When a wrestler makes their debut, they have a unique opportunity to set a tone for their career — for better or worse. Jaw-dropping first impressions make superstars. Here are the 20 Best debuts in WWE history.
20. Big Show
Initially introduced as “the son of Andre the Giant,” Big Show was billed at a height between seven-foot and seven-foot-two. His weight was listed anywhere between 383 and 500 pounds. Called “the world’s largest athlete,” in his 1995 debut at WCW Halloween Havoc, Big Show shocked the wrestling world by defeating Hulk Hogan and claiming the World Championship.
19. Santino Marella
Making his debut during a live episode from Italy, Santino Marella was “a fan” plucked out of the audience to challenge the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, for the Intercontinental Title. Italian fans went wild. Their fellow countryman, Santino, held his own until the match was declared No Holds Barred. While The Italian Stallion lost, he went on to become a champion.
18. Booker T
Before holding 35 championships between three organizations, Booker T shocked audiences by attacking “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at King of the Ring. It marked the first time a reigning WCW Champion attacked the WWE Champion. Booker T was an opening salvo and declaration that the Monday Night War was not completely over and the battle had assumed a new dimension.
17. Abdullah the Butcher
Among the most frightening wrestlers of all time, “The Madman from The Sudan,” Abdullah the Butcher, was established as a brutal competitor in other promotions. In his debut, the Butcher popped out of a giant gift box and immediately unleashed a vicious assault on Sting. The surprise attack established the Hall of Famer as an unpredictable, reckless force to fear.
16. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar, a mountain of muscle, made his TV debut in 2002 by storming through the crowd and into the ring. He decimated Al Snow, Maven, and Spike Dudley, all of whom were in the midst of a Hardcore Match. The unbridled power of this massive competitor shocked the crowd. It birthed Lesnar’s nickname of “The Next Big Thing.”
15. The Great Khali
Indian-born The Great Khali was billed at seven-foot-one and 347 pounds. Taking on smaller competitors isn’t all that impressive, so The Great Khali decided to make his debut in a more shocking manner. During SmackDown 2006, the Punjabi Titan interrupted the six-foot-ten Undertaker’s bout with Mark Henry. He pummeled The Deadman with a resounding jab and manhandled The Phenom.
14. Big Van Vader
Weighing in at 450 pounds, the six-foot-five Vader is as imposing as they come. Even scarier, Vader made his debut wearing a horrifying horned helmet, called a “samurai headdress,” that looked more like an H. R. Giger Alien-style creature. Vader made a few strange hand motions and the headpiece shot steam. It set the tone for his unbridled nature.
13. Goldberg
From the late 1990s through the early 2000s, Goldberg was one of the most popular wrestlers. In 1997, Goldberg’s debut match against Hugh Morrus began without fanfare or gimmicks. But the moment the bell rang, Goldberg’s first impression is memorable for his unrelenting intensity. After the match, Goldberg said nothing. He went on to achieve an astonishing 173-0 undefeated streak.
12. Rey Mysterio
WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is regarded as one of the greatest cruiserweight wrestlers ever. In 2002, Mysterio competed against WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero at SmackDown. What’s more memorable was the evening’s later Steel Cage Match, where Mysterio scaled the cage and made one of the most daring leaps in WWE history to come to Edge’s defense.
11. Sabu
Billed as the nephew of The Original Shiek, in 1993, Sabu was led to the ring by 911 while chained to a gurney and wearing a Hannibal Lecter mask. Once unchained, Sabu charged his opponent, and the fight spilled outside. 911 threw chairs to subdue Sabu. Fans were caught in the crossfire. This moment was the birth of extreme.
10. Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff was an on-air interviewer and host for AWA from 1989-1991. He moved to WCW, working his way up to executive producer and eventually becoming Senior Vice President. His big debut came when Mr. McMahon announced Bischoff would be the new General Manager for Raw, proving WWE had conquered WCW. Bischoff became one of the longest-reigning Raw General Managers.
9. The Undertaker
In the 1990s Survivor Series, “The Dream Team” of Dusty Rhodes, Koko B. Ware, Bret Hart, and Jim Neidhart faced off against “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and The Honky Tonk Man, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and a mystery partner. An awe-inspiring entrance introduced WWE fans to The Undertaker. Fans will never forget his first signature Tombstone piledriver.
8. Tazz
Former ECW Champion Tazz made his true WWE debut at 2000’s Royal Rumble. Undefeated Kurt Angle awaited an unnamed opponent. An orange logo with the number 13 appeared. Heavy music pulsated. The crowd chanted, “E-C-DUB.” After executing a series of suplexes, Tazz locked the former Olympic gold medalist in the Tazzmission and ended Angle’s undefeated streak.
7. Shockmaster
The Shockmaster’s 1994 debut occurred at Clash of the Champions XXIV. Sting, Dustin Rhodes, and The British Bulldog prepared to square off against Sid Vicious, Vader, and Harlem Heat. A mystery partner emerged. As the Shockmaster barreled through a wall, tripped over a two-by-four, and did a face plant (losing his glitter-encrusted Stormtrooper helmet) a stumbling, bumbling superstar was born.
6. The Wyatt Family
On the July 8, 2013, episode of Raw, The Wyatt Family emerged, lit only by flickering candlelight. When the lights came up, Wyatt watched from a rocking chair as his siblings battered Kane, first were there for us, and later with the steel steps. This shocking and brutal debut showed this unhinged family was more maniacal than the Mansons.
5. The Nexus
In the inaugural season of WWE NXT, a villainous wrestling stable comprised of eight rookies broke up matches in order to make a name for themselves. The first occurred on Raw in June 2010, when the NXT Rookies broke up a match between John Cena and CM Punk and attacked both superstars, even announcer Justin Roberts.
4. John Cena
Coming to answer an open challenge from former WWE Champion Kurt Angle, John Cena made his debut on June 27, 2002. Starting off with a powerful haymaker, Cena went on the offensive and held his own. Although Cena ultimately lost the match, he earned the respect of his fellow superstars. Cena went on to become a 12-time World Champion.
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3. Scott Hall
Scott Hall was known as Razor Ramon in the WWF. His memorable arrival occurred during the very early days of the Monday Night War. Dressed in street clothes and claiming to be “an outsider,” Hall asked, “You wanted a war?” Hulk Hogan handpicked Hall, along with Kevin Nash to form the New World Order (nWo) tag team.
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2. Chris Jericho
As the clock struck midnight, christening the new millennium, The Rock addressed the Monday Night Raw crowd in Chicago. Chris Jericho made his WWE debut, brazenly interrupting The Great One to declare that “Raw is Jericho.” With the Monday Night War in full battle, this signaled a major defection from WCW. Jericho’s debut is still one of the most discussed.
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1. Kane
In 1997, Paul Bearer made a revelation. The Undertaker’s half-brother, long believed to have perished in a fire, was alive and coming for vengeance. Kane emerged with hell, fire, and brimstone as he invaded The Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell Match against Shawn Michaels. Kane stalked into the ring, ripped the door off the cell, and Tombstoned his brother.