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

30. 1992 - Nailz

Undertaker CM Punk
WWE

"...by the standards of the time" is very much a caveat here, as is "...by WWF standards".

Marketed to bairns, it never was a heavy heat promotion - which is why Nailz beating down the Big Boss Man remains such an evocative scene for those who watched it through innocent, terrified eyes.

This was sensible, halfway inspired WWF storytelling. The Big Boss Man predated and transcended the occupational gimmick, and this development - Nailz was a tormented convict out for revenge - made sense of the cartoonish theatre.

Boss Man's sell-job made it real, too. His work in an aural nightmare of an angle was tremendous. The sound of a nightstick thwacking flesh really was disturbing...

...by WWF standards.

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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!