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

28. 1994 - Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan WCW Debut.
WWE.com

With an outlandish red-and-yellow-speckled parade, WCW introduced Hulk Hogan as Hulk Hogan demanded to be introduced: as the biggest star in professional wrestling.

Confetti rained down over the anaconda-sized red and yellow feather boas strung between the rooftops and lampposts of Disney MGM in Orlando. It was a cheesy and antiquated scene, even then, but certainly an important one. Hogan arrived to sign the contract in an open-top sports car. Hogan's promo was similar to that of a children's TV show host, but it wasn't without a note of black humour. "I body-slammed Andre the Giant!" he said, before remembering that he died a year earlier.

"...god rest his soul."

Brilliantly, in addition to challenging Ric Flair, he also laid down the gauntlet to Ted Turner. "We're gonna find out who the most powerful man in WCW is!" he said.

And we did!

To the fatal detriment of the company!

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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!