Mark Henry has made a passionate case for Jim Johnston’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, arguing that the legendary music composer deserves to be recognized alongside the wrestlers themselves rather than placed in a secondary category.
Speaking on Nailz Knows, Henry was discussing the importance of entrance music in professional wrestling when the conversation turned to Johnston’s legacy. Henry said Johnston’s contributions went far beyond background work and played a direct role in helping performers connect with audiences before they had even made a single move inside the ring.
“I don’t even think it should be the celebrity wing,” Henry said. “He need to be in with us. Jim Johnston deserves a place. He did something for pro wrestling that a lot of wrestlers haven’t been able to do.”
Henry expanded on why Johnston’s impact was so valuable, framing it through the lens of one of wrestling’s most important qualities, the ability to get others over. “It’s your job to get yourself over, it’s not always your job to get somebody else over,” Henry said. “But if you’re a guy who can get other people over, they’re going to use you to get others over, because you need multiples.”
Henry said Johnston’s ability to elevate performers across different eras and regardless of their position on the card was what truly separated him from most contributors in the industry’s history. “And Jim Johnston did that, with the good and with the bad,” Henry said.
Johnston spent decades as WWE’s primary music composer, creating entrance themes that became inseparable from the performers who used them. His work spanned some of the most significant periods in WWE history and produced themes for performers ranging from main event stars to developmental talent.
Johnston departed WWE in 2017 after more than three decades with the company. He has not been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at this time.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Nailz Knows with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
