrance themes. The discussion also touches on collaboration within the wrestling music industry and the evolution of themes over time.

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Monteasy discuss the intricacies of creating wrestling entrance themes, the importance of camaraderie in the music industry, and the strategies that have led to Monteasy's success. They explore the significance of building relationships, the power of word-of-mouth promotion, and the need for innovation in the evolving landscape of wrestling music. Monteasy shares his journey, insights on collaboration, and advice for aspiring musicians in the wrestling community. In this conversation, Monteasy discusses the importance of collaboration in the hip hop industry, emphasizing that everyone contributes uniquely to the culture.

He shares insights on the necessity of reinventing oneself...

Vicki Venuto, also known as Vicious Vicki shares her journey through the wrestling world, her experiences with TNA, and how wrestling entrance theme song composer John Kiernan and her worked on her first theme, then she worked with entrance theme song legends Downstait on her current entrance theme.

Vicki and John discuss her character evolution, the influence of Linkin Park on her life, and her aspirations for the future. Vicki emphasizes the importance of being open and vulnerable in her career, connecting with fans through her personal story and struggles. The conversation highlights her recognition in the...

John Kiernan and Zack from wrestling entrance theme Downstait discuss their collaborative process in creating wrestling themes, the impact of their music in the wrestling industry, and the evolution of wrestler's themes over time.

They highlight their work with various wrestlers, including the new entrance theme for Indi Hartwell called Hart Won't Quit, Cody Rhodes now iconic entrance theme, Kingdom, as well as the theme that John Kiernan and Downstait worked on together for Matt Cardona and Brian Myers for their Major Players tag team, Major Players.

Zack and John also talk...

Guitar legend Marty Friedman shares his experiences in music and wrestling, particularly his memorable performance playing Tanahashi to the ring at NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 8 against Shinsuke Nakamura.

He discusses the importance of entrance themes in wrestling, the preparation involved in live performances, and the connection between music and wrestling. The conversation also delves into the differences between Japanese and Western music influences, culminating in a discussion about his latest album, Drama, which he describes as a culmination of his artistic journey.

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PJ Black, known for his dynamic wrestling career and innovative entrance themes, discusses his journey through the wrestling industry, focusing on his musical influences and character development. From his early days in WWE to the evolution of his persona into Dr. Black, PJ shares insights into the creative process behind his entrance themes such as You Will Believe In Me, the importance of character in wrestling, and the impact of social media on modern wrestling storytelling.

He reflects on his friendship with Bray Wyatt and the collaborative nature of wrestling creativity, emphasizing the need for unique and...

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Reby Hardy and John Kiernan talk about Reby's unique journey through music and wrestling, discussing her classical piano upbringing, her pivotal role in the Broken and Woken Universes, and the creative processes behind her performances. Reby discusses her Bound For Glory live entrance performance for Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy with the Broken Universe, her aspirations for future music projects, and the influence of her eclectic musical tastes.

Reby and John also talk about what went into creating her heart wrenching piano version of Bra...

Adam Page's AEW theme song composer Vincent Pedulla discuss the intricacies of creating entrance music for professional wrestlers. They explore Vincent's diverse background in music composition across various media, the evolution of Adam Page's themes from Ghost Town Triumph to Black Hat, and the essential elements that make Adam Page's theme resonate with audiences. The discussion also touches on the emotional impact of music in wrestling and how it reflects the character's journey.

John Kiernan and Vincent Pedulla explore the intricate relationship between music composition and wrestling themes, particularly focusing on the evolution of Hangman Adam Page's...

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John Kiernan interviews Emily Whitehurst, formerly Agent M of Tsunami Bomb, a multifaceted artist known for her solo project, Survival Guide. They discuss Emily's new cocktail book, Death Drinks, which pairs cocktails with songs from her album Death Dreams. The conversation delves into her creative process, the evolution of her music, and her experiences transitioning from a band member to a solo artist.

Emily shares insights on her favorite instruments, unique soundscapes, and the challenges of live performances in the modern music landscape. In thi...

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Lince Dorado and John Kiernan delve into the significance of music in wrestling, exploring how themes contribute to character development and audience connection. They discuss the evolution of wrestling music, the disconnect between wrestlers and their themes, and the personal journey of Lince in crafting his unique sound. The dialogue highlights the importance of music in setting the tone for performances and the cultural influences that shape musical tastes.

Lince Dorado and Jo...

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Joining us today is none other than Mega Ran! Mega Ran is a multifaceted artist known for his work in music, wrestling themes, and education. John Kiernan and Mega Ran discuss his journey, his collaborations with wrestlers such as how MVP tapped him to rap on Shelton Benjamin's AEW theme, and how he navigates his diverse passions.

The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in creative work, the impact of music on wrestling, and the significance of community in the creative process.

Meg...

Kevin Lacerda of It Lives, It Breathes and Damn Nation and John discuss...what else? Music in wrestling! Kevin talks about creating Will Ospreay's theme, Elevated, wanting to play Will Ospreay to the ring, as well as lending his voice to Action Andretti and Johnny TV's AEW entrance themes. Kevin also touches on getting to work with AEW music composer Mikey Rukus on those tracks and what his dream performance would be. They also talk about co-writing Brian Myers' Theme, The Ride, for TNA Wrestling Impact Wrestling.

Kevin and John also talk about the evolution of character...

Donovan Dijak discusses his journey as a professional wrestler, focusing on the significance of entrance music in shaping his character and presentation. He shares insights into his creative process when selecting themes, the evolution of his character, and the collaboration with AEW entrance theme composer Mikey Rukus on his newest theme, "Capital Punishment".

Dijak emphasizes the importance of confidence and how music enhances the overall performance, making it a vital element in wrestling. He also talks about the process of how WWE goes through selecting and collaborating on entrance music with talents. He also talks about working...

Mercedes Martinez reflects on her 24-year journey in wrestling, discussing the significance of entrance music, the evolution of her themes, and the importance of lyrics in connecting with fans. She shares insights into her musical influences, the collaborative process of creating tag team themes, and the critical role of timing in wrestling music.

Mercedes emphasizes her gratitude for her career and her commitment to evolving as a performer. In this conversation, Mercedes Martinez discusses the critical role of timing in wrestling entrances, emphasizing how every second counts for creating impactful moments.

She shares her favorite...