5 greatest first years of Superstars in WWE history

The old saying goes: you don't make a second chance to make a good first impression.

In the WWE, this is no different. So many stars have made shocking debuts, including teams such as the Shield, as well as solo performers like The Rock and Samoa Joe.

But for as good as a shocking debut may be, it needs to be followed up. There's no point having a huge monumental debut, if in just a year's time, no-one cares who you are and no-one has seen you on RAW or SmackDown Live.

With more and more Superstars joining the WWE every day, we can expect even more wrestlers to be planning to make a big splash when they debut, and keep up that momentum in the first 12 months of their career.

Here are five superstars, who grabbed the bull by the horns, and had the best first years in WWE history.

#5. The Undertaker

The Deadman toppled Hulk Hogan to win WWF gold, just a year into his career

The revelation of The Undertaker is one of the most iconic in wrestling history. After promising a huge surprise at the 1990 Survivor Series, Ted DiBiase delivered, with the Deadman dominating in his first showing.

As a member of the roster, Undertaker destroyed all in his path, including starting his infamous 23-2 streak at WrestleMania 7, defeating Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka.

It was a matter of time, therefore, until the morbid monster came up against the immortal Hulk Hogan, who represented all things good.

One year after his debut, the Phenom would do the unthinkable, defeating the Hulkster to win the WWF Championship, though with quite a bit of help from Nature Boy, Ric Flair.

Though he would not hold the title for long, the 6-day reign showed just how powerful the Deadman was, a historic showing of dominance that has continued for nearly 30 years.

#4. 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey

Rousey won the RAW Women's Championship at SummerSlam.

This is a hard one to call, as we as the WWE Universe are still experiencing the rookie year of UFC Hall of Famer, 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey.

After leaving UFC as one of the company's most iconic stars, the Hot Rod would appear after the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble.

Rousey had her first match at WrestleMania 34, teaming with then-RAW General Manager Kurt Angle, to topple Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

Unlike her fellow UFC star Brock Lesnar, Rousey makes continuous appearances on RAW, and had her first shot at championship gold at Money In the Bank.

Despite falling short then, Rousey would capture the RAW Women's Championship from Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam, just months into her in-ring career in WWE.

Now a bonafide WWE Superstar, Rousey will (presumably) be the headliner for the upcoming all-female WWE Pay Per View, Evolution, where she will face Nikki Bella.

#3. Brock Lesnar

Brock, as WWE Undisputed WWE Champion.

When Brock Lesnar appeared on the night after WrestleMania X8, fans were shocked. The WWE Universe had never seen someone appear and destroy everyone on his first night quite like the Beast.

Managed by the vindictive Paul Heyman, Lesnar defeated everyone in his way, winning the 2002 King of the Ring, defeating Rob Van Dam in the finals.

After destroying Hulk Hogan, and crushing the Rock to win the Undisputed Championship, Brock became the company's youngest WWE Champion, though he lost the title in his first ever loss at Survivor Series 2002, eight months after his debut.

Never one to quit, Brock came back better than ever, winning the 2003 Royal Rumble, at number 29, a spot he earned after defeating the Big Show earlier in the night.

Defeating Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 19, the Beast proved that nobody could quash the future mayor of Suplex City.

#2. Sheamus

Sheamus defeated John Cena in a Tables Match to become champion.

Debuting in mid-2009 as a part of ECW, Sheamus O'Shaugnessy was exactly what the brand needed, a big man who could quickly rise.

After losing his surname and being drafted to RAW, Sheamus would defeat John Cena at the 2009 TLC Pay Per View, becoming the first Irish star to win the historic WWE Championship.

Losing the title at Elimination Chamber 2010, the Celtic Warrior's starting year would take a slump, losing to Triple H at WrestleMania 26, in, albeit, a high profile match.

After destroying the Game at Extreme Rules, he returned to the main event picture, and defeated Edge, Randy Orton and John Cena (again) to win the WWE Championship, at Fatal 4-Way.

The Irishman's success spreads to this day with multiple titles, including the United States Championship, with even more success as a Tag star, including winning the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships with Cesaro on the blue brand's 1,00th episode.

#1. Kurt Angle

Angle cried after winning the WWF Championship at No Mercy 2000.

After winning the 1996 Olympic Gold in Freestyle Wrestling, many thought that Kurt Angle had reached his life's peak.

Yet after a failed stint as a commentator, Angle joined the World Wrestling Federation, debuting at the 1999 Survivor Series.

Defeat Shawn Stasiak in his debut, Angle continued a winning streak, despite the fans jeering the Olympian, much to his chagrin.

This was evident in a match a month into his WWF career, where Kurt confronted the booing fans after he defeated Gangrel saying "Come on! He's a freakin' Vampire!"

Despite his streak ending at the 2000 Rumble, Angle continued his winning ways, capturing the Intercontinental and European Championships in early 2000.

Winning the King of the Ring in the summer, the Wrestling Machine had already shown himself to have one of the greatest first years in wrestling.

This was cemented when he won the WWF Championship in October, just eleven months after his debut, defeating The Rock.