9 Stables WWE Debuted In The WORST Way Possible
5. Hit Row
Hit Row made their third WWE/NXT debut on the August 12th 2022 edition of SmackDown, and fans in the building were more than happy to see them.
It had been a long road back for B-Fab, Top Dolla and Ashante "Thee" Adonis following their releases from the company in 2021, just weeks removed from their original SmackDown arrivals alongside Isiah "Swerve" Scott - the previous and future Swerve Strickland. Having originally popped off in the Capitol Wrestling Center era of NXT when just about nothing else was, they felt like a cheat code of an act thanks to the confidence and poise they brought to their performances. A year (and a firing-and-re-hiring) on from all that though, and they were now without the soon-to-be AEW World Heavyweight Champion for good. Somewhat unfairly, it hobbled their perception, particularly to those watching both shows and seeing Strickland move so quickly through the gears and up the ranks on the other channel.
Hit Row succumbed to something of a minor slump era for doubles wrestling in WWE, unable to shake off the vibe that whatever was once there had been lost. Top Dolla quickly gained infamy for a botched dive, and even though he took it in great humour for the benefit of his character's future, it added to the group's credibility problem. Dolla's release in September 2023, less than a year on from the last SmackDown relaunch, was the death knell.