“You only have one chance to make a first impression” is not strictly true in wrestling circles.
Someone who collapsed during his debut in the old WWF, for example, could head to the WCW for a hasty repackaging and do it again years later. The same can be said in the modern age – if WWE misbehaves with someone, it does not mean that AEW will do the same (and vice versa).
However, this does not excuse promotions for total confusion of what should have been one of the hottest debuts in the history of the industry. Seriously, some of the introductory ideas included in this list are enough to make a person feel anxious and are still annoying today.
WCW’s legendary f * ck ups are receiving a lot of attention, as are Vince McMahon’s most iconic bad debuts / re-debuts. TNA even got involved in the action and Tony Hahn didn’t get a pass either. There are two All Elite arrivals here that should remind everyone what happens when your list is bloated.
Are these the worst wrestling debuts? Not necessarily, but there were gross miscalculations that needed to be better thought out.
Enjoy the carnage …
When: June 18, 2001 (Raw).
Why it was a waste: It can start with a big thing.
Diamond Dallas Page captivated WCW fans by opposing nWo and presenting itself as the “people’s champion” of anyone who struggles with the chances of becoming a professional wrestler in the first place. He was one of the company’s most popular babies for some reason, and he must have been looking forward to meeting expectations in the WWF again.
Paige fell to the ground with an omnipotent blow when he realized what Vinnie Mack and friends had prepared for him. They were planning to turn him into a pursuer – he was at enmity with the Undertaker, of course, but only as a coward who obviously wanted Taker to kick his ass.
It obviously didn’t take long before it failed. DDP was also married to the smoking hot Kimberly at the time, which only made the situation more experienced. Christ knows what the creative forces of WWF thought when they created this together.
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