Connie Francis was a sound that defined a generation. With timeless hits like “Who’s Sorry Now” and “Where the Boys Are,” she brought heart, grace, and emotion to every note.
She broke barriers as one of the first female pop superstars, becoming an international sensation and a symbol of elegance and resilience. Her music crossed borders and languages, but her message was always universal: love, loss, and longing.
Connie faced life’s hardships with the same strength she brought to the stage — with courage, warmth, and an unshakable spirit.
Her songs may fade out, but her impact never will. Rest in peace, Connie — your voice lives on.
Ozzy Osbourne
The Prince of Darkness
Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a rock star — he was a legend. As the frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo icon, he reshaped music and earned his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With unforgettable songs and a presence that couldn’t be ignored, he brought heavy metal to life.
Beyond music, Ozzy became a cultural force even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his larger-than-life impact and rebellious spirit. He gave power to the outsiders and a voice to those who felt unseen.
He’s gone, but his legacy roars on. Rest in power, Ozzy — forever immortal.
Hulk Hogan
The Immortal One
Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler he was larger than life. With his 24-inch pythons, red and yellow gear, and electrifying charisma, Hogan defined an era and became the face of professional wrestling around the world.
From slamming giants at WrestleMania to coining phrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”, he turned sports entertainment into a global phenomenon. As a WWE Hall of Famer, Hogan wasn’t just part of wrestling history — he was wrestling history.
Beyond the ring, his influence stretched into movies, television, and pop culture, becoming a true American icon whose presence was impossible to ignore.
He told us to train, say our prayers, and believe in ourselves and millions did.
Rest in power, Hulkster. Your legacy will never lay down for the three count.
Chuck Mangione
The Man Who Made Jazz Smile
Chuck Mangione brought warmth and joy to jazz, turning the flugelhorn into a household sound. With hits like “Feels So Good,” he created melodies that didn’t just play — they stuck with you, becoming part of life’s soundtrack.
A Grammy winner and crossover star, Chuck made instrumental music feel approachable, emotional, and alive. His work touched everything from concert halls to cartoons — famously becoming a recurring presence in King of the Hill, where his music and image were celebrated by a new generation.
He wasn’t just a musician. He was a vibe. A feeling. A reason to smile.
Rest easy, Chuck — it still feels so good, and it always will.
With their first video game released in 1989, WWE has had quite a few titles under their belt, but which were the best there are, the best there were, or the best there ever will be?
World Wrestling Entertainment has been a global phenomenon, captivating millions of fans with its larger-than-life characters and thrilling storylines. Over the years, WWE has released numerous video games that allow fans to step into the squared circle and experience the adrenaline-pumping action firsthand. From the arcade classics to modern-day masterpieces, let’s break down the greatest WWE (and WWF) video games that have left an indelible mark on gaming history.
WWF No Mercy (Nintendo 64 – 2000)
Often regarded as the pinnacle of WWE video games, WWF No Mercy for the Nintendo 64 set a new standard for wrestling games. Developed by AKI Corporation, this game offered an extensive roster, excellent graphics for its time, and a deep and intuitive grappling system. The game’s customization options, including create-a-wrestler mode, kept players engaged for hours. WWF No Mercy’s enduring legacy continues to influence wrestling games to this day.
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WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PlayStation 2 – 2003)
Widely hailed as one of the best WWE games ever made, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain took the franchise to new heights. With a star-studded roster, including legends and modern-day superstars, the game provided a satisfying mix of arcade-style action and realistic mechanics. The addition of the iconic “Elimination Chamber” match and the “Season” mode with branching storylines made this game a fan favorite.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 (Multiple Platforms – 2005)
As the first installment of the SmackDown vs. Raw series, this game was a massive success, combining raw wrestling action with an improved grappling system and enhanced graphics. The roster featured over 70 superstars, and the addition of the General Manager mode added a strategic element to the gameplay. The game’s Create-a-Championship and Create-an-Entrance features also allowed players to personalize their WWE experience.
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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (Multiple Platforms – 2007)
The 2008 installment of the SmackDown vs. Raw series was a game-changer in the WWE gaming universe. Featuring significant improvements in graphics and gameplay, this title provided players with a more realistic and immersive experience. The inclusion of the “ECW” brand expanded the roster and brought additional match types, while the 24/7 mode allowed players multiple story-driven play types ranging from your own custom superstars to General Managers. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 remains a standout entry in the franchise
WWE 2K19 (Multiple Platforms – 2018)
While the later WWE 2K series entries were met with mixed reviews, WWE 2K19 managed to capture the essence of WWE’s golden era. The game featured a plethora of match types, including the returning “Towers” mode, which offered unique challenges against legendary opponents. Improved visuals, smoother gameplay, and an extensive roster, featuring classic and contemporary stars, made WWE 2K19 a standout title. This game for many players lasted the lifespan of two WWE 2K entries as we had to wait for WWE2K22 following the unplayable 2K20.
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WWE 2K23 (Multiple Platforms- 2023)
WWE 2K23 was a much-anticipated release hot off the well-received previous entry to the franchise. While this game was very much an update to existing features in 2k22, ’23 took its time to listen to the fan’s feedback with improvements to the beloved GM mode including the addition of up to 4 GMs at a time, fixes to Universe mode, Custom renders, and overall lighting and performance enhancements. While this game is far from perfect, many players appreciate that with this entry the 2K devs have been more supportive than ever addressing concerns and making notable updates via patches. There is still quite a shelf life left on WWE 2K23 and many bugs to be fixed, only time will tell how we look back at this year’s entry critically, but for now, it’s a much-welcomed step in the right direction!
WWE video games have come a long way, evolving from their pixelated origins to stunningly realistic simulations. Each game mentioned in this breakdown left a lasting impression on the gaming community, and fans have fond memories of their favorite titles. From the groundbreaking WWF No Mercy to the acclaimed WWE 2K19, these games have enabled fans to live out their wrestling dreams and have contributed significantly to the success of WWE’s presence in the gaming world. As we look forward to the future, we can only anticipate more exciting and innovative WWE video game experiences in store for fans worldwide with helpful and responsive devs.
If you’re more than the average fan, chances are you can go word for word or note for note with any litany of wrestler themes across a multitude of eras. The entrance theme is a vital part of any wrestlers persona and plays a major role in how they are received by the live audience. A great entrance theme can put a rising star on the average fans radar or propel an already established star to an unthinkable level, case in point, Chris Jericho’s Judas. However, many times wrestlers who aren’t particularly pinned by management for the main event scene are often saddled with any number of boring or reused stick music from the WWE library. While other companies such as AEW have shelled out some major bucks for song rights in the past year, we completely understand the sizable reason why this luxury cannot be afforded to everyone. That being said, some theme choices just seem too obvious to pass up!
Lunatic Fringe: Dean Ambrose
Now listen, Tony Khan’s recent Acquisition of Wild Thing for Moxley is a spot on fit, we’re not debating that. However, The WWE’s Dean Ambrose was a very different character entirely. Taking much of the hardcore and ruthless style Moxley was known for and toning it down, WWE startled the then Dean Ambrose with the monicker, Lunatic Fringe. Had this maybe just been “The Lunatic” maybe it would’ve had more legs, but I can honestly say I’ve never once heard the phrase “lunatic fringe” used outside of the 1981 Red Rider song of the same name. This was no one and done nickname either, it stuck with him his entire WWE career! You’d think at some point this would’ve been adapted to his entrance theme, maybe when he broke out from The Shield as a singles star, maybe after he won his first WWE Championship, or one of his big returns to the ring, but no. The opportunity was always there several times over, it would seem more than anything “The Fed” just didn’t want to spend the extra green on The Dean. This theme may have been the catalyst that took the Ambrose persona to a more serious and ruthless level, alas all we ever got were some awkwardly places sirens over the same old tune.
Be A Man: Randy Savage
Getting a little more specific on this one, Pomp and Circumstance is 100% the definitive Macho Man theme. The only song that could’ve possibly played the cream of the crop to the ring for all those glorious years, but we’re not talking WWF here, hell we aren’t even taking WCW. In a very unexpected turn of events The Macho King found himself signed to a TNA contract in 2004 just in time for his big debut at their Turning Point PPV. This wasn’t the robe wearing, colorful, catchphrase spouting Savage of old though. More reminiscent of his latter-day WCW gimmick, Savage was back in black, head-to-toe leather with a more serious demeanor than ever. This would’ve been the perfect time for Randy’s rap album Be A Man to be brought to the live wrestling audience. With the self titled track playing him too the ring, this much more grizzled and rough are kind the edges Savage would’ve been backed by his own fitting signature gravely voice, rather than some weird dance club inspired version of his classic theme.
Ziggy Stardust: Stardust
His name was Stardust. Stardust, how do you drop the ball on this. Presumably, the copyright for David Bowie must’ve been immaculate, however, if they planned to keep Cody in that silly little trash bag suit, which clearly they did, why not invest in it. There is a long standing theory in the wrestling world that Mr. McMahon has always forced the Rhodes family into ridiculous gimmicks and costumes in order to get back at Dusty and the NWA for opposing his product, be it yellow polka dots, the “Androgynous” Goldust, or … this thing, and we can’t help but believe that to be at least partially true. I mean for God sake, he even painted his face like Bowie upon the singers passing. Just imagine how much more of a presence, and less of a joke, this could’ve been with Cody walking to the ring as the Ziggy Stardust guitar riff blared behind him, you know the one.
Break On Through: John Morrison
This one legitimately bothers me to this day. The whole basis of the John Morrison gimmick is that he bares a striking resemblance to Doors front man Jim Morrison. Literally, look at his early presentation on WWECW, his attires, manner of speech, what he references, HIS DAMN FINISHING MOVE IS THE STARSHIP PAIN. He is a walking tribute to The Doors. So if someone could please explain to me what in the hell his entrance theme is suppose to sound like, because it damn sure ain’t Jim. The only thing I keep telling myself is that someone pitched the gimmick to the audio department and had to try and explain what The Doors sounded like without ever listening to them. “Yeah man, so it’s like, psychedelic 70s rock with heavy guitar influence then add some guy who sounds drugged out over it”. That’s the only logical explanation I have, and that’s no disrespect to Jim Johnston because he was a phenomenal asset to the company, by damn what the hell happened here. It doesn’t even have to be Break On Through, it could literally be ANY Doors song, Hell it could be a knock off instrumental cover of a Doors song. Something that makes sense is all I ask for, is that too much? Well, I’m WWE yes, yes it is.
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The Touch: Hulk Hogan
I just need this for one night only. Imagine it, the Nitro following the infamous “Finger Poke of Doom”, Hogan hits the ramp with the WCW/NWO World Title as “YOU’VE GOT THE TOUCH” blares behind him, flanked of course by the Touch-ee himself Big Sexy, Kevin Nash. You’d laugh, admit it.
Let us know what themes you think wrestlers should have been using down below and be sure to check out more blogs like this one right here!
What are the absolute greatest and most iconic Macho Man quotes of all time?
Oh Yeah! Macho Man Randy Savage is renowned as one of the absolute greatest of all time both in the ring and out. A character so large he became not only a sports entertainment icon but a pop culture icon as well! A name-stay of the 80s and 90s and still commonplace today, the late great Macho Man has certainly left his impact over multiple generations. With a aura about him that will seemingly ever fade, we’re looking back at some of the most iconic and quoted Randy Savage lines of all time, DIG IT!
Comparatively Speaking,
Combine your typical mumbled, adrenaline fueled, rage induced 80s wrestling promo with surpassing articulation and metaphors and you’ve got yourself a classic Randy Savage promo. Never had this been more evident than in the build up to The Macho Man’s Intercontinental Championship match against Champion Tito Santana. In a backstage interview for the history books with the legendary Mean Gene Okerlund, Savage began his now infamous rant by presenting a trash bin seemingly from nowhere before uttering the phenomenal line, “Tito Santana, Comparatively speaking you are nothing but garbage.” In an interview segment full of memorable lines and actions, including the iconic “Grain of Sand” bit, we’ve got to go with the one that started us down the rabbit hole!
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Funky like a monkey…
Honestly It baffles me this one isn’t more commonplace in the casual discussion of Randy Savage! One of the most out there and wacky lines in his arsenal, The a Macho King would occasionally bust it out be it backstage or on talk shows! With a dead serious demeanor and without missing a cue only Savage could utter the iconic phrase, “The tower of power, Too sweet to be sour, Funky like a monkey, Sky’s the limit and space is the place.” And still come off as a total badass! Our overly sized rhinestone and feather hat is off to you King!
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You Can’t Say That!
Sometimes the best moments are blink and you miss it situations, and this entry is no exception! Finding ourselves backstage once again with Mean Gene, Randy Savage begins explaining to the analyst that he could beat Larry Bird on a basketball court, before then informing the viewing audience of his friendship with musician Rod Stewart! Recounting a phone call between the two Macho explains that “Macho Madness is more seductive than sex.” Which is only made greater by Mean Gene’s reaction of, “You can’t say that on Tv!” Tying it all together is the ever slick Macho Man retorting, “I can say that.” We can’t argue with that logic!
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Not a Racist!
In today’s day and age being called a racist simply because of a minor disagreement seems an unfortunate common place. While many artists, actors, and celebrities have found themselves in headlines over remarks they may or may not have made decades ago that are now deemed “inappropriate” Macho Man Randy Savage made his stance very clear on the issue of race. Appearing as a guest on the Arsenio Hall Show, Randy Savage walked out to the set head to toe in full wrestling gear. Upon sitting down to start the episode, Arsenio moved an ottoman out of shot to discuss Macho’s boots. When he began his question by addressing the fact Savage was in fact wearing one white and one black boot, Macho was too quick on the draw blurting out, “I’m not a racist!” This is why we love you Randy!
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Snap Into It!
The Macho Man became a larger than life household name in part to his illustrious thEn WWF career, but it was his iconic Slim Jim commercials that brought The Macho King into homes to stay! One of the most quoted, imitated, and well known advertisements of all time, nothing since has seemed to have the lasting impact as that of Savages Slim Jim promotions! While they may have attempted to rekindle the magic in recent years, sorry Edge, but nothing will ever surpass the over the top enthusiasm of Randy Savage snapping into a Slim Jim!
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(Honorable Mention)
With so many iconic lines and promos to dig through its nearly impossible not to leave any out. However, it just wouldn’t feel right to exclude the iconic “Cream of The Crop” promo! While rather than any specific line, this entire promo is solid gold! From savage’s wild movements around a rather confused Mean Gene, to him pulling seemingly an unending amount of creamer from out of thin air, Randy Savage proves in this interview alone that he truly is The Cream of the Crop!
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Oh, Yeah!
It is absolutely impossible to talk about The Macho Man without mimicking his trademark, “Oh, Yeah!” Step aside Kool-Aid Man, The Macho King is the true innovator of the popular phrase. Present is almost every single Randy Savage promo ever recorded and transcending the world of spots entertainment, The Macho Man changed American Culture with his trademark voice and two simple words, Oh, Yeah!
