10 Best Debuts In WWE History

Who made the best first impression?

Finn Balor Raw
WWE.com

First impressions are important in any aspect of life. Whether socially or professionally, it takes most people just a quick glance to evaluate and form an opinion on you, and those initial impressions set the tone for everything that follows. You only get one opportunity, and it’s very difficult to reverse or undo a bad first impression, particularly in professional wrestling.

A bland, botched, or unmemorable wrestling debut can kill a career before it has ever truly begun. Look at The Shockmaster, a man who literally fell flat on his face after debuting in WCW in 1993. Originally set to become the company’s top babyface, he quickly became a the biggest embarrassment in the sport.

On the other side of the coin, a great debut has been the making of many a WWE wrestler. Making an exciting, high-impact first appearance can send a superstar’s career to the stratosphere, and while debutants don’t always need to come into the company with all guns blazing to forge a successful career, it makes for an ideal platform.

WWE history is littered with memorable debuts, with Finn Balor providing the latest example. The former NXT Champion finds himself within touching distance of the WWE Universal Championship after just one appearance on Raw, and looks all-set for a long, successful career in the WWE main event.

But as great as Balor’s debut was, he faces stiff competition for the title of “best WWE debut of all-time.” Where does he rank? Let’s find out...

10. Goldberg

Chris Jericho
WWE.com

The former WCW stalwart’s WWE career didn’t pan-out like everyone had hoped, but Goldberg made one hell of a first impression on his debut. Fresh-off retiring Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIX, The Rock took to the Raw ring for “Rock Appreciation Night,” announcing to the fans that he had nothing left to prove, and he was going to leave the company.

Cue: Goldberg’s theme music, and the screen cutting to the backstage area. Goldberg appeared on WWE television for the very first time in his career as a shocked Rock’s jaw dropped, and seconds later, Goldberg was walking down the ramp to a thunderous ovation.

Fans had been dying to see Goldberg in a WWE ring since the ill-fated Invasion angle first started taking shape. Finally, two years later, they had their wish. One of the biggest stars in late WCW history was sharing the squared circle with the biggest megastar that WWE have ever produced: it was enough to send a shiver down your spine.

While The Rock freaked-out, Goldberg grabbed the mic, yelled “YOU’RE NEXT!”, and Speared the Brahma Bull into oblivion. It was an ideal way to re-introduce Goldberg to the wrestling world and immediately involve him in a storyline with one of the company’s biggest stars. It’s just a shame WWE and Goldberg never really built on his historic first night.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.