Prepare to feel the nostalgia.
Back in 1999, the World Wrestling Federation had a seemingly lock-right stranglehold on the impressionable minds of Ireland's youth. Wrestling memorabilia flew off the shelves in Toymaster, Smyths, and Golden Discs shops all over the country, but one CD stood out from the rest. 'WWE The Music Vol. 4' was the type of album that either randomly emerged as a gift for a young wrestling fan on Christmas Day, or the type of thing you absolutely begged your Mother to buy you, but once you had it in your possession, it was absolute gold.
Here is why:
Track 1 - Chris Jericho
What a start. Kids all over the country were trying 'The Walls Of Jericho' on their friends and younger siblings, while screeching the iconic intro of "Break tha walls dooooooooooooooooooooown!!".
Track 2 - Big Show
In my opinion a candidate for best wrestling intro song ever, this track was so good that I actually caught my own father bopping along to this while it was playing in the car.
Track 3 - Vince McMahon
Simply iconic. The boss's own music for when he came out to the ring to tell some poor soul that the promise he made him was in fact bullshit, or when Vinnie fancied a go himself and competed in a pair of business slacks.
Track 4 - Mark Henry
No comment needed.
Track 5 - Test
What was once the intro to the typical 'Attitude' era wrestler, is now a tribute to his memory. RIP Test.
Track 6 - Mankind
And here is the one you've all been waiting for. Easily one of the best ever wrestling intros for an entertainer who's popularity was completely universal. Everyone loved Mick Foley and everyone loved this intro music.
Track 7 - Stone Cold Steve Austin
This beautifully blatant Limp Bizkit ripoff was music to the ears of a new generation of pre-teens who loved skateboarding and hated the system, but still wanted to go shopping with their mum so they could buy the cereal with the best toy in it.
Track 8 - D'lo Brown
Before John Cena and all them started rapping their own intros, there was D'lo Brown. What a hero.
Track 9 - Christian
Before Edge and Christian burst onto the scene as a dynamic tag-team duo, Christian had a weird brood/vampire thing going on.
Track 10 - Billy Gunn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFZj6Fnq4G4
This hilarious track was the intro for former DX henchman Bad Ass Billy Gun. It provided many laughs for my 10 year old self and no doubt countless others throughout the World.
Track 11 - Undertaker
That distinctive sound at the very start that signifies Undertaker's imminent arrival. Best played in the dark. Absolutely iconic.
Track 12 - Triple H & Chyna
The power couple of the WWE until Stephanie McMahon had to shove her big nose in.
Track 13 - Edge
You think you know me? This one of the more popular ones and I think it had a brilliant titantron montage playing in the background during his entrance.
Track 14 - The Rock
IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
Simply put, this was the tune that defined a generation.
So that's our little tribute to WWF The Music Vol. 4, share with us your memories of a defining piece of wrestling memorability, or any of the other CDs that you think may have a shout at dethroning Vol. 4.
