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Introducing a Superstar to pro wrestling fans is not easy. A lot goes into planning and executing the introduction to perfection can make a big difference. One of the most iconic debuts in WWE history was Chris Jericho's. The former WCW star debuted in the company with a bang, interrupting none other than one of the biggest Superstars of all time, The Rock. Jericho went on to become multiple-time World Champion in WWE and is the current AEW World Champion. It was an introduction done well.
A unique way for a Superstar to make their debut is by coming from the other side of the barricade, portraying themselves as a mere fan. This has been done several times in the past and we look at five of the instances where a Superstar made their WWE debut as a fan.
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#5 Rosa Mendes
In late 2008, WWE cameras began focusing on a female fan who was boasting signs that claimed she was Beth Phoenix's biggest fan. Phoenix had been a mainstay in WWE for quite some time and was then WWE Women's Champion. The woman, dubbed as Rosa Mendes, cheered for Phoenix for weeks on end.
Soon, Beth Phoenix confronted Melina, the #1 contender for her WWE Women's Championship belt. This was the moment the 'fan' crossed the barricade and helped Phoenix launch an attack on the former M.N.M. member. Mendes was soon banned from WWE events, but managed to come in by disguising herself as one of Melina's photographers. This helped her attack the unsuspecting Diva once again. Mendes went on to become an intern under the tutelage of Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix. She made her official WWE debut in an 18 Diva Tag Team Match.
#4 Zach Gowen
Soon after WrestleMania 19 was done, Mr. McMahon fired Hulk Hogan, who had defeated his boss at The Showcase of the Immortals. Hogan returned as Mr. America, donning a mask this time. He engaged in a feud with Roddy Piper and Sean O'Haire. Piper was hell-bent on revealing the true identity of Mr. America in front of the entire WWE Universe.
On an episode of The Piper's Pit, Piper and O'Haire launched a brutal attack on Mr. America. The beating was so severe that it rendered the babyface unconscious. It gave Piper an opportunity to unmask the hero, but suddenly a young fan came into the ring to aid Mr. America. The villains attacked him too and Piper pulled off his prosthetic leg in the process, to the fans' astonishment. This is how Zach Gowen made his WWE debut, before a short stint on The Blue Brand.
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#3 Earthquake
Dubbed as one of the most destructive forces of his era, Earthquake debuted in WWE as a fan in November 1989. A strength contest was held between The Ultimate Warrior and Dino Bravo. Bravo's manager, Jimmy Hart, decided to select a fan from the audience and let him sit on the Superstars' backs while they performed push-ups.
Bravo successfully performed the impressive feat, but Warrior was attacked by the 'fan' before he could show off his own raw strength. The fan was a part of Hart's ploy to put down Warrior, and thus Earthquake debuted in WWE.
#2 Beth Phoenix
Before grooming Rosa Mendes, Beth Phoenix made her own WWE debut as a fan. Trish Stratus' rivalry with her former friend Mickie James led to Stratus separating her shoulder. After defeating Maria on an episode of RAW, James attacked an injured Trish Stratus.
Suddenly, a woman crossed the barricade and tried to stop James from continuing the vicious attack. Separating the fan from James seemed to be a tough nut to crack for the officials. It was later revealed that 'The Glamazon' was an old friend of Mickie James and that the villain had ruined her life. Another attack soon followed, and Phoenix made her WWE in-ring debut in a unique fashion.
Also read: CM Punk calls former Superstar 'greedy' on Twitter
#1 Santino Marella
After Bobby Lashley defeated Umaga in the Battle of the Billionaires at WrestleMania 23, Vince McMahon decided to ruin his career. For the next several weeks, Vince and Shane tried their best to put down Lashley. This also resulted in McMahon becoming the ECW Champion. On an episode of RAW, McMahon issued an open challenge to anyone from the crowd, to square off against Intercontinental Champion Umaga. Santino Marella was handpicked from the crowd by McMahon, and the contest kicked off.
After a brutal beating courtesy of Umaga, Santino somehow managed to defeat the villain with some help from Bobby Lashley, leaving Mr. McMahon in a state of shock.
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