10 Biggest WWE Survivor Series Debuts
5. Kurt Angle (1999)
Kurt Angle's Survivor Series 1999 debut is in hindsight not only the best thing on the entire card, but perhaps one of Vince McMahon's most underrated creative success stories.
Perfectly crafted and executed amidst the chaos and carnage of the Attitude Era, Kurt Angle's introduction as an American hero that demanded respect rather than commanded it was an inspired reading of the audience of the day.
Knowing and blusterous, preparatory vignettes aired for weeks in the run-up, with Angle prattling on about his own brilliance, blind to the dissent he was likely to face from a jagged crowd accustomed to the gritty realism of Stone Cold Steve Austin and bombastic brilliance of The Rock.
The fans' distaste mate complete sense, as did Kurt's incredulity at their hatred. Intentionally boring audiences with his amateur style and insincere smile, the 'Most Celebrated Real Athlete' in company history snapped at the crowd at the five minute mark. 'You do not boo an Olympic gold medalist!' he cried. Their stage-managed rebellion kickstarted his meteoric rise.