Ranking What Was Really The Best Wrestling Debut Every Year 1990-2021

5. 2017 - Chris Jericho

After building the prospect of the match up on Twitter in what felt like more of a f*ck-aboot than a tease, Chris Jericho landed in New Japan Pro Wrestling to challenge Kenny Omega and break the internet.

In a world that felt so close to the fundamental change wrestling fans had ached for, Jericho realised its potential by interrupting Omega's victory celebration over Beretta at Power Struggle.

Everything Jericho said was met with a mega-pop in the stands and at the booth. It was sold tremendously by Kevin Kelly. The jolting shock factor, the astonished reaction, the visual of Jericho shredding an Omega print-out; this video presentation surged with as much energy as any live introduction. Analysed through that lens, it really was astonishing.

Technically a re-debut if you want to be a pedantic dork about it, it still ruled.

Authored by Michael Sidgwick

Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!

First Posted On: 25th Aug 2021

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