2. Jerry Lawler - The Great Gate At Kiev (Mussorgsky)
Wrestling royalty have often used classical music for their ring entrances, hoping to gain that extra bit of sophistication by association. On the whole, their reigns are short-lived, coronated with paper crowns before the next 'King of the Ring' comes along. Jerry Lawler is the exception. The veteran Memphis grappler's regime has lasted since the '70s, and he is the only man in wrestling unequivocally known as 'The King'. For almost three decades, Lawler has employed a theme more imperial than regal, yet one nevertheless sufficiently majestic. Written to accompany Viktor Hartmann's grand architectural scheme in honour of Tsar Alexander II, Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at the Exhibition' is an embodiment of Imperial Russia's illustrious power and importance. The same applies to Lawler, though with added connotations of smugness and superiority as the character would lord himself over the 'peons' in the crowd. https://youtu.be/FncXqa14ANE The theme was entirely suitable for Lawler, his King persona having been honed and refined across a tenured wrestling career. Yet the same could not be said of Lawler's previous incumbent Haku. The Pacific island hard-man previously used the music during his brief stint as WWF 'King'. After he was dethroned, the music was not used again until the real deal's arrival in the company. https://youtu.be/ws9hRYmArMA
Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know).
He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.
