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Joining us today is none other than Mega Ran! Mega Ran is a multifaceted artist known for his work in music, wrestling themes, and education. John Kiernan and Mega Ran discuss his journey, his collaborations with wrestlers such as how MVP tapped him to rap on Shelton Benjamin's AEW theme, and how he navigates his diverse passions.

The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in creative work, the impact of music on wrestling, and the significance of community in the creative process.

Mega Ran shares insights into his experiences working with notable figures in wrestling and music, including his contributions to AEW and his memorable moments during the Uso's and New Day rap battle, meeting Okada backstage at WWE RAW, and merging all of his amazing musical passions into what you know and love as the one and only Mega Ran.

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About The Show:

Do you like wrestling? Do you like music and stories from the road? Join John Kiernan, wrestling entrance theme song composer, and professional musician of over 10 years for stories and interviews with your favorite wrestlers, rock stars, and personalities!

About the Host:

John Kiernan is a wrestling entrance theme song composer with over 150 themes written for wrestlers in various promotions such as NJPW, WWE, ROH, MLW, and many more. As a professional musician, a veteran in the podcasting space, an avid pro wrestling fan and wrestling personality by way of creating the soundtracks for your favorite wrestlers, John Kiernan forges his latest podcasting venture into diving into stories of music, stories from the road, and wrestling from all walks of life from your (and his) favorites of all time.

#music #wrestling #ropesnriffs #johnkiernan #megaran #sheltonbenjamin

Welcome to the Ropes and Riffs podcast.

2

And today with me, I don't even know how to introduce you because you're all over the

place doing things.

3

I say, Hey, you did the Hurt Syndicate song and then you've got this record and you do so

much.

4

So for those who are familiar with you and those who are going to get even more familiar

with you, please welcome my guest today, Mega Ran.

5

How's it going, my dude?

6

Hey, what's up?

7

I'm doing great, man.

8

How are you?

9

I'm doing all right.

10

And it is so apropos that you're wearing the Hurt Syndicate shirt because first off, the

Hurt Syndicate is amazing.

11

And I think everybody who's listening and watching this would agree with that.

12

They've been doing some banger work on there.

13

And obviously you have been the voice on Shelton Benjamin's version of the Hurt business.

14

I guess we'll say suite of pieces there in AEW.

15

Yes, yes.

16

Yeah, the shirt just came in.

17

I think I just got it yesterday.

18

So it was right on time for the podcast.

19

But but yeah, the Shelton song was kind of how it all started for me.

20

And I got to thank MVP for that.

21

He's been a he's been a friend for a while.

22

And even back like probably before he got back in the WWE, you know, I remember him being

on the Indies and just running into him a lot.

23

And and we have a very similar palette of music taste.

24

And I remember just talking to him about just anime and video games and music and just

like having a whole lot in common on that side of things.

25

And so, yeah, that kind of led to where most of my relationships with wrestlers are.

26

It's usually the thing outside of wrestling that keeps us like friendly, you know, it's

like being able to talk.

27

I would imagine you don't want to talk about work a bunch when you.

28

when you're engulfed in it.

29

So I guess being able to talk to somebody about all the other things you like are

enjoyable.

30

So all of my wrestling buddies love video games, anime, or you know, or we have music

tastes in common.

31

We see that all the time.

32

We see now all these other influences also influencing what's happening in wrestling too.

33

And like you said, when you can connect with somebody, not just on, you know, the work

that they're doing, but also the things that inspire them and influence them.

34

That's awesome.

35

And MVP has always come off to us, at least to me, MVP has always come off as somebody

that has all these different influences and is somebody who, like you said, if you're

36

showing him the respect, he'll show the respect back to you.

37

But as we've seen with the media scrum with AEW, you you gotta ask the right questions

too.

38

you know, and you know, I got like weird mixed feelings about these scrums nowadays

because like how much of it is is real and how much of it is in character, you know what I

39

mean?

40

Like I think you got to come into it realizing that people, you know, are using this

opportunity to build and continue their character as well, you know, do character work.

41

So this isn't really the time where they're going to maybe let their guard down and give

you the most, you know, sincere answer.

42

Because a lot of these guys are they're fresh out of the whatever event.

43

They just had the adrenaline still flowing and You know, they're very much in character

So, you know, I hope people don't get too, know upset or hurt when they when they get shut

44

down at these scrums because like They're not real like you know to be like they can't be

so I just you know I take it with a little bit of green of salt.

45

Like I definitely am highly entertained.

46

I got to sit in on one at at all in

47

this past year in London and I didn't even ask a question.

48

I had some good questions, but the people who asked questions, I was like, come on, I had

something better than that.

49

Like, come on.

50

And sometimes one question, one kind of bad question can just set the mood and that person

just can immediately start shutting down, batting down questions.

51

So yeah, it's a very interesting place to be for sure.

52

But I enjoy it.

53

It's very entertaining for sure.

54

yeah, and I felt like when I did the media scrum for Full Gear recently, you know, I was

listening to a lot of the other people in the media ask questions and you know with our

55

show here with Ropes and Rifts, we talk about music, we talk about wrestling, and we talk

about wrestling entrance themes, right?

56

So for me sitting there, I wanted to ask a question, but I know for me being the first

time in a media scrum, I'm like, what kind of questions should I ask that doesn't come off

57

as weird?

58

And you know, I was like, you know what, just be confident.

59

Ask a question that relates to something.

60

And the question I had asked a private party was who should play you to the ring in 2025,

if you get that opportunity and how their faces lit up with their answers.

61

It was just like, for me, it was a revitalizing thing to be like, okay, cool.

62

You can ask these questions and really get in a different place with those questions too.

63

So I was happy that I was able to kind of put that question out there, but it wasn't like

a, Hey,

64

Who are you gonna wrestle next?

65

Or would you like to wrestle Taylor Swift?

66

We remember that one, ladies and gentlemen.

67

We remember that one.

68

Pepperidge Farm remembers.

69

So you've done a lot of different things in the music industry.

70

One of the things I love about you is how not only is the music that you write amazing,

and anyone that has heard Mega Ran knows that.

71

Anyone that hasn't will pause this, go listen to it, come back.

72

Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen.

73

but you do so many different things.

74

You do things in wrestling, you do things completely outside of that.

75

I believe that you also do a lot in education as well.

76

So you have this wide gamut of different things that you do within music.

77

And we're gonna talk about the wrestling stuff in a second, but for you, what is the, for

you, how do you navigate going between all these different things in music?

78

Well, it's not too difficult because I love them all equally.

79

You know, so I'm just as passionate about education and children as I am about pro

wrestling and video games.

80

So So when these opportunities come there, it's an easy It's an easy transition for me to

be like, yeah I'm like like this is just part of the brain and work on this thing and I

81

feel like I used to think like maybe wrestling is off-brand for what I'm doing in the kids

music space or maybe You know comic books or things that are maybe teen oriented or a

82

little off-brand for this but

83

I've been able to make it all work and I think there's no profanity in my music.

84

I feel like the vibe is always positivity.

85

And so it always kind of works.

86

You know what I mean?

87

I just did a song for Mortal Kombat and then turned around and made a children's album.

88

So I was like, well, how is this gonna work?

89

But I'm somehow able to make it work.

90

think that just having a little piece of me shine through in each one of these projects

is...

91

It's something that people come to me for.

92

So I don't take it lightly and I make sure that I give my all to that thing, but also make

sure it's it's me, you know, so I'm not going outside of myself or what I would do or what

93

I would say when I'm making these things.

94

But yeah, it's it's it used to be a lot more difficult, but now I realize, you know, not

overthinking it is kind of the key and just, you know, just falling in love with the

95

process and just really loving that the art of just starting with nothing.

96

and then just working my way into something cool, you know.

97

I love that because like you said, there's so much in music that you can do and you can go

from working on Mortal Kombat, working in wrestling, working in video games, and then

98

doing a kid's record too.

99

And you know, with my wife and I, we run a music school here in New Jersey also.

100

And so for us, music education is huge.

101

work, you know, same with you, you work with people of different ages, you work with

children, and it's kind of funny sometimes to bridge that little gap there.

102

where it's like, okay, cool.

103

You're the person sometimes that they see to take their guitar lesson or their drum lesson

or for you again, they're coming across the music that you've written for kids.

104

And then all of a sudden it's like, hey, if you like this, check this out.

105

it's so, it's such a different dynamic for us with like the parents coming in and they're

like, you do that thing too.

106

It's pretty cool.

107

So I love the fact that you're able to bridge all of that too.

108

And you're like, man, at the end of the day, it's music.

109

And like you said, it's what inspires you.

110

It's what gets you going.

111

The fact that you love it so much translates to everybody else too, I'm sure.

112

100 % I've heard people say that like man I don't even like wrestling but your passion for

it is what makes me now I want to start watching you know same with like my passion for

113

video games or anything else you know it's it comes through in the music and when it does

that there are people that will be like well he's so excited about it then I better see

114

what the fuss is all about you know like I've been able to convert a lot of my fans to

wrestling fans 100 %

115

That's awesome.

116

So let's talk a little bit too.

117

Let's dive a little bit into the wrestling side here too, because you've worked with first

off the way that I had also come to hear about your work was through wrestling with

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Wregret.

119

Cause I'm a fan of that channel.

120

Shout out to Brian Zane.

121

Brian is the man and he's been the man for almost a decade now.

122

So good on you, my friend.

123

And you know, the theme that he had before was good.

124

And then all of a sudden comes in this awesome mega ran.

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which is completely different from all that.

126

And I thought it fit then, I think it fits now.

127

I love the music.

128

Tell us a little bit about how you got started with Brian Zane.

129

man, I think it was during pandemic.

130

mean, I just, you know, of course we all just started binging content nonstop.

131

And I think I just went through the beginning of wrestling with regret and just worked my

way all the way up during pandemic.

132

And I was just like, this show is so great.

133

And so I was doing a variety show where I would bring on people guests to just chat.

134

And I had him come on.

135

We had a we would have a musical guest and then like a wrestling adjacent guest and just

have fun with this show.

136

And he came on and talked and we had a really great talk.

137

And then afterwards, he's like, hey, I've never had you on the channel, but would you be

interested in working on something?

138

I'm around the 10th anniversary.

139

And maybe it was like the eighth anniversary or something like that.

140

And and he's like.

141

I just got these tapes of the UWF, the Urban Wrestling Federation.

142

Are you familiar with this?

143

This is, this is...

144

Amazing.

145

It's like Def Jam Vendetta meets like real wrestling.

146

It's insane.

147

So he's like Can you watch this and just like give me some thoughts on it and I'm like

Yeah So I watch it and I'm like what the heck but it's so crazy.

148

So Wow like some of our favorite people of today just show up randomly on it and Eddie

Kingston's just randomly there like all kind of stuff and so

149

this was so entertaining and he's like, well, would you like to do a little bit of like

commentary on it for the channel?

150

And I'm like, yeah.

151

And so I did it and the episode came out really cool.

152

And he's like, all right, well, how about a bonus at the end of that episode, you do a new

version of my theme since it's like an anniversary.

153

And I was like, okay.

154

I started writing some things.

155

I like, what do want me to say?

156

You know, and he's like, well some of my classic characters and people I use, know, and

I'm like, okay good and I just benched the entire show So I'm like perfect.

157

All right, we got to talk about old man Tronson different characters and and so I wrote

that

158

And first, I couldn't think of a beat necessarily to work on.

159

So I had it kind of in my head, but all to no music.

160

And I'm walking around, I'm just thinking, wrestling with, forget, let's get it.

161

And I'm just humming these things and I'm like, wait, I think I got it.

162

And then I sit down.

163

We work on this track and the track has this great horn section that goes.

164

And I was like, yes, that's it.

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I sleep with regret.

166

Let's get it.

167

So finish the song.

168

was super excited about it.

169

And he's like, my God, this is it.

170

This is so great.

171

Can I use this right now?

172

And I'm like, yes.

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He's like, can I use this for all the episodes?

174

And I'm like, yeah, man.

175

Like, absolutely.

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So, yeah, that's kind of how it happened, man.

177

But again, it's my it's it's the same story, man.

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It's like my passion.

179

for the thing kind of like showing through him being like, snap, you actually know my

stuff, you know, and this sounds like it's from a by a fan, you know.

180

So I think that's super important, you know, in wrestling music anyway.

181

For the most part, it seems like and it's not just wrestling, but most corporate entities

when it's time for them to come up with a new jam, they usually reach out to whoever the

182

biggest person of the moment is.

183

They're like, man, who let's get, I don't know, dead mouse or Steve Aoki or Megan Thee

Stallion or like just it's always some humongous star who isn't necessarily a fan of the

184

product, but can just give you that rub with mainstream media, you know.

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And it makes guys like me who are like legit fans feel like, man, like I think you can get

a better product if you go to the community.

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And I think A.W.

187

has done such a great job with that.

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with the Who We Are compilations that I was a part of.

189

So many different things where they're like, all right, well, can you write a song about,

I don't know, Scorpio Sky?

190

And we're like, absolutely, you know, like telling their story, not just like, I'm gonna

beat you up, you know, just as, you know, one of those kinds of songs.

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But yeah, I think that AEW's done a great job of reaching out to the community and keeping

people who are actually interested in the product.

192

Involved in the creation of you know some of the elements and assets that go around those

characters because it shows you know What it's done with love, you know, I mean it's great

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to go high get the Elton John song and you know and Metallica and I like that stuff is

super cool But I do appreciate when they go to actual fans to create, you know the content

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around Around these wrestlers like it's it's it feels different.

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It's different, you know

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Yeah, I agree.

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And you can feel the difference too.

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You know, and I agree 100 % with what you're saying about AEW.

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And even since the inception, you've seen that they've been really willing to, you know,

work with other creators, work with outside of the industry and really try to bring people

200

in to create a really interesting artistic environment, you know.

201

It doesn't feel as insular as maybe the last 10, 15, 20 years has.

202

And, you know, for me, it was kind of my entry into working with even a bigger company to

working on the Sting EP, working on some themes for wrestlers going into AEW.

203

And it's so interesting to feel like, wow, this is a promotion that's trying to really

bring the best out of their talent, but also really give back and bring in people from

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that community.

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Absolutely, and I got a shout out Mikey Rukus for for the job.

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He's done You know because it's not just you know what I mean like I think that's the sign

of a great You know mind or a great producer is just knowing when to reach out You know

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what I mean when to bring other folks in and say hey look this person really specializes

in this

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particular niche or this person can reach this type of a fan or this person speaks from

this particular perspective.

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So let me go and reach out.

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So Mikey Rukus could easily, he's the, these are the head, the final decision in the AEW

music.

211

So he could easily say I'm producing everything.

212

I'm writing everything.

213

I'm singing on everything.

214

I'm rapping on everything.

215

But yet he says, you know what?

216

This guy is really good at this thing.

217

Let me go and hire them.

218

This guy is great on guitar, bring him in.

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This guy is great here at Legs.

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So that's the sign of a great producer.

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I think it's just knowing when to reach out for help, when to bring in people to

accentuate the talent that's already there.

222

so yeah, I'm just like a huge fan of what he does.

223

And I always appreciate that he's willing to bring folks in on the inside and help for the

greater good, to make something better.

224

And let's also keep in mind, it's not like he couldn't do it on his own.

225

I mean, he has all these skills.

226

He's a great guitarist.

227

He's a great instrumentalist.

228

He's a great composer.

229

He's got, he's a great rapper.

230

does all these different things.

231

He's a great screamer too.

232

Something very, very underutilized.

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He's an amazing screamer.

234

But like you said, he's like, here's this thing I'd like to work with you on or this or

this.

235

And the other thing, having worked with him also, he's a great communicator too.

236

And that's something when you work with other musicians sometimes that you want to be able

to make sure is, Hey, I need this from you.

237

Great.

238

You did this.

239

Now here's what I need.

240

When we worked on the Sting EP, it was done in like that song that we did for retro sing.

241

That thing was done in like three days.

242

I'd send him pieces that he needed.

243

And then he's like, okay, cool.

244

This is great.

245

Now here's what I need you to do here, here and here.

246

And it was like the simplest thing.

247

was like, okay, cool.

248

Record the guitar.

249

Here are the ways that I need it recorded.

250

Here are the different stacks that I need.

251

Do a solo here, we'll do it here.

252

Listen to this measure.

253

And it was just like, again, being able to collaborate with somebody who's a great

collaborator.

254

The communication piece, I think, is one of Mikey's biggest strengths too.

255

100%.

256

Yeah, here we go.

257

Yep.

258

Yep.

259

The Mikey Rukus love fest.

260

Absolutely.

261

So let's dive a little bit more into some of the themes that you've done.

262

So let's start with your shirt and let's start a little bit with Shelton Benjamin.

263

I know that you said that you had connected with MVP, but they've had a couple of

different themes that represent the Hurt syndicate, whether it's just Bobby Lashley or

264

Shelton or the group as a whole.

265

So you meet MVP and.

266

then you end up with the amazing song for Shelton Benjamin.

267

Walk us a little bit through how you had gotten connected to do that theme and kind of

what your thought was with creating a theme for Shelton.

268

man, so yeah, like this is, let me think, MVP hits me up on like a Monday night and I

think it's right before Shelton's about to debut and he says, hey, I just heard Shelton's

269

music and it sounds like something from Final Fantasy.

270

And I was like, really?

271

He's like, yeah, it sounds like an epic boss theme from like a Final Fantasy or like a big

role playing game.

272

And I was like, okay, go on.

273

And he's like, I told him this needs like an epic rap.

274

And and and Shelton was like, well, you know, I don't know anybody who can do an epic rap.

275

And MVP's like, well, I do, you know, and he kind of pitches me like, man, you got to hear

Mega Ran.

276

I think he's great for this kind of thing.

277

And and then he connects me with Shelton.

278

And so I hit up Shelton and I'm like, hey, I need to get from you like what you want to

hear in this song.

279

what you want this to be like, what it to feel like when you come out there, you know?

280

And he's like, I want it to feel like I'm not playing any games and I'm here to hurt

people.

281

And I'm like, okay.

282

And he's like, yeah, I want like some Tekken vibes.

283

And I was like, Tekken?

284

Okay.

285

and he loves Tekken and his favorite character is Heihachi and Heihachi is like the old

man you don't want to mess with so when he I was like well what does Heihachi say and he's

286

like well Heihachi has this one line where he says I'll snap you like a twig and and I was

like that's badass and and I'm like

287

Should I work that into the lyrics?

288

And he's like, yeah, please, if you can.

289

And I'm like, absolutely.

290

So I start with that and then I'm start working on these couplets of rhymes that work with

that.

291

And I've seen and it's a it's a bit of a challenging rhyme from from a rap perspective to

say snap you like a twig.

292

So now can I do a five syllable rhyme to make that work?

293

Yes, I can.

294

I'm a master in this biz.

295

I ain't chatting with these kids.

296

I'll snap you like a twig, you know.

297

And so that was a really fun challenge to be able to work in exactly what he wanted and

then to be able to kind of flex some creative muscle around that.

298

So super fun.

299

And yeah, so I just went from there like, all right, well, we're going to go super heavy,

know, braggadocious, bone breaking lyrics over this big epic theme.

300

Man, when I was done, was like, I think he's going to like this.

301

And then I said to him and he's like, my gosh.

302

He's like, this is the best theme I've ever had, dude, like ever.

303

Like and, know, we all know him for anal stopping me now, you know, and, you know, respect

to my goat, Jim Johnson, you know.

304

And but for him to be like, no, this this song really encapsulates me better than anything

I've ever had.

305

And I love it.

306

And I was like, OK, excellent.

307

You know, like I'm like, all right, we got his approval.

308

Then we're good to go.

309

You know, and it's funny because even at the beginning, I wrote a little article about it.

310

But Mikey Rukus was like, you know what?

311

I might be able to like really get a kick out of him if you say ain't no stopping me now

on the song.

312

And.

313

And then I talked to him about it and he was like, I don't think you need to say, Ain't No

Stoppin Me Now on the song.

314

And I was like, OK, all right.

315

Mikey Rukus thought that would be funny.

316

And he was like, now I'm trying to move past that.

317

It's fine.

318

You know, and.

319

And so I did record in the session.

320

just kind of said it in the beginning of the song, you know, stop me now, you know, kind

of, you know, sarcastically.

321

And I'm like, if he wants to keep that in there, he can.

322

And then, of course, he did.

323

He kept it in there.

324

So as the track starts, it's me saying, hey, don't stop me now.

325

And that was just me, just just an ad lib, you know, but I'm.

326

But man, the first time I heard him come out to that song, like I got goosebumps.

327

You know, I just, was like, whoa, like the entrance was amazing.

328

The colors, you know, him looking like a million bucks, like MVP right there.

329

And kind of with this.

330

this like proud smile on his face, like as he presents Shelton, it's just like, yeah, like

you don't know what you're about to get into right now.

331

You're about to see a special thing, you know?

332

And just to be a part of that, it's just been amazing, absolutely amazing.

333

yeah, man, shout out to both of those guys, to Mikey and to Shelton.

334

And you know, it wouldn't have happened if Shelton didn't enjoy it.

335

Like, so I'm just really proud that I was able to make him happy with that.

336

And you know what?

337

I think we've all known that Shelton Benjamin's one of the best.

338

you know, you know, me as a fan, I've always wanted to see him really have just a

spotlight that no other person has shined on him.

339

I'm very much a Shelton Benjamin fan.

340

And, you know, his music has been good over the years, but the second he came out to the

presentation that the Hurt Syndicate has, but especially Shelton Benjamin, he's getting so

341

much shine right now.

342

He's getting so much of a different presentation than he's ever had, right?

343

He's...

344

beaten people definitively.

345

He's got this amazing theme that you guys worked on.

346

And I would argue to say that this is probably within his career, the biggest that Shelton

Benjamin has ever felt and like the biggest threat and the biggest deal that he's been in

347

a wrestling company in no short part, because even before he hits the ring, you hear this

theme, you hear these lyrics, you hear this beat and it's just

348

It has such a different feeling to Shelton Benjamin.

349

And we're all excited that Bobby Lashley is with it.

350

We're excited about the Hurt Syndicate.

351

But I remember that obviously this is what the setup was for, right?

352

But I remember being like, man, you know what?

353

If it was just Shelton and it was just MVP and MVP was just Shelton's mouthpiece, and this

is what we got right from that initial presentation.

354

I was like, you know what?

355

We're here, man.

356

Let's do it.

357

I'd be fine with that.

358

Shelton could have easily been the final boss.

359

You know what I mean?

360

Like, I would be okay with that.

361

Yeah.

362

And then we talk about bringing it back a little bit.

363

You were also part of the AEW revolution.

364

I think it was for the 2021 show.

365

You were able to do some music for that and some words for that.

366

That's obviously a little bit different than what we've got for Shelton's theme.

367

Walk us a little bit through the AEW revolution contribution you had.

368

Man at that time.

369

I don't think I knew Mikey Rukus very well but in the early days of of AEW my my entry

point was Kenny Omega and Just just you know kind of knowing him and us again chatting

370

about video games all the time

371

And so every once in a while, Kenny would just ask me like, you know, what are you working

on these days?

372

You know, you got anything that could sound, you know, that could work as like a theme

somewhere?

373

And, know, and occasionally I'll send him tracks that I was working on.

374

And one day I just got an idea for Revolution and and I said to him, he's like, this is

amazing.

375

This is amazing.

376

And I think that was when I got connected to to Mikey Rukus is.

377

Kenny sent it to him and then Mikey's like, dude, your track is amazing.

378

Like I was working on something, but this is way better.

379

You know, that kind of thing.

380

And and so I was just happy to be a part of it.

381

And even for that, it was like, you know, thinking about what a wrestling revolution would

feel like, you know what I mean?

382

And I think even through the lyrics, it was like this like it's time to take my place, you

know, like it's time to change things, you know, like that was really what it was about.

383

Like it's time to change the game.

384

And it starts.

385

from us, you know what I mean?

386

And so taking a little bit of that aggression, maybe chip on your shoulder or just being

overlooked or underrated, you even as an independent artist, we go through that to get a

387

little bit of self doubt kicking you and pushing back against that was really what what

revolution was about.

388

So I always think the best kind of songs can fit more than one scenario.

389

You know what I mean?

390

Like it's not just like, well, here's a wrestling company talking about their pay per

view, you know, and but

391

A track that could live even further and longer than the life of you know the event

because in wrestling it's always on to the next thing very quickly, so So yeah, I'm like

392

if this song is gonna be added to you know playlists and things like that and we want

somebody's gym workout playlist then you know I can't just make it specifically about

393

All Elite wrestling Attempting to change the wrestling world but also just about changing

your own life and making making small changes in your own situation That can make you a

394

force to be reckoned with so so that's really what went into that song and I'm super proud

of that song we had some help from a great rapper by the name of Rated R who did a verse

395

on the end of that and

396

And I remember thinking like the song was really short.

397

Like I think the song's like two minutes and 12 seconds or something.

398

And I was like, man, this is really short.

399

Like this is like the shortest song I ever made.

400

And Kenny was like, no, no, it's perfect.

401

It's perfect the way it is.

402

Like you don't need to add anything.

403

just, you know, don't add just to add, you know, things like that.

404

And so you have to kind of learn that in the creation process where it's like.

405

never add something just to fill time.

406

Like you gotta feel like it belongs there.

407

So, and sometimes it's a two minute and 11 second song.

408

Like that's just sometimes what it is.

409

So yeah, I was real proud of the way that came together and to be like the official song

of a, know, a pay-per-view is like, know, bucket list goals right there.

410

So yeah, real proud of that.

411

And I love how you also, when you talked about the wrestling with regret thing, you were

like, let me add like all the things I know about this show and make a theme there.

412

But with revolution, you're like, you know what, let's make it less about just the

promotion and make it like, you know, we know that at that point, AEW is looking to really

413

brand itself as an alternative and looking to say, you know what, we're coming, we're

doing this and we're doing it better than anybody right now, but we're doing it by

414

ourselves.

415

And you're not just going, okay, cool.

416

Let's make all the lyrics, but A W you're saying, this is a theme that has to represent in

this way.

417

And I think that, you know, what you had said is what all of us artists go through, right?

418

someone tells you what they want or someone tells you, okay, cool.

419

This is what I'm looking for.

420

And you're all of sudden like, all right, cool.

421

Here's like the mound of things that we're going to add to it.

422

And so it was like, no, no, that's great.

423

That's awesome.

424

Keep it like that.

425

like, you sure I could add these strings?

426

I can add this vocal.

427

Like I do all this.

428

They're like, no, it's good.

429

Keep it.

430

And sometimes as an artist, it's good to have them keep us honest with some of those

things too.

431

We could go all over the map and lots of different things, but sometimes it's just like,

you nailed it.

432

There it is.

433

Keep that and do that.

434

That's cool with me.

435

Now for those also who are familiar with your work, many of you.

436

who are listening to this and who have seen this may or may not remember, but Mega Ran was

in that infamous Uso's and New Day rap battle, which was super cool.

437

And I was telling you before we jumped on here, I feel so dumb that I did not even think

about that then.

438

Maybe it's because I found out about you later on, but all of sudden I was like, yeah,

yeah, I wonder if that's him.

439

And then you hear Xavier Woods who, Xavier Woods, if you're listening to this right now.

440

Make up with Big E.

441

Come on, man.

442

It's time.

443

I know it's been like three days as of this recording, but come on.

444

It's time.

445

But he literally comes up and he's like, Mega Ran, Mega Ran, hang on, hang on.

446

And I'm like, wait, that's the guy.

447

That's him.

448

That's awesome.

449

Yeah, I was I was there for that man.

450

We had an amazing moment Put one of the coolest days of my life was that day.

451

It was July 4th So we're all in our like 4th of July garb where I think I was had a big

uncle Sam had on

452

There's all types of, there's great indie wrestlers who all were extras in that scene.

453

Hammerstone is there as well, a bunch of other folks.

454

And we're just all hanging out being silly.

455

And that was the instruction they got, they gave us was like, just be silly back there.

456

Just make a viral moment.

457

Just be wild.

458

React crazily to what they say.

459

You know, that kind of thing.

460

And that's all we were there for.

461

was just to kind of accentuate it.

462

But but I spent the whole day kind of backstage and it was just like the coolest day of my

life.

463

Just being able to see a little bit into the life that these guys live.

464

And yeah, we get there like 10 in the morning.

465

We're just like, all right, let's go to catering.

466

We sit down at catering.

467

Road Dogg comes in hands us the scripts for the for the segment because he produced it.

468

And all of their rap battles are there like their lines.

469

but the Usos lines are not there.

470

And we're like, hmm, what's going on?

471

And Road Dogg's like, they couldn't think of anything.

472

So they said they're gonna do it.

473

They're gonna have it before we start, but they're a little stuck right now.

474

So they're just still working on it.

475

And I'm thinking like, uh-oh.

476

And I kinda whispered to Woods like, think.

477

They're really planning to like destroy you guys like like this is a typical tactic and

and battle rap to kind of let me hear what you got and then I'm going to have rebuttals

478

for everything you say and so Yeah, I'm like this

479

Might not be good, you know, but the stuff that they're doing is really great So I'm like,

they're doing a great job and then they're like, well when we're done with eating They're

480

like, can you come with us just into a room?

481

Just we're gonna practice our lines kind of bounce them off you talk to you about the

Timing and stuff and I was like, this is great You know, maybe slow that down so people

482

can understand that speed through that to get to this part Drop the mic on this part, you

know for effect, you know, so I kind of just give them a little bit of those those

483

pointers, I guess

484

And then John Cena randomly comes into the room and it was 4th of July.

485

He was returning for something and and he just he's shaking her right hand like guys.

486

I just wanted to come and tell you you've been doing a great job.

487

Like I really appreciate everything you guys been doing and and I was like I thought you

were coming in here to tell us you were jumping in the rap battle and he's like no no rap

488

is a young man's game.

489

I'm not not doing that.

490

So he goes on about his business and then Kata was backstage that day like there's just

like there was just an insane day.

491

He was Okada was backstage.

492

This was a he was Shinsuke's guest and And this is I'm sitting in catering just trying to

stay out of the way I think no one was in there at that moment and I'm just sitting there

493

and and they tell us like relax chill out Don't run up on any wrestlers.

494

Don't take any photos and I'm like got it

495

And so I'm sitting there and then Charles Robinson comes in and he sees this guy in the

back, this big guy just head down.

496

And I was like, that looks like Okada.

497

And so Charles Robinson runs over to Okada and then says, photo, photo, can I take a

photo?

498

And I was like, okay, if he's taking a photo, this is somebody that isn't here every day.

499

So I'm looking and I'm like, wait, that is Okada.

500

And...

501

And so I kind of broke the rule.

502

Once Charles Robinson left, was like, photo?

503

Can I take a photo?

504

And he's like, yeah, yeah, sure.

505

So I take a photo with Okada.

506

And it was just amazing.

507

He was just at Gorilla, just shaking everybody's hand, just being very, very respectful.

508

And he was just there to hang out.

509

And I was like, what is going on?

510

This kind of stuff happened every day.

511

you're literally looking over at him in catering and he's looking back at you.

512

He looks away and he pulls one of these.

513

You're like, it's him, it's the guy.

514

Like that's the guy I can't believe this and so later on I when I get out of there I

Posted that on Instagram.

515

I was like, dude

516

It was so cool meeting Okada.

517

can't believe this.

518

And then it was like front page on like squared circle Reddit.

519

Everybody's like, God, it's AEW.W.E.

520

confirmed.

521

my God.

522

This rapper was backstage and he broke the scoop and I was like, no.

523

This is why they tell you don't take photos.

524

And I had to like apologize to all the guys.

525

Like, I'm so sorry.

526

I hope I didn't get into anybody in trouble.

527

And they're like, no, it's fine.

528

It's fine.

529

Like if it wasn't you, someone else would have leaked it.

530

Like, it's fine.

531

And they were like, but what's he doing there?

532

What was he?

533

he's he's signing.

534

No question.

535

Like it was just so ridiculous.

536

But yeah, that day was insane.

537

And being a part of the rap battle was so cool.

538

And they were like, guys, you know, they were just so happy that me, an actual rapper was

there to kind of like walk them through stuff.

539

And I remember them saying like.

540

man, this is so cool.

541

Like, what can we do for you?

542

was like, what can you do for me?

543

Like I'm backstage, I'm living my, I get to walk the aisle.

544

Like, what are you talking about?

545

This is amazing.

546

And Woods is like, nah, I got something for you.

547

I got something for you when we get in the ring.

548

And I was like, wait, what?

549

And then that's when he says, Mega ran, hold my trombone.

550

And that was the moment where I was like, okay, I'm officially WWE canon.

551

Like I'm in the script.

552

You know what I mean?

553

Like I'm there, I'm in the transcripts.

554

So now I'm in the universe somewhere.

555

That's pretty cool.

556

Like you don't really get that as an extra, you know what I mean?

557

Like I was just an extra talent and then I get actually like my name said on TV.

558

So that was like super cool.

559

And you know what, to him, was probably just like, yeah, like, let me just go ahead and

say my friend's name.

560

And to you, it's just like, this is just the cap on what's already been just an amazing,

let's go ahead and collaborate with the Usos in the new day while taking a picture of

561

Okada and shaking John Cena's hand July 4th with this awesome USA, Uncle Sam hat on.

562

hat on.

563

Yeah, that was insane.

564

I remember there's been a few situations I've been in with with the new day, particularly

with Woods.

565

And I just have to ask him like, is this your life like every day?

566

And sometimes he'll be like, yeah.

567

But other times it like, no.

568

This isn't my life, you know, like we went we were in Vegas after like a maybe like I'm

just a smackdown or something.

569

No, no, it was a pay-per-view.

570

Gosh, what was it?

571

Was it money in the bank when Dean Ambrose won the title?

572

Anyway, so.

573

After the show, they're all like, hey, we're going to a Wale concert after, which is at

one of the casinos.

574

And I'm like, absolutely.

575

I love Wale.

576

We'll go to concert.

577

We go to the concert.

578

We're hanging out.

579

Wale does like two songs and then gets off stage.

580

And we're all like, hey, what's happening?

581

And he's like, all right, man, we're out of here.

582

And I was like, OK, I guess they're out of here.

583

And then was like, no, no, no, we're out of here like everybody.

584

And so gets the entire little entourage and then we walk outside and there's two vans

sitting outside and we're like, where are we going?

585

And it was just like, I don't know.

586

So we all get in the van and we're like, all right, this is an adventure, you know, and

and we get out of the van at another casino.

587

There's this guy waiting at the van and he gives us these wristbands and and they say

Cleveland Cavaliers.

588

And so this was this very same day that the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship

against the Warriors that came back from the there's a big comeback.

589

And then when they won that, they immediately flew out of Oakland and went to Vegas to

party.

590

And so we land right in the middle of the Cleveland Cavaliers, like celebration party for

the championship.

591

And so they're like, here's these wristbands.

592

All right.

593

Stay behind the velvet rope.

594

And we're like, what is going on?

595

We walk inside and it's like every basketball player we know, all these tall players, just

poor champagne.

596

I haven't fun.

597

And I had to turn the woods.

598

I was like, is this your life?

599

He's like, not usually.

600

No, I this is insane.

601

Like, what are we doing here?

602

You know, so there's this wild things like that happen.

603

And you know what?

604

He's just like, this isn't my life.

605

And then all of sudden, like every time you're with him, there's just another story to

him.

606

It's funny.

607

It's probably when you're with him, he's probably just like, yeah, all the crazy stuff

happens when you're here.

608

Otherwise I'm just kind of traveling, doing my thing.

609

And then when Mega Ran shows up, we end up at the Cavaliers game.

610

Yeah, maybe maybe it's like that.

611

It's just like so happened that it just really got wild that day.

612

And also Xavier Woods is huge into video games as many know.

613

He's also a pretty good bass player too, as he's been putting in the work there too.

614

So, you know, I'm to use this opportunity to put over Xavier Woods' bass work and that

there should be more collaborations with him on bass in the future.

615

Cause come on Xavier, you're awesome.

616

But again, please make up with Big E.

617

It's been three days.

618

We've talked about this.

619

You've got to be making up with Big E.

620

What are we doing here?

621

What are we doing?

622

get it together guys.

623

So before I let you go, one thing I want to do is I want to give you the opportunity to,

as we've done with many of our guests on here, we're to go ahead and end with asking you

624

to choose three songs that represent who MegaRan is.

625

And these can be either, okay, what are three songs that people should check out by you?

626

But the way I really like to frame it is what are three songs that represent you as

MegaRan that you would tell people to put on their Spotify playlist or that we'll make a

627

playlist and put out there?

628

What are those three songs for you, my friend?

629

Okay, so I'm gonna give you a little mix.

630

There's a one of mine.

631

There's a song called Dream Master, which is kind of like the Mega Ran story in in about

three, four minutes.

632

Very autobiographical about growing up and why or how Mega Ran became who he is.

633

Gosh, there's another great song by Lupe Fiasco called Daydreamin.

634

I really love that song.

635

I would say put that in there and

636

Lastly to like really help to like explain who Mega Ran is You're gonna need to put the

one-winged angel Final Fantasy 7 theme from Nobuo Uematsu

637

man, that's a good one.

638

Now I'm gonna challenge that one real quick.

639

Are we talking from Final Fantasy VII or are we talking from Advent Children?

640

Because the Advent Children one has been the one with like all the rock and the guitars

that everyone's become.

641

No.

642

Advent Children one gets crazy.

643

Like it does a lot of really cool interesting things You know what but I like the classic

just because of you know what where it's been for me for so long But the Advent Children

644

one does some really cool interesting stuff for sure good good a good note there

645

So check all those out.

646

We're gonna do a playlist.

647

You'll able to check them out and obviously go check out Mega Ran.

648

Mega Ran's the man.

649

He's doing everything.

650

He's everywhere.

651

And probably by the time you hear this, there are gonna be like 14 other things that

you've done.

652

So check all those out.

653

But Mega Ran, thank you so much for your time.

654

It's been awesome chatting with you and you're the man of many hats.

655

I know that you're busy and thank you for spending some time with us today.

656

John, appreciate it, man.

657

This has been a super cool interview.

658

Thanks for having me,