Sam Rivers, longtime bassist for the iconic rock band Limp Bizkit, has passed away at age 48. Rivers was a key part of the group during its late-’90s and early-2000s peak – a period that left a lasting imprint on both rock music and professional wrestling culture.
Rivers joined Limp Bizkit in 1994 and remained one of its core members through the band’s rise to global fame. Known for his distinctive bass sound and stage presence, he helped craft the group’s signature hits that blended heavy guitars with hip-hop influences.
For wrestling fans, Rivers and Limp Bizkit hold a special place in WWE history. Their hit “My Way” famously served as the official theme song for WrestleMania X-7, one of WWE’s most celebrated events. The song underscored the emotional build-up to the legendary main event between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, becoming one of the most iconic uses of music in wrestling promotion.
The band’s connection to WWE deepened when “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” became The Undertaker’s entrance theme during his “American Badass” era. Limp Bizkit even performed the song live at WrestleMania XIX, playing The Undertaker to the ring for his match against The Big Show and A-Train. The group’s track “Crack Addict” was also featured in promotional material for the same event, cementing their status as one of WWE’s most heavily featured bands of the early 2000s.
Rivers’ contribution to Limp Bizkit’s success was immense – both musically and culturally. His bass lines powered hits like Break Stuff, Nookie, and My Generation, helping define an entire era of nu-metal. His influence extended far beyond music charts, resonating in sports, film, and pop culture moments like WWF’s Attitude Era crossover.
You can read Limp Bizkit’s statement on Sam’s death below:
“In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers
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.
— Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal”
As WWE and Limp Bizkit fans alike look back, Sam Rivers will be remembered not only as a talented bassist but as part of the soundtrack to some of wrestling’s most unforgettable moments.
R.I.P
