Jim Johnston Criticizes 'Interchangeable' WWE Themes

The criticism of WWE's recent output of theme songs has reached an all-time high from its fans and talent this year, leading many to reminisce about the company's former composer, Jim Johnston, who is responsible for creating the most iconic entrance tracks in wrestling history. For years, fans have wanted Johnston to return, especially when Def Rebel became the primary group behind WWE's music, and during a recent interview with "Ropes N Riffs," the 74-year-old gave his honest opinion of the promotion's current theme songs and the overall state of its product.

"I mean, the themes used to really be tied to this human being and now it's coincidentally music that plays for the most part. There are exceptions of course, but it's music that coincidentally plays when wrestlers walk out to the ring and it's kind of interchangeable," he explained. "The storylines don't seem intense and I've heard from a lot of people that their biggest criticism is that storylines come out of nowhere and change too fast. Like suddenly these two guys hate each other but we're supposed to be really jacked up about that they hate each other except we have absolutely no idea why they hate each other."

Earlier this year, Johnston called WWE's theme music "generic" and claimed that it just "sounds like noise." Additionally, he feels that creating stars in WWE has become more difficult because of the lack of effort put into entrance themes. Johnston was behind recognizable tracks such as The Rock's "If You Smell" to The Undertaker's "Rest in Peace," and despite expressing interest in returning to his former role, he believes WWE wouldn't ask him to come back.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Ropes N Riffs" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.