Rating the 6 Best WWE debuts of the past decade

The Fiend is now Bray Wyatt's alter-ego
The Fiend is now Bray Wyatt's alter-ego

While it took some time for Bray Wyatt to finally return to the fold in WWE, we finally saw the debut of The Fiend at SummerSlam, and it's safe to say that it's taking the wrestling world by storm.

From the presentation to the action inside the ring, this was one of the best debuts in wrestling history, and it got us thinking about some other incredible debuts that the WWE have presented in recent years.

We'll talk more about Wyatt and his new alter-ego when we get to it, but it was almost a perfect debut, as it had everything you want: intrigue, great action inside the ring, it felt fresh, and this is very hard to come by.

So without further ado, sit back and read along as we look back on the past 10 years and analyze 6 of the best debuts that the company have presented.


#6 Paige

Paige single-handedly changed WWE's women's division, for the better
Paige single-handedly changed WWE's women's division, for the better

These days, WWE like to present you with every time of performer possible, but even 5 years ago, that wasn't the case in the women's division, as it was people like Paige that pushed for that change.

It didn't come easy for the anti-diva, but after a great run in NXT, WWE decided to get behind her and have her shake up the entire women's division on her first night on the main roster.

The night following WrestleMania 31, Paige came out to confront AJ Lee, and in an instant, she had turned the wrestling world on its head.

After taking Lee's moment from her, the two were booked in a match for the Diva's title, and after a quick contest, Paige did the unthinkable and ended AJ's historic title reign, and while her career was unfortunately prematurely ended due to injury, this is a moment that will never be forgotten.

#5 Shinsuke Nakamura

The King of Strong Style had a masterclass on his first night with WWE
The King of Strong Style had a masterclass on his first night with WWE

While the majority of instances on this list were a big surprise, this one wasn't, as WWE built up the dream debut of Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn weeks in advance, and it worked.

The atmosphere in Dallas was absolutely electric (not just because of this match, but it was extra special for this one), and after 15 minutes of back and forth wrestling between the two men, the crowd completely bought into the King of Strong Style.

Despite where his career has gone since leaving NXT, this was the best debut in NXT history from an in-ring standpoint, as Zayn and Nakamura put on arguably the greatest match in NXT history, on Nakamura's first night.

He'd have some other great matches in NXT, but nothing compared to this, and when we look back on it, there will likely never be a perfect storm like this again.

#4 Nexus

Fresh off the NXT game-show, these men made quite an impact from Day 1
Fresh off the NXT game-show, these men made quite an impact from Day 1

NXT is now the best product WWE puts on, but back in the early 2010s, it was used as a game show, and it just wasn't that good.

With that being said though, this idea produced many of WWE's stars during this time, and the group that stood out among the rest was Nexus, the entire cast of the first season.

After the show wrapped up, the 8 men decided to band together, and on a random RAW way back in 2010, they decided to take over WWE, and decimate its top star, John Cena.

It will be remembered as one of the best segments in RAW history, as the set was completely destroyed, and the landscape changed in an instant, and although WWE failed to follow up on their momentum (looking at you John Cena), their debut was absolutely incredible.

#3 Sting

The WCW legend shocked the world by finally appearing in WWE
The WCW legend shocked the world by finally appearing in WWE

Sting is one of the biggest icons in the wrestling industry, but 20+ years into his career, he had never appeared in WWE, until one fateful night in 2014.

Dolph Ziggler was 3-on-1 down in the traditional Survivor Series match, when Sting surprised everyone in the WWE Universe, appearing to take out Triple H, and in the process, assisting Ziggler to victory.

Many people expected that after all the years Sting spent in WCW and then in TNA that he would never join Vince McMahon's company, but that was all proven wrong on this night, sending the WWE faithful into a frenzy.

He never got the big run in WWE that many believe he deserves, as an injury cut his career short, but this is one moment that we will never forget, and definitely a highlight in the career of the Stinger.

#2 The Fiend

At SummerSlam 2019, The Fiend captured everyone's attention
At SummerSlam 2019, The Fiend captured everyone's attention

Bray Wyatt has been in WWE for quite some time, and he has never quite received the push he deserved, but with his latest re-emergence as The Fiend, he has finally found gold.

Since becoming Bray Wyatt, he's been the most unique performer on the roster and has been the #1 promo guy in the company, but with The Fiend, Wyatt has the opportunity to do something that's never been seen in WWE before.

The debut may have only come less than 2 weeks ago, but the world has been talking about the genuinely creepy character that Wyatt now portrays, and it was almost perfect.

From the Bray Wyatt head lantern to the mannerisms, to his brutal in-ring work - The Fiend is here to stay, and it may be WWE's best character since The Undertaker.

WWE know this too, as they are treating The Fiend like a special attraction, and even if he never wins the WWE Championship (he should though), he will be a massive success.

#1 The Shield

7 years ago, 3 of WWE's brightest young stars made their mark
7 years ago, 3 of WWE's brightest young stars made their mark

The Shield made an impact on WWE like no other group in history, and it all started at Survivor Series 2012 when 3 unknown wrestlers from NXT appeared from absolutely nowhere.

Their goal was to protect CM Punk and his WWE Championship, but over the next 3 years, the trio of Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose would run roughshod over the entire WWE locker room.

Their impact on WWE will never be forgotten, as all 3 went on to achieve great success as singles stars, but it was the shock and awe of their debut that captured the attention of the entire WWE Universe.

As we mentioned at the beginning, this debut was shocking, fresh and would lead to many incredible in-ring performances, so it was everything WWE could be looking for, and given what all 3 men would do in WWE, this moment will go down in history and never be forgotten.

Meet the man who called CM Punk the softest man alive HERE