10 Most Successful Wrestling PPV Debuts

Announced as the most celebrated “real” athlete in WWE history, Kurt Angle made his in-ring debut at Survivor Series 1999. The Olympic gold medalist wrestled Shawn Stasiak, another competitor largely unknown to the audience. As Angle started the bout with quick takedowns and amateur holds, the Detroit crowd chanted "boring", unprepared for the new style of technical wrestling that was being ushered in by himself, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and others.

Showing that he wasn’t a one-dimensional performer, Angle actually grabbed the mic during the match to chastise the crowd for not appreciating his skill. It was the perfect blend of sports and entertainment, foreshadowing the WWE Hall of Famer’s versatility and adaption to WWE. Our Olympic Hero picked up the win with the unnamed Olympic Slam.