Derringer was heavily involved with The Wrestling Album, a 1985 collection of WWE (then WWF) theme songs and walk-on music composed for wrestlers at the time. "Real American" was originally intended to be the new theme song for tag-team combo Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo (otherwise known as the US Express), however they joined the rival NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) shortly after the album's release. Consequently, it became WWF Superstar Hulk Hogan's new theme, and has been associated with him ever since - it still being his walk-on/Titantron music to this day.
Pop star Cyndi Lauper has several cameos on The Wrestling Album under the pseudonym Mona Flambé. "Real American" is one of them, as she contributed backing vocals to the track.
The WWE was huge in 1985, with Hulk Hogan its biggest star. This was also the age of MTV, and the organization took pains to present their talent as rock stars. WWE boss Vince McMahon pushed the music angle, which was much more about the visuals than the sound. On The Wrestling Album, some of the wrestlers (Junkyard Dog, Hillbilly Jim) sang, but unlike his daughter, Hulk Hogan did not. His proxy was Rick Derringer, who brought some musical credibility to the project. Derringer was heard and not seen, however, as the video was all about Hogan, with action footage and some "Born In The U.S.A."-inspired American flag visuals, including a not-so-subtle scene with Hogan playing guitar in front of a giant American flag.
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