Former WWE standout Roderick Strong made his All Elite Wrestling debut last week on Dynamite. Strong saved his longtime friend Adam Cole from the Jericho Appreciation Society.
His appearance in AEW actually came as a bit of a surprise to his former colleagues, and Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer reported that few in WWE were aware of his departure despite Strong asking for his release around a year ago.
Strong entered the arena to the tune of Killswitch Engage’s 2004 metal core classic “The End Of Heartache.”
Metal, rock and punk have frequently crossed over with professional wrestling, and AEW has become known for paying for the rights to various tunes. Months back, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks took to using the legendary Kansas song “Carry On Wayward Son” to make their entrances.
AEW has also paid for the licenses to use Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” (CM Punk), the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind” and Jefferson Starship’s “Jane” (Orange Cassidy) as well as Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” (Jungle Boy). The company also tried to license Europe’s “The Final Countdown” for Bryan Danielson, but the price tag was reportedly too high.
Kansas vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt told the “Paltrocast” that he’s thrilled that Omega and The Bucks are using the band’s song.
“I saw that video where they’re walking out in the stadium, and all the people are going nuts,” Platt said. “Oh my God, that was so cool.”
The 39-year-old Strong made his name wrestling for ROH and TNA before signing with WWE in 2016. His most significant success came when he joined Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly in The Undisputed Era, winning the NXT North American Championship and NXT Tag Team Champions twice.
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