10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Jan 19)

9. Jim Johnston Had To Overcome Stage Fright At WrestleMania XIV

Shawn Michaels WrestleMania XIV
WWE.com

Any fan who has watched a WWE show over the past 30 years will have heard the musical talents of one Jim Johnston. For decades, Johnston worked as the promotion's main composer and produced countless entrance themes for the likes of Steve Austin, The Undertaker and The Ultimate Warrior.

At WrestleMania XIV, Jim was called upon to perform live with the 'DX Band' during Shawn Michaels main event entrance; peer at the above image and you'll see Johnston's face just sneaking into shot on the left hand side. Look closely and you're likely to see an expression of concern in his eyes. That's because Jim suffered from crippling stage fright.

On Sean Mooney's Prime Time podcast, Johnston admitted that he has always hated the idea of performing live in front of big crowds. 'Mania XIV played to over 19,000 people, so you can only imagine how nervous Jim was before his big moment.

According to Jimbo himself, he's much more comfortable locked away in a studio coming up with songs than playing them to fans.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.