10 Disastrous Wrestling Debuts

As often as WWE invites criticism upon itself, the task it faces is gigantic.

RAW is a three-hour marathon. SmackDown! might only be two hours in length - but the majority of feature length films daren't overstep that limit, lest they risk burning out their audience. Pay Per Views are so frequent that it's easy to forget that they're even taking place. Often, they are an inconvenience to promotor and punter alike - which is all a roundabout way of saying that the lacklustre storytelling we are routinely subjected to is almost excusable.

What isn't excusable is a lacklustre debut - surely, the easiest variable in the wrestling equation. A promotor here isn't juggling a raft of fantastic talent in an era wherein fans won't accept much in the way of enhancement talent. They're introducing an anticipated talent in a flattering light - often in a tantalisingly short space of time.

To underscore the simplicity of the job, look no further than The Simpsons' Gabbo. A foul-mouthed ventriloquist's dummy, he was introduced with his name written in white flashing over a black background, with a histrionic voice announcing its presence. The citizens of Springfield were immediately gripped. The satire worked so well because in such ADHD times, anything new, irrespective of what it actually is, is enough to warrant unearned, slack-jawed adulation.

Well - not anything...

Rob Van Dam was destined to crop up in TNA, eventually.

As a former WWE star, he was automatically coveted. The company had developed a dubious reputation of positioning talent in accordance with their former experience in the 'E - this, despite fans flocking to TNA because they desired an alternative to it.

The expectation was that Van Dam would, like his peers Christian Cage and Kurt Angle, dominate the Orlando landscape and its homegrown denizens - but, as was his wont, Vince Russo elected to swerve fan expectations.

Van Dam was Sting's mystery opponent on the March 8, 2010 Impact - and he made his debut in classic babyface fashion by sneak-attacking The Icon, baiting and switching his entrance to attack him from behind, thus securing a deflating fluke win. This incensed Sting, so with classic heel justification (!) he set about destroying Van Dam - who, within minutes, was relegated from cad to jobber - with his trusty baseball bat.

Van Dam was then demoted again to the status of ancillary player. The angle was designed to garner sympathy on his behalf, when Sting's rampage extended to a red and yellow beatdown. His prone body was the lasting impression - not the exciting, new, potentially difference-making superstar.