Titus O’Neil, WWE Global Ambassador and recipient of the 2020 Warrior Award, sees a clear, powerful connection between professional wrestling and hip hop, viewing both as monumental cultural forces that unite people across all boundaries.
“I’ve been a wrestling fan and a hip hop fan all my life,” O’Neil shared. “Wrestling and hip hop are synonymous with one another as far as the growth and bringing people together from all walks of life; doesn’t matter what color, race or religion.”
A Unifying Cultural Force
For O’Neil, the impact of both genres extends far beyond entertainment. He highlighted how hip hop has transformed various cultures, drawing people together through music, art, and film. He believes World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and the world of professional wrestling have achieved the same profound, unifying effect.
His love for the squared circle is a lifelong passion, one he shared with his family. “As a kid I watched Monday Night Rawwith my grandmother every Monday night and Saturday Morning Slam every morning with my grandmother,” he recalled.
Now a part of WWE and an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame as a Warrior Award recipient, O’Neil notes that the intersection of wrestling and hip hop is more evident than ever.
Hip Hop and the Crossover Theme
O’Neil pointed to the current roster of WWE Superstars whose presentation is heavily influenced by hip hop culture. He specifically mentioned names like Bianca Belair, The Street Profits, and The New Day, noting how their ring entrances and themes continue to incorporate the genre.
This cultural osmosis, he argues, has created a unique form of crossover music. It’s not the “traditional crossover music” one might expect, but the distinct sounds created for professional wrestling themes are now recognizable and celebrated in other arenas.
“Pro wrestling themes have now become crossover music,” O’Neil stated. “You go to a football game or a basketball game and you’ll hear The Undertaker’s gong go off!”
The immediate recognition of these iconic sounds—from the guitar riffs of a champion to the tolling bell of a legend—demonstrates how wrestling’s music, much like hip hop, has transcended its original medium to become a universal cultural shorthand.
