PART 1: A Brief Introduction
There’s something to be said about heavy metal and pro wrestling. The mere mention of professional wrestling makes some people scoff and turn away, but so does metal. There is indeed a nice market for each of these forms of entertainment, and even a few subcultures (or sub-genres, if you will) within each field. With this in mind, heavy metal and pro wrestling are actually quite wonderful bedfellows and there is an incredible and undeniable connection between the too. Being seen as “underground” and “counterculture” by many, these two groups are quite connected, and in many ways now more than possibly ever. For the purposes of the article, we will include all forms of metal, from the more traditional to the nü-metal along with aspects of pro wrestling from the “big leagues” to the underground and independent promotions trying to make an impact on the scene.
PART 2: Looking At The Earlier Days
The Road Warriors
Going back to an earlier time of professional wrestling, one can look at the WWE (WWF at the time), you can see some major influence of the world of heavy metal in the characters and their personas, (or “gimmicks”). Legendary Tag-team The Road Warriors could be seen as a major “metal” act of the day, with their painted faces and spiked football padding type of gear. To further their connection and metal characters, the duo had utilized Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” as well as “War Machine” by Kiss and “Hellraiser” by Ozzy Osbourne as entrance themes throughout their careers.The Road Warriors (also known as the Legion Of Doom) were a no nonsense team, and had a very important influence on the world of pro wrestling, much like the bands and artists they used for their themes.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD50cL5CMAw]
In Addition to this, the aforementioned Ozzy Osbourne was present for Wrestlemania 2, acting as a manager to the British Bulldogs tag-team. Alice Cooper was also present at a Wrestlemania, serving as manager to the great Jake “The Snake” Roberts at Wrestlemania III. While these are among the earliest occurrences of a metal musician being physically present and involved in wrestling in some capacity, this would hardly be the last.
Ozzy at Wrestlemania 2
Alice Cooper and Jake “The Snake” Roberts
