10 Wrestlers Whose Careers Started In The Worst Way Possible

3. Edge Injures His First Opponent

Rocky Maivia 1996
WWE

One of the most decorated world champions in WWE history he may be, but Edge's debut match was a calamity.

Though he'd worked several dark matches and house show dates beforehand, the future Hall-of-Famer was made to wait until June 1998 for a televised introduction, meeting Los Boricuas member Jose Estrada Jr. on an episode of Raw. It started quickly. Estrada leapt upon his opponent from the bell, but Edge fought back, nailing a Spear and a dropkick. This prompted Jose to take a powder, and Edge, in a complete accident, caught the top of his opponent's head when trying to nail a somersault plancha to the outside.

The Canadian climbed back into the ring, but Estrada didn't. Something was up. Unfortunately, a neck injury had left him unable to move, and the referee was left with no alternative but to count him out and declare Edge the winner.

Estrada's injuries weren't as bad as first feared. He suffered pinched nerves, and was able to return soon after, but Edge had earned the reputation of an unsafe worker in his very first match. Fortunately, he'd eventually overcome this perception.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.