How “Bodies” by Drowning Pool Became the Soundtrack to AEW’s Anarchy in the Arena Chaos

AEW’s Double or Nothing lived up to its name with the wild Anarchy in the Arena match—but it wasn’t just the brawls, explosions, and staple guns that had fans talking. The real surprise came when Drowning Pool’s Bodies blasted through the speakers, instantly setting the tone for one of the most chaotic matches in company history. Now, we know exactly how that iconic moment came to life.

During a recent Oʻahu Recap + Live Q&A, Matt and Dana Massie were asked about how Bodies ended up as the entrance music for Anarchy in the Arena. Matt explained the track wasn’t the original plan—but it became the perfect choice at the last minute thanks to AEW boss Tony Khan.

“We were trying to get a different song—or at least I was. I pitched a couple, and I don’t even want to give them away in case we use them in a future Anarchy match.”

Then, just days before the show, Khan stepped in with a game-changing idea.

“Then Tony [Khan] finally came to me a couple of days before the show and said, ‘I have the greatest idea.’ And he pitched ‘Bodies.’ And I said, ‘1,000% yes. If you can get that song, that’s the song.’”

According to Matt, everything clicked from there.

“It all worked out. The crowd reaction was insane, and the kids got to experience it firsthand. That moment was really cool.”

The track played throughout the early portion of the match—until Claudio Castagnoli swung Swerve Strickland directly into a speaker, abruptly cutting the music off. That didn’t stop the carnage, though. The bout saw everything from Omega’s balcony moonsault to Swerve’s thumbtack-soled stomp and Willow being literally hung by her earring. HOOK returned, Mark Briscoe ran in, and The Opps ended the night standing tall after locking The Death Riders in an ambulance.

But none of it would’ve hit the same without that musical adrenaline rush.

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