The BEST Wrestling Moment Every Year (1989 - 2026)

11. 2016 | Shinsuke Nakamura’s Debut Entrance

Shinsuke Nakamura Entrance
WWE.com

WWE had precedent in signing the coolest wrestler in the world throughout its history - the talent that taste-makers insisted could rule the entire industry, if they were just given the big promotional push. They rarely were.

The already rave-reviewed Steve Austin arrived having convinced fans he was truly special and on the pulse after his legendary stopover in ECW. He initially became the Ringmaster. CM Punk was the hottest heel in the world in 2005. He started out in WWECW as a babyface “one to watch” type at the lowest level. Bryan Danielson was the sicko’s choice as the best wrestler of his and even every generation. He debuted on the NXT gameshow with the Miz as his mentor - and while WWE knew what they were doing there, it was still an affront to a performer of his quality. The debut presentation of Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT TakeOver: Dallas was different. The coolest wrestler got the biggest push. Crazy how that worked so well.

Nakamura was the coolest star of the NJPW resurgence, such a strangely charismatic killer, and he arrived in WWE (or at least a division of it) that actually coveted him and very obviously was going to instantly push him into the main event. The debut was the peak, but what a peak. This was one of the best superstar entrances ever. The swirling violins, the strobe effect designed to convey his blinding star power, Sami Zayn’s mini mark-out reaction as he was crouched down by the turnbuckle: it felt in that admittedly naive moment like WWE itself was the coolest promotion in the world, like a permanent change had happened. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!