10 Hyped WWE Debuts That Were Total Misdirections
3. Dan Matha
An inspired idea that fit perfectly within the confines of NXT, WWE used their traditional hype-building model to create a buzz round one of their Performance Centre trainees just to further along an actual storyline on the main show.
For weeks leading up to his October 2016 debut, Dan Matha was stood imposingly in an empty ring, with cameras and lighting paying heed to his ripped physique and mammoth size.
As characteristics more in tune with an old Vince McMahon scouting project than a Triple H one, fans felt little excitement but plenty of nervous anticipation as to the damage the giant rookie could potentially do on the developmental brand.
The towering three hundred-pounder would emerge to little fanfare on his Full Sail debut, but initial reactions at least matched those in the videos shown, as the usual squash victory was expected.
However, on his own path of rage back to the NXT Title, former Champion Samoa Joe stormed the ring, decimating Matha in the name of claiming back his prize as doyen of the brand.
It was an inspired way to instantly make a nobody seem like a somebody, just to add huge heat for a Samoa Joe beatdown.