Top 10 greatest debuts in WWE history

Over the years, WWE have produced some of the most iconic moments in the wrestling industry which can never be forgotten. One such moment includes the debuts of the brand-new faces in the company. The WWE debuts have always been exciting and have never failed to live up to the hype. Recently, WWE released a list of its Top 10 Greatest Debuts in WWE History, which put WWE fans in an argument. So here is our list of the top 10 greatest debuts in WWE history:

10. John Cena

Debuting a brand new face who is unfamiliar to the WWE Universe has always been a tough job. It could be very tricky on how fans receive it and how to make the new face engage with the audience, as the fans have no reason to cheer the debutant unless their capabilities are showcased.

This is the exact scenario in which the Greatest Wrestler of All Time, John Cena made his debut. John Cena made his WWE debut on June 27, 2002 on an episode of SmackDown responding to an open challenge by Kurt Angle. WWE Universe and Kurt Angle had no idea on who Cena is and what he is capable of. He claims that he possesses “Ruthless Aggression” and slapped Kurt in the face.

Eventually the match began, Cena’s quick attack and hate towards Kurt has made him a fan favorite. Although he lost the debut match, he was appreciated backstage by some of the veterans of the business. By making a monumental first impression, it has become one of the most iconic debuts in WWE history.

9. Ronda Rousey

“The Baddest Women on The Planet” Ronda Rousey made her debut in the 2018 Royal Rumble pay-per-view. It was rumored for months that Ronda would soon get signed to WWE and could enter the Women’s Royal Rumble match as a surprise entry. However she debuted after the Royal Rumble Match, by confronting the WWE Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and 2018 Royal Rumble Winner Asuka. She walked in and raised her hand pointing to the WrestleMania board, indicating her wrestling debut. This is one of the greatest debuts in the women's division.

8. Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens made an unannounced main roster debut on the May 18, 2015 episode of Raw, responding to John Cena's United States Championship open challenge. He made his way to the ring with his NXT Championship two nights before NXT Takeover: Unstoppable. KO and Cena had an argument on disrespecting the WWE Universe, who is the veteran and US Championship open challenge.

Owens regretted Cena's challenge by claiming the NXT champ is better when compared to the US title and hit Cena with the Pop-Up Powerbomb. He then stamped the US title. Though he disrespected the legacy of the championship, it is indeed one of the greatest debuts of all time.

7. Gold Berg

Goldberg signed a one-year contract with WWE in 2003, while he was in Japan’s wrestling promotion AJPW. On March 31, 2003 Raw, when The Rock was in the ring on the red carpet roasting the WWE Universe, Goldberg interrupted with the pyros, said “Rock, You’re Next”, speared him and left. Marking one of the dominant debuts in WWE history.

6. The Rock

The Rock made his WWE debut at Survivor 1996 in an eight man elimination tag team match under the name Rocky Maivia. He was hyped as the WWF’s first third generational superstar and got the push right from the debut match. Besides his inexperience in the ring, he became the sole survivor of the traditional Survivor Series match by eliminating Crush and Goldust. Being a debutant and surviving to win one of the traditional matches had made this as one among the greatest debuts in WWE history.

5. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar has one of the most destructive debuts in WWE history. Lesnar debuted on the March 18, 2002 episode of Raw during the Hardcore Championship match as a heel. He appeared on the ring with his advocate Paul Heyman during the match and attacked AI Snow, Maven and Spike Dudley. He threw AI Snow over the trash can, F-fived Maven, hit Spike Dudley with a clothesline and popped up to the shoulder for three destructive powerbombs. Thereby making a statement of being “The Next Big Thing” in WWE.

4. AJ Styles

Rumors around AJ Styles making his debut to WWE has been circulating around the wrestling world since he left NJPW and ROH. Even WWE themselves covered the rumors of AJ leaving NJPW for WWE. Fans and other WWE observers reported that AJ Styles would enter the rumble match as a surprise entrant.

After weeks of rumors on January 20, 2016, AJ Styles made one of the most phenomenal debuts on Royal Rumble as the surprise entrant at No.6. His debut had made the crowd go crazy and pop the loudest. AJ Styles’ accomplishments in the wrestling business prior to WWE has made him a part of the main roster without being in the developmental brand NXT. AJ Styles debut is indeed one of the greatest debut entrants of all time.

3. Kane

Kane has one of the mysterious debuts in WWE, where Paul Bearer teased his debut for months as Undertaker’s lost brother. Bearer was constantly threatening The Undertaker, that his lost brother is extremely mad at him and he would soon come for an exact revenge.

Undertaker then had a match against Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell match. Sonner, the lights gone, music hit and Kane appeared with Paul Bearer in a monstrous look. Kane ripped the door of the cell, ring posts shooted fire while he stretched his arm making The Phenom stunned. Kane then Tombstoned The Undertaker, making it one of the horrifying debuts of WWE.

2. The Shield

The Shield is a WWE Stable of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins. The trio made their main roster debut at 2012 Survivor Series PPV during the Triple Threat WWE Championship match between CM Punk, John Cena and Ryback. The Shield rushed to the ring from the crowd dressed in black attacked Ryback and triple powerbombed Ryback into the announcement desk. Making favor for CM Punk to retain the WWE Championship. The Shield’s debut is marked to be one of the greatest WWE debuts, thus occupying the 2nd spot in our list.

1. Chris Jericho

A week prior to Jericho’s debut, a clock labeled “Countdown to the New Millennium” was featuring the WWF program. On a home video of “Break Down the Walls”, Jericho reported that he saw a similar clock in the post office and Vince approved to use it for his entrance. On August 9 1999 in the episode of Raw is War, The Rock was in the ring cutting a promo against the Big Show. Meanwhile the lights went off and Countdown to the New Millennium started ticking on the screen.

As soon as the “Break the Walls Now” got hit, Jericho appeared, referred to himself as “Y2J”and proclaimed “Raw is Jericho” and that he came here to save the World Wrestling Federation. This segment has become a sensation and the greatest WWE debut of all time, thereby earning the first spot in our Top 10 Greatest debuts in WWE history.

What is your favorite WWE debuts?