Mega Ran details the process.
Shelton Benjamin made his AEW debut on the October 2 episode of AEW Dynamite. He then made his in-ring debut on the October 16 episode of AEW Dynamite. He has been using "Shining Forever" by Mega Fan and Mikey Rukus as his theme song.
In a feature published on PWMania.com, rapper and producer Mega Ran detailed the story of the making of the song. He noted that he reached out to Benjamin to see what he thought about the song.
"Easily the best theme song I ever had. It’s an amazing feeling to make an entrance to music that generates confidence, excitement and pride within me in a way none of my previous themes have. This song defines me! Mega Ran don’t miss," Benjamin said.
Mega Ran then recalled how the process started with a phone call from MVP, and they started discussing working on Benjamin's theme song. These talks included MVP asking Mega Ran to rap for the song. Mega Ran explained how he got the track from Rukus and wrote and recorded his lines on October 16. The song then debuted that same night on AEW Dynamite.
As for the lyrics, Mega Ran said that he wanted to overdeliver, and he talked to Benjamin about what he wanted to hear in the song. From there, he looked back on how Benjamin's journey in the wrestling world influenced the chorus.
"'Been grinding forever, I been trying forever…Now I’m shining forever. Cause I’m on another level…' Now we’re cooking. From there, the music just took over and charged up the next 16 bars. We wanted hurt, we wanted pain;, but we also wanted it known that Shelton had waited long enough for his spot, and it was time to collect.The Hurt Syndicate’s M.O is that it’s all about business– not friendships. They come dressed like it’s time to do business, and they’re no nonsense in the ring and out. That had to come through. No time for smiling or funny punchlines. Somewhere during the session it hits me that I’m writing a song for one of my all-time favorites – for a guy who I used to stay up late in wrestling chat rooms online defending –arguing that he should be champion…and now we’re chatting about Tekken and music choices. Life is wild, y’all," Mega Ran wrote.
Mega Ran also commented on the debut of the song, and he said that Benjamin's entrance was electric. He wrote that Benjamin looked great, and the song sounded good. He also said that he was honored to be part of Benjamin's return.
"As hyped as I was to turn the song in, nothing could’ve prepared me for the electricity in Shelton’s entrance when he debuted the song on AEW Dynamite on October 16, 2024. The graphics. The lighting. That pop. He looked like a million bucks, and the song sounded GOOD out of those speakers. I’m just honored to be a small part of a legendary athlete’s return to greatness. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Shelton," Mega Ran wrote.
Josh Barnett recently commented on Shelton Benjamin potentially competing in Bloodsport. Check out his comments here.
Click here to see what Kyle Fletcher had to say about wrestling Shelton Benjamin.
Fightful will have coverage of AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming as it airs on December 11, as well as a post-show podcast.
