10 Wrestling Guitarists Ranked From Worst To Best
How does The Drifter match up with past wrestling rockers?
Summertime is full of beaches, road trips, and WWF ice cream bars. Man, they were so delicious.
Outdoor concerts are also a summer pastime, which WWE has tapped into by featuring Elias Samson in such a prominent manner over the past few weeks. The Drifter was a beloved act in NXT, whose guitar-strumming has effectively transitioned to Monday Night Raw. It’s one of those rare characters whose appeal stretches beyond the confines of Full Sail University, and hopefully, Vince McMahon won’t change it before more fans grow accustomed to the King of Song Style.
The guitarist is a classic gimmick that has circulated pro wrestling since at least the 1980s. Promoters continue to dust off the gimmick because it not only connects music with wrestling, luring nonfans in with familiar entertainment, but also allows the performer to use a staple in the genre: the prop. Sometimes all it takes is an accessory for talent to become stars – imagine Jim Duggan without the 2x4 or Jake Roberts without his snake.
These men have used a guitar to varying degrees of success, from enhancing their presentation to building their legend.
10. Van Hammer
'Heavy Metal' Van Hammer was your stereotypical metalhead who
looked like Randy 'The Ram' Robinson’s twin. He debuted in WCW at Clash of the
Champions in September of 1991, having wrestled only a couple matches before
being thrust upon television. Although Dusty Rhodes booked him as a star, his
lack of in-ring experience was evident.
As was his musical experience – Hammer didn’t know how to
play guitar. He didn’t even fake it, preferring to just carry and swing the
instrument over his head during his entrance. Fans quickly detected the subterfuge
and soured on the poser.