10 Wrestlers Whose Rookie Years Exceeded Expectations

Here we have another rookie who managed to taste WWE Championship glory in his very first year with the company: Sheamus.

The Irishman made his WWE debut at an ECW taping on 30th June, 2009. In less than four months, he found himself being called up to the main roster, first appearing on Raw on 26th October in a winning effort against Jamie Noble.

Not content with a mere victory though, Sheamus would continue to target Noble, eventually forcing him into on-screen retirement. His rampage eventually saw him enter, and win, a “break-through” Battle Royal for wrestlers who were yet to win a world championship, making him the number one contender to the WWE title.

He’d soon get his shot at TLC 2009, defeating the irrepressible John Cena to make his victory all the more emphatic. Admittedly, that reign would only last 70 days, but he was back once more before his rookie year was up to win his second WWE Championship on 23rd June, 2010.

A main roster promotion, two WWE title wins, plus of course an illustrious Slammy award for Breakout Star of the Year, represented an excellent first 12-months for Sheamus.