When the lights go out in an arena, you usually expect a wall of sound to hit you. Pyrotechnics. Bass that rattles your teeth. But if you’re at an AEW show, the Chris Jericho theme song does something different. It turns the crowd into a choir. Thousands of people, many who probably couldn't hit a high note to save their lives, start screaming the lyrics to "Judas" by Fozzy. It’s loud. It’s haunting. It’s also one of the smartest business moves in the history of professional wrestling.
Honestly, we’ve seen plenty of great entrance tracks over the years. Stone Cold had the glass shatter. The Undertaker had the funeral toll. But "Judas" represents a shift in how music functions in sports entertainment. It’s no longer just a cue for a character to walk through a curtain; it’s a participatory ritual that blurs the line between the performer and the audience.
From Break the Walls Down to a Rock Anthem
For two decades, if you thought about Chris Jericho, you heard that iconic countdown. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Break the walls down! That track, produced by Jim Johnston, was the definitive sound of the "Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla." It was high energy, electronic, and scream-heavy. It fit the WWE's polished, high-production vibe perfectly.
But Jericho isn't someone who likes to stay stagnant. He’s obsessed with reinvention. When he left WWE and eventually landed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and then All Elite Wrestling, he knew he couldn't just bring the old luggage with him. He needed something that felt authentic to his real-life persona as the frontman of the heavy metal band Fozzy.
The Chris Jericho theme song transition wasn't just about brand synergy, though. It was about creating an atmosphere that felt more like a rock concert and less like a scripted TV show. "Judas," released on the album of the same name in 2017, was already a hit on active rock radio. By bringing it to the ring, Jericho bridged the gap between his two worlds.
The Night Everything Changed
The most famous moment involving "Judas" didn't happen because of a planned segment. It happened because the fans took over. On the February 12, 2020, episode of AEW Dynamite, Jericho was set to face Santana and Ortiz as part of the Inner Circle. The "Le Champion" era was in full swing.
As the song reached its first chorus, the music cut out.
The fans didn't stop. They kept singing. A Capella.
"I'm become, I'm become, I'm becoming... Judas in, Judas in my mind!"
It was chilling. It was the kind of organic moment that promoters dream of. Since then, the singalong has become a staple. Even when Jericho was a "heel" (the bad guy), people couldn't help themselves. They wanted to be part of the show. That’s the power of a well-placed anthem. It forces the audience to engage.
Why "Judas" Works When Other Songs Fail
Why do some songs stick while others feel like generic background noise? It’s usually about the hook. Most wrestling themes are repetitive loops. They are designed to be played for 60 seconds while someone walks 40 feet. "Judas" is a structured radio single with a clear verse-chorus-verse progression.
The lyrics actually matter here. They speak to betrayal, inner turmoil, and the "villain" archetype Jericho has played for years. It isn't just a "cool song." It's a narrative. When he sings about being a "cold heart of stone," he’s telling you exactly who his character is at that moment.
The Mechanics of the Singalong
- The Tempo: It’s slow enough that a crowd of 10,000 people can stay in sync. Fast songs get messy in large arenas because of the echo. "Judas" has a steady, anthemic pace.
- The Key: It’s in a range that’s easy for the "everyman" to shout-sing.
- The Emotional Connection: It feels epic. It feels like something important is happening.
Jericho has often talked about how he viewed the entrance as a "theatrical experience." He saw what the fans were doing in the UK—where singing at football matches is religion—and wanted to bring that flavor to the United States. He succeeded. Now, you see other wrestlers trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Seth Rollins has his "woah-oh" chants. Cody Rhodes has the "Woah!" in "Kingdom." But the Chris Jericho theme song remains the gold standard for full-lyric participation.
The Business of the Beat
Let's talk money and metrics for a second. Most people don't realize how much the Chris Jericho theme song did for Fozzy's career. Usually, a wrestler's music is owned by the promotion. When a wrestler leaves, they lose the song. By using his own band's music, Jericho created a self-sustaining marketing machine.
Every Wednesday night on national television, millions of people hear a Fozzy track. That leads to Spotify streams. That leads to concert ticket sales. It’s a genius loop. According to RIAA data, "Judas" was certified Gold in 2022. While the song was already doing well, there is no denying that its constant presence in AEW pushed it over the edge.
It also gives Jericho leverage. He owns his identity. If he decides to go to another promotion, "Judas" goes with him. He isn't beholden to a music department in a corporate office in Stamford, Connecticut. He’s the owner of his own soundtrack.
The Evolution: From Painmaker to The Learning Tree
Lately, Jericho has toyed with the music to fit his ever-evolving personas. When he leaned into the "Painmaker" gimmick—a darker, more violent version of himself—the entrance became more atmospheric. But he almost always comes back to the classic.
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Even as "The Learning Tree," a character built on being an overbearing, "helpful" veteran, the song remains the anchor. It’s funny, actually. The fans will boo him out of the building during a promo, but the second those opening chords of the Chris Jericho theme song hit, they are right back to singing every word. It proves that a great song can transcend a character's alignment.
Does it ever get old?
Some critics argue the singalong has become a bit "self-indulgent." In the world of wrestling Twitter (X), you’ll find plenty of people who think the bit has run its course. But walk into an arena and you’ll see the truth. The phones come out. People stand up. The energy in the room shifts. You can't fake that kind of engagement.
If it were boring, people would stop doing it. They haven't.
Lessons for Other Performers
If you’re an aspiring wrestler or even a content creator, there’s a massive lesson in the success of the Chris Jericho theme song.
- Ownership matters. If you can own the rights to your "vibe," do it.
- Invite the audience in. Don't just perform at people. Give them a job to do. Whether it’s a catchphrase or a song, people want to be part of the story.
- Consistency is key. Jericho didn't change the song every three months. He let it breathe for years until it became iconic.
The "Judas" era might eventually end. Jericho is a master of the pivot, and he might come out tomorrow with a jazz fusion track just to mess with us. But for now, that song is a testament to his longevity. It’s a reminder that in wrestling, what you hear is just as important as what you see in the ring.
To truly understand the impact, you have to look at the numbers. Fozzy went from being "that wrestler's band" to a legitimate touring force with multiple hits. "Judas" has surpassed 60 million views on YouTube. That’s not just wrestling fans watching; that’s a crossover hit. Jericho managed to use the platform of pro wrestling to cement his legacy in the music world, and vice versa.
What to Do Next
If you want to dive deeper into the history of wrestling music or improve your own brand's "sonic identity," start with these steps.
- Listen to the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast episodes where he breaks down the production of the song. He goes into detail about the songwriting process with Rich Ward.
- Watch the entrance from AEW Revolution 2020. It’s arguably the peak of the "Judas" fever and shows exactly how a crowd can elevate a performer.
- Compare the audio. Listen to "Break the Walls Down" and "Judas" back-to-back. Notice the difference in production. The former is a product; the latter is a piece of art.
- Check out Fozzy's newer tracks. Songs like "Sane" or "I Still Burn" follow a similar anthemic formula, showing that Jericho and his band have mastered the art of the stadium-rock hook.
Music in wrestling isn't just a gimmick. It’s the heartbeat of the show. And right now, that heartbeat sounds a lot like a heavy metal choir in a packed arena.