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

15. 2007 - Santino Marella

Santino Marella Debut
WWE

The 2000s absolutely f*cking sucked.

WWE was great in patches but only that.

The debut lost its lustre and lost its lustre big because it's difficult to debut a star on the indies. They debut from the indies. Over in the east, the dojo system, gradual slow-burn push and culture of loyalty render the big grand American-style debut a rarity. We were therefore stuck with developmental promotions, and WWE botched or failed to deliver immediately upon the debuts of the few stars who did actually get over that decade. Because the promotion was largely bad.

So you're stuck with Santino bastard Marella, OK?

It went over big in Italy, it was unusual, and it was memorable.

But f*ck John Laurinaitis.

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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!