Triple H has announced Charli XCX’s hit song ‘Von Dutch’ as the theme for the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble, and the decision has left fans divided.

The WWE CCO, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, made the official announcement on social media yesterday (January 27), taking to X/Twitter to announce that the track will be the theme for the upcoming PPV this Saturday (February 1).

The event is a part of WWE’s “Big Four”, alongside WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series and remains one of WWE’s most popular instalments. It sees 30 competitors enter in intervals and aim to eliminate their opponent by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor.

“From BRAT Summer to #WrestleMania season, @Charli_XCX’s “Von Dutch” is the official theme of #RoyalRumble10,” he wrote, making a nod to the massive impact the record had on pop culture last year and adding:  “Am I brat?”

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The decision was hinted at before the official announcement too, with it appearing in various videos promoting the event which is set to be held at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana later this week. It sees the company taking a shift away from more traditional rock and hip-hop choices

It isn’t the first time that hit music has been used for wrestling themes though, as Wrestling Inc. highlights that Megan Thee Stallion‘s song ‘Neva Play’ is the theme of WWE SmackDown on the USA Network, and Travis Scott penned ‘4×4’ as the theme to WWE Raw ahead of it moving to Netflix earlier this month.

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Regardless, the decision has received a mixed response from wrestling fans, with some loving the new approach, and some longing for the more traditional decision to have a rock track used as the theme.

“I miss the days of rock themes. They sell the personal nature between the individuals. These pop/hip-hop themes instead sell the extravaganza and larger than life nature of the company as a whole,” wrote one user on 411 Mania, while someone else on X criticised WWE as having “such terrible music choices” following the decision.

“I never thought I’d say this but I miss the music of Flo Rida and Nickelback in WWE,” someone wrote in the comment section for Wrestling Inc., while others on social media shared that they hoped the track chosen would have been ‘The Emptiness Machine’ – the comeback single from Linkin Park shared last year.

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Elsewhere, others were more open-minded to the new approach, and praised Triple H for making a decision that they thought marked a new era for wrestling. “Great choice! ‘Brat’ was the most culturally relevant album of 2024,” one fan wrote on 411 Mania, while someone responded to the post on X writing: “Who knew triple h had good music taste?”

“Alrighttt!! Finally gave me a reason to watch. Charli is the GOAT!” a third shared on X. Find more responses below.

The decision comes after Triple H, who has been working with WWE for nearly three decades, became WWE’s Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy and Development in 2020, before being promoted to Executive Vice President of Talent Relations in 2022.

He made his debut as a wrestler in 1992 and began World Championship Wrestling in 1994 before joining WWE the following year. Up until 2010 he won several world championships and titles, and was the winner of the Royal Rumble in 2002.

Also in 2022 he was named Head of WWE Creative and Chief Content Officer following the retirement and controversy around Vince McMahon. Last October, it was reported that McMahon had been “accused of knowing about and failing to stop the sexual exploitation of young boys by a ringside announcer in a lawsuit filed on behalf of five alleged victims” as per NBC.

He was also accused of “sex trafficking and forcing [an employee] into a sexual relationship in exchange for a job,” according to NBC, although he has constantly disputed the allegations.

Since then, it has been widely insinuated that the company is looking to modernise the world of wrestling – possibly explaining the choice of pop music for this year’s Royal Rumble theme.

As for Charli XCX, the inclusion of ‘Von Dutch’ in the WWE world is just one of many huge milestones the singer has reached over the past 12 months, following the release of her sixth studio album.

Upon ‘Brat’ being shared, Charli saw an unprecedented surge in popularity, resulting in successful arena tours, including a co-headlining tour with Troye Sivan. She pulled double duty in performing and hosting Saturday Night Live too, where she earned praise from fans for her on-screen ability and comic timing.

To top it off, the album saw her snag eight Grammy nods at the upcoming event, making her one of the favourites for this year.

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