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

18. 2004 - Carlito

Carlito Debut
WWE

Genuinely good stuff here; a skilful transition into the main event picture sparked by a brand new face spoiling said new headliner's hometown party.

Vince Vince'd John Cena in Boston, but without being spiteful for once. In an all-too-rare show of conviction, a major attempt was made to get a debuting Carlito over.

Carlito Caribbean Cool was given that name for a reason: he exuded composure on the main stage the very first time he stepped foot on it. The match was solid enough, and certainly hot enough, and Carlito's smug expression sold the finish big. He was very good from the get-go, but that was the problem. He didn't think he had to work at it.

Failing upwards and hometown burials used to be considered very good. We've come a long way.

Not there just yet, mind...

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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!