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

4. 2018 - Rey Mysterio

Jushin Liger Rey Mysterio Hiroshi Tanahashi
NJPW1972.com

NB - wanton authorial bias based on a theoretical alternate timeline informs this next entry.

In an "oh sh*t yeah I remember that" moment, Rey Mysterio made his NJPW debut in 2018.

And it ruled! Not as much as it should have, like, but still!

It didn't last long. WWE at the time was balls-deep in its "No, mine!" spiteful signing spree upon which they embarked in sh*t-scared fright.

It was also, in an indictment of Rey's meh WWE return, fantastically inspired. He was presented not as a guy that goes 50/50 on television, but as the actual ageless living legend that he is. He formed the ultimate babyface squadron ever assembled this side of a Dusty Rhodes-led '80s WarGames unit alongside Jushin Liger and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

What a stable man, Christ. Three of the best pure babyface workers ever, the crowd-pleasing trio of exciting genius craftsmen actually lost their super-fun Dominion match to the Bullet Club Elite. So realistically, it wasn't that great.

But look at them! Tana, Rey, and Liger, standing next to each other!

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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!