WWF Aggression

by

Various Artists

Edit

WWF Aggression reminds me a lot of the "Blade" movie soundtrack. This time around though, rap stars perform songs inspired by WWF Superstars. The best of the bunch is Run DMC's take on DX's theme music. Mankind's song was all right, although with Kool Keith and ODB on the mike, it would've been nifty mixing Mick Foley's other themes/personas (Dude Love & Cactus Jack). Theme #3 is the People's Champion (with Method Man supplying the rhymes). It might not be the most electrifying song on the CD, but it doesn't matter what I think! Snoop Dogg & W.C. throw down on Steve Austin's inspired "Hell Yeah" (get well soon Stone Cold). Mr. Vince McMahon's "No Chance" gets a nice makeover courtesy of Redman, Rock (from Heltah Skeltah) and Peanut Butter Wolf. Song #6 was the surprise of the bunch. C Murder and Magic should submit "I Won't Stop" to the "Blade 2" soundtrack! Tha Eastsidaz rhyme to the rythm of Kane's "Big Red Machine." Y2J's theme is good enough by itself, though RA The Rugged Man does a decent job on the mic. The NAO theme is another selection that's better in it's original format, but for the sake of hip-hop art, Bad Azz (not Billy Gunn) and Techniec kick in the jams. As far as the Godfather's theme, Ice T was the logical choice for Pimpin' Ain't Easy Man. HHH's theme is yet another song that's good enough left alone, then along come Mystikal & Ras Kass to change my opinion. This one's another of my unexpected favorites. Mack 10, K Mac, Boo Kapone & MC Eiht do a decent take on the Big Show's song, and wrapping up this eclectic CD, (Dame Grease Presents) Meeno brings it home with the Undertaker's "Ministry".

Overall, keeping the "original" entrance music and "inspired by" selections on separate CD's was a good decision by the WWF. "Aggression" has a better repeat listen potential than WCW's "Mayhem" from a few months ago. If you like pancakes, give it a try and you'll never, eeeeeeeeeeeever regret it again!

The hype was tremendous, the names well known--What went wrong?

First, to clarify a couple of things. WWF Agression is a rap-oriented CD. If you detest rap so much that you refuse to buy rap music, this is not for you. If you are expecting rock music of any kind, go somewhere else. Agression is also not the original themes of these wrestlers. If you want those, they can be found on the various WWF: The music CDs.

What we do have are numerous remixed themes of various superstars by big-time rap names, with a mixed bag result.

Here's the good: Run DMC brings in an excellent remix of the Degeneration X theme, which is probably the strongest selling point on the album. Kane and the Undertaker's themes also get star treatment, with the original elements of the songs not suffering from the addition of the rap. Big Show's theme was always a disappointment, but the remix actually improves it. "No Chance," the remix of the MacMahon family theme, was not bad, and Jericho's new theme is interesting, though I prefer the original.

And, of course, the bad: Wreck? Mankind's theme could have used some touchups, but clearly this was not the way to go. The Rock's theme is boring, though it was not completely without merit. Austin's theme gets the treatment from Snoop Dog, with a song best left for the wolves. Ice-T's version of the Godfather's theme was better live, and had little merit on the disc.

All in all, there are several songs on here that are worth it, even years afterwards. The remixes of the themes for DX, Kane, and Undertaker are by far the best on the album, but may not be enough to pique your interest.

Caveat emptor.