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The life of a WWE Superstar can be taxing. From the pressure of performing on such a massive platform to maintaining their fitness and ensuring they don't get complacent, the pro wrestling business is a demanding one. To help cope with it, many Superstars branch out and try their hand at something else that can reinvigorate them and keep their passion alive.
While many modern-day WWE Superstars like Xavier Woods, Sheamus, and AJ Styles are into the world of video gaming, fitness, and streaming, others have tried their hand at music. One of the most popular wrestler-musicians today is AEW Superstar Chris Jericho. His band 'Fozzy' regularly tours, creates new music, and has been positively received by fans.
Apart from him, John Cena and R-Truth are accomplished musicians and have released music that received appreciation from both wrestling and general music fans.
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However, there are a few more WWE Superstars you may not know who ventured into the world of music. Though they achieved varying degrees of success, they nevertheless showcased their musical talents. Here in this article, we will look at five such Superstars. Do share the names of your favorite wrestler-musicians in the comments section below.
#5 Former WWE Superstar & WWE Champion Hulk Hogan
Arguably the most influential WWE Superstar of all time, Hulk Hogan was a musician before he changed tracks and decided to venture into pro-wrestling. In an interview in 2014, Hogan revealed that he was inclined towards music right from his school days and brought together all the other musicians he knew from his school to form a band after they graduated.
Naming it 'Ruckus', they were active for a few years before being dissolved, as all the members decided to go their separate ways.
A few years down the line in the year 1993, when Hogan had departed WWE and was negotiating a contract with WCW, he took some time off to create music and released an album called 'Hulk Rules' in 1995 as part of the band 'The Wrestling Boot Band.' Though it was critically panned, it has become a cult favorite in recent times.
Hogan's on-screen managerial figure Jimmy Hart was also a part of his band, as was his former wife, Linda Claridge. Since then, the legendary WWE Superstar has rarely ventured into the music world, except for hosting some radio shows on a few occasions.
#4 Former WWE Superstar Zack Ryder
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder was an internet sensation back in 2011-2012. His YouTube series Z! True Long Island Story was an unquestionable success that got him over with the fans.
It resulted in the company giving the WWE Superstar a run with the United States Championship as well. Though this success was short-lived, it led to Ryder trying out his hand in different creative fields, including music. Considering he had good vocal skills, Ryder released a single, 'Hoeski', produced under the WWE banner.
The song was released a while after the WWE Superstar had lost his place in the mid-card as he was yet again floundering in the lower-card, and as a result, the song didn't receive the kind of response it would have gotten had it come out a year earlier.
Since then, the two-time WWE Tag Team Champion hasn't ventured back into the music world despite receiving praises for his skills. He was released by WWE in April 2020 as part of the Covid-19 related budget cuts. Earlier this month, Ryder debuted for IMPACT Wrestling as Matt Cardona, his real name.
#3 Former WWE Superstar & Women's Champion Lita
WWE Superstar Lita is one of the most influential female athletes in the company's history. A four-time Women's Champion, Lita was a prominent part of WWE during the Attitude Era, which was arguably the best time to be a wrestling fan.
However, after returning from a neck injury in 2002, her career slowed down, as she found herself featured in other Superstars' rivalries.
Though Lita did have a few runs with the title during this time, the WWE Superstar retired from in-ring action at the relatively young age of 31 to pursue her interest in music.
Once Lita was out of WWE, she shifted her focus to her music band 'The Luchagors', the name of which was a homage to Lucha Libre. Even during her last WWE match at Survivor Series 2006, Lita wore a T-Shirt of her band, clearly indicating what lied ahead for her. The band released their only album in 2007, which was a self-titled studio venture. It was received moderately well, as it had around 10,000 downloads on iTunes.
Though Lita announced in 2012 that the band would release another album later in the year, nothing transpired, and the band dissolved in 2014 after an unsuccessful tour in the UK.
#2 WWE Superstar Mickie James
Six-time WWE Women's Champion Micke James is a trailblazer for women's wrestling in the company. At a time when female athletes hardly got any screen time to showcase their in-ring skills, the WWE Superstar regularly stole the show with her matches against other greats like Trish Stratus and Lita. In recent years, she has decidedly slowed down her in-ring career to focus on her passion for music.
She released her first album in 2010, an independently produced country music album called 'Strangers and Angels' on iTunes. For her second album, 'Somebody's Gonna Pay' in 2013, James took the route of crowdfunding and was able to generate more than double the money required. The title track featured her long-time on-screen rival and fellow WWE Superstar Trish Stratus and her husband, Nick Aldis.
Her contribution towards country music resulted in James being inducted into The Native American Music Hall of Fame. The three-time TNA Knockouts Champion released as many as three singles in 2019 and is focused on releasing more music in the coming years.
#1 WWE Superstar Jeff Hardy
Three-time WWE Champion Jeff Hardy is one of the most respected WWE Superstars active today. Though he has somewhat slowed down recently, he can still go out and have an entertaining match with any wrestler, no matter how varying their wrestling styles might be.
While he's still wrestling on a full-time basis, by appearing regularly on WWE RAW, the WWE Superstar does manage to find time to focus on his other interests as well. From motocross to painting to sculpting, Hardy is a man of many passions. However, it is music where he has found the most success, apart from wrestling.
Hardy dreamt of becoming a rock musician right from his childhood, and he finally took a step towards realizing his dream when he formed the band 'PeroxWhy?Gen' in 2003 with fellow wrestler Shannon Moore. Since then, the band has released three studio albums, with all of them performing well, critically and commercially.
Considering the kind of music he produces has a niche appeal, the band hasn't found mainstream success, though it is well liked among specific music lovers. Though they haven't released an album since 2017, hopes are they will return soon.
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