WrestleMania Performer and Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dead at 48

Sam Rivers, longtime bassist for Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond music.

Wrestling fans in particular will remember how integral Rivers and his band were to WWE’s history. Limp Bizkit’s hit song “My Way” famously soundtracked the build-up to The Rock vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania X-7—an iconic hype package still regarded as one of the greatest in wrestling history. The band also performed live at WrestleMania XIX, cementing their place in WWE lore.

Beyond WWE, Rivers was one of the defining bassists of the nu-metal era, helping shape Limp Bizkit’s sound through decades of chaos, energy, and anthems that became the soundtrack of an entire generation. The band broke the tragic news in a heartfelt tribute, calling Rivers the heartbeat of their music.

*“In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers 💔

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Today we lost our brother.
Our bandmate.
Our heartbeat.

Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic.
The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.

From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.

We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.

He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human.
A true legend of legends.
And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory.

We love you, Sam.
We’ll carry you with us, always.

Rest easy, brother.
Your music never ends.”*

Rivers’ passing is a painful loss for both the music world and wrestling culture. His bass lines not only shaped Limp Bizkit’s legacy but became forever tied to WWE’s most unforgettable moments.

Do you think “My Way” is still the greatest WrestleMania hype video track of all time? Share your memories of Sam Rivers and his connection to wrestling in the comments.