New ‘Real American’ theme debuts without Hulk Hogan
▼ Summary
– M. G0MEZ is a former sports radio anchor from San Diego with a passion for pro wrestling since 1985, offering a unique perspective on sports entertainment.
– Hulk Hogan’s iconic entrance theme “Real American” debuted on WWE TV 40 years ago, but it was originally not intended for him.
– The song was first released on WWE’s 1985 album “The Wrestling Album” and was initially written for the tag team U.S. Express, Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda.
– After Windham left WWE, “Real American” was reassigned to Hulk Hogan, replacing his previous theme “Eye of the Tiger” by the end of 1985.
– “Real American” became a legendary benchmark for entrance music in WWE, especially as the company shifted to original in-house themes over licensed tracks.
The iconic anthem “Real American,” forever linked with Hulk Hogan, actually made its debut forty years ago for a completely different tag team. This fascinating piece of wrestling history reveals how a song intended for one act became the defining theme for another, cementing its legendary status for decades to come.
In the autumn of 1985, WWE launched its very first full-length musical compilation, The Wrestling Album. This record featured a collection of tracks performed by the company’s own superstars. Listeners were treated to a unique face-and-heel collaboration on “Land of a Thousand Dances” and enjoyed the funky beats of Junkyard Dog’s “Grab Them Cakes.” Yet, the album’s most powerful and memorable song was “Real American.”
“Real American” was originally composed for the former tag team champions Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, known collectively as the U.S. Express. The plan changed, however, when Windham departed from the company. This left WWE with a powerful and rousing theme song that had no one to use it, sitting on the shelf unused.
By the close of that same year, the song found its perfect match. The track was reassigned to Hulk Hogan, replacing his previous entrance music, Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” For those who love wrestling trivia, Hogan first marched to the ring with “Real American” blaring ahead of his match against his legendary rival, “Macho Man” Randy Savage. This historic first use occurred at Madison Square Garden on December 30, 1985.
As WWE strategically moved away from licensed music to develop its own library of original themes, “Real American” ascended to an unparalleled level of fame. It became the gold standard for entrance music, a benchmark against which all other themes are measured, maintaining its powerful resonance even today.
(Source: CAGESIDE SEATS)
