Ranking What Was Really The Best Wrestling Debut Every Year 1990-2021

19. 2003 - Goldberg

Goldberg The Rock
WWE.com

Bear with this list for a few slides, because the awesome concept of a ready-made star making their roof-shaking debut (mostly) died with WCW. With WWE and OVW locked in petty conflict, and WWE creatively barren, the byproduct of the end of a mainstream era resulted in several bland, halfhearted, small-time introductions.

So the contenders for 2003 are thus: The Bashams, Garrison Cade, Matt Morgan, Orlando Jordan, Jesus H F*cking Christ.

Jesus Christ didn't actually debut in WWE in 2003, but he wouldn't have moved the needle if he did because it was so sh*tty.

Goldberg however was finally convinced to sign with WWE, and before he was made to regret his decision, things looked promising. Rock knew what was up on the post-WrestleMania XIX RAW, played with the expectation in his inimitably funny way, and took one of the best and funniest spear bumps ever mid jaw-jack.

And then they made Goldberg slow and dull.

Wrestling gets good again.

Promise!

In this post: 
CM Punk
 
First Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!