10 Best Debuts In WWE History
8. Paige
The first two wrestlers on this list made their debuts the night after WrestleMania, and Paige makes it three in a row. The post-WrestleMania Raw is typically one of the biggest shows of the year, and a regular jump-off point for budding WWE careers. This year saw the likes of Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, and Apollo Crews debut, but back in 2014, it was Paige’s time to shine.
WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee was in the ring after successfully defending her title at ‘Mania. Proclaiming herself “the best Diva in the world” and “the saviour of the Diva’s division,” AJ was interrupted by an unfamiliar theme song. Out came the then-NXT Women’s Champion, and after a brief verbal exchange and a slap across the face, AJ’s bravado saw her challenge Paige to an impromptu Divas Championship match.
While the announcers speculated that Paige “wasn’t ready for this,” it became immediately apparent that AJ had bitten off more than she could chew. Little over a minute later, Paige had pinned Lee’s shoulders to the mat: she was Divas Champion within 10 minutes of debuting.
It’s hard to argue with a wrestler who ascends to the top of their field at the very first attempt, and Paige’s debut remembers one of women’s wrestling’s most memorable WWE moments.