In recent years, the criticism of Def Rebel’s WWE music production has been under intense scrutiny from fans, with many complaints being made for various different reasons on the state of WWE theme music in 2024.
In asking about how WWE higher ups view the production company, sources told Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan that while WWE are aware of the fan backlash and are monitoring the reactions, as of earlier this year, there hadn't been a plan in action for them to be replaced.
However, on October 22, WWE posted a job listing looking to fill for "Director of Music Strategy and Operations." The listing consists of more on the administrative side and the growth of the music division and streamlining the department, as well as coordinating live events and performances. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful was told this wasn't specifically for a composer role as Jim Johnston once held, and that the job would also communicate with UFC, PBR, and other TKO properties.
In speaking to several WWE talents who are currently using Def Rebel’s themes, Brennan was met with frustration across the board with Def Rebel’s methods and the themes that they have produced, with several talents expressing negativity about their current theme music. When Sean Ross Sapp spoke with talent, many were never told outright why their theme music changed from the CFO$ era, even though they asked. The talent that we've heard back from say that they haven't had direct contact or met Def Rebel.
There have also been communications from those that work in production to both Brennan and Sapp that had noted that they would prefer a new method, with one source telling Sapp that they were hopeful for a more "motivated and personalized" approach to theme music.
One talent joked to Sapp that at one point all the members of Judgment Day, Damage CTRL, and Seth Rollins had the a very similar intro to their theme over a several year period. Although those were from Def Rebel in the latter two cases and Alter Bridge in the former. "For the period of a few years any one of a dozen people could have been coming out," the talent said, joking about the similarities.
Sources that spoke to Sapp had not heard of any imminent plan to utilize more licensed music as theme songs, as had been speculated. There were a few wrestlers who inquired about those rumors and were told that long-term clearances were issues in some cases. Licensed music is still expected to be featured as WWE works to integrate more artists into their shows and PLEs.
In another note about Def Rebel’s theme music, Brennan also learned that upon his return to WWE after Survivor Series last year, the theme music change that Fightful Select previously reported was indeed a Def Rebel remix of Orton’s iconic ‘Voices’ theme, with multiple different remixes being pitched to Orton since. Orton rejected them all. Contrary to popular belief, Sapp is told not every talent was approached or mandated for a theme adjustment from regime to regime. There are still some talent that use their Jim Johnston themes and haven't been approached for new ones across multiple regimes.
Def Rebel have been responsible for the production of WWE theme music for years. Sean Ross Sapp was told that there was a significant publishing issues between the members of CFO$, and WWE even tried to buy them out of their deal five years ago, but the publisher rejected. WWE was hoping to bring them in house, but talks got to a stand still and then eventually ran out, and the duo had a non compete with their publisher, and then disbanded. CFO$ publisher Arcade Songs owner Greg Wattenberg had helped establish connections from WWE with 12 Stones, Drowning Pool, Finger Eleven and Alter Bridge.
CFO$ would often take direct input from talent when working on their themes, but also had a library of themes produced to use.
This isn't confirmed, but the word in the industry was that WWE owned the publishing rights of Jim Johnston and Def Rebel's themes (per Arenataping) but only 50 percent of CFO$ themes. The group was no longer allowed to use the name, and we're told at least one of them left music altogether.
For those asking about a Jim Johnston run-in, we've been told repeatedly over the years that is unlikely as he's in his 70s. We've not heard of what his current relationship is with the company, but those that we've spoken to say that they wouldn't be surprised to see a bridge being built to acknowledgment under the new regime.
The TLDR is people internally understand the frustrations around Def Rebel, and the company is hiring someone to streamline a lot of music-related communications. CFO$ had a financial falling out with WWE and their publisher and are no longer together, with one leaving music. Jim Johnston isn't expected back.
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