5 Most memorable Survivor Series debuts

Ever since the first Survivor Series PPV in 1987, the show has been one of the most important on WWE’s calendar as is now considered one of the “Big 4” shows of the year. Know for the traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series rules match, the PPV has also been home to a number of notable debuts over the years including some of the biggest stars in WWE history.

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With this year’s edition of Survivor Series around the corner, let’s take a look at a number of Superstars who made their WWE bow at the show.

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Honourable mentions

Scott Steiner

To be completely fair, Scott Steiner made his second WWE debut at Survivor Series when he returned to the company in 2002, having already had a run in the promotion in the early 90’s.

Steiner attacked Matt Hardy and Christopher Nowitzki after interrupting their promo on New York and demanding that he be given the “****ing mic”, not aware that everyone had heard him.

Signing with RAW and thrust into the main-event scene soon after his debut in a program against Triple H, Steiner’s run at the top of the WWE card was brief and a complete disaster. He got booed out of the building during his title match with Triple H, despite being the babyface.

Steve Blackman

Steve Blackman made his in-ring debut at Survivor Series 1997

Another name from the late 90’s and early 2000’s who made their in-ring WWE debut at Survivor Series was Steve Blackman (if you don’t count a spell as a jobber about 10 years earlier). The trained martial artist made his debut at Survivor Series 97.

Blackman joined Vader’s “Team USA” and spent a number of years in WWE as a solid midcarder.

The Gobbledy Gooker

How can you have a Survivor Series debut list without it’s ironical crown jewel – The Gobbledy Gooker. The Gooker hatched from an egg live on TV after weeks of build up only to be soundly booed by fans as he danced around in the ring with “Mean” Gene.

Originally meant to be some sort of mascot, WWE soon backed out of that decision.

5: Sting

The year was 2014. Dolph Ziggler was at the top of his game and a part of Team Cena as they looked to banish The Authority for good. Ziggler found himself 4-1 down after Cena was eliminated by Rollins. After Big Show got himself counted out, Ziggler eliminated Kane and Luke Harper to find himself 1 v 1 with Rollins, when Triple H got involved.

He hit Ziggler with a Pedigree and when all seemed lost, Sting came out to hit HHH with a Scorpion Death Drop. He then pulled Ziggler over Rollins and the referee counted till 3, to seemingly banish The Authority forever.

4: Kurt Angle

WWE’s Olympic hero himself made his WWE debut at Survivor Series ’99 when he faced Shawn Stasiak. Introduced as an American Hero, he wasn’t well received by the crowd which led to him taking the mic in the middle of the match to berate the fans, telling them they shouldn’t boo an Olympic hero.

It was an inspired choice as Angle quickly climbed up the card went on the win the WWE Championship a little over a year after singing with WWE, quickly becoming one of the best im-ring performers in the entire company.

3: The Shield

Survivor Series 2012 was main-evented by CM Punk defending his WWE Championship against John Cena and Ryback. Ryback looked to have the match in the bag when Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns came out to make their main roster debut. They beat the living hell out of Ryback before hitting their first triple Powerbomb, sending Ryback through a table, leaving Punk to pin Cena to retain his title.

5 years later, each member of The Shield is a former world champion and they are one of the most beloved factions in WWE history. And if you lived under a rock and didn’t notice, they’re back together again and will face the New Day at this year’s Survivor Series.

2: The Rock

The Rock made his WWE debut as Rocky Maivia

To be fair, Rocky Maivia debuted at Survivor Series 96. Despite being the sole survivor of his team on his WWE debut, fans didn’t take to Rocky’s dated character. A year after his debut, Rocky was on his way to transforming himself into The Rock with the Nation of Domination.

We all know how it turned out for The Rock. He’s a 10-time world champion and one of the most iconic WWE Superstars of all time. Not only that, he’s also a global megastar and the world’s highest paid actor. There are also rumours that he may run for president in 2020….

1: The Undertaker

Undertaker made his debut at Survivor Series 1996

Come on, we all knew how this list was going to end. The Undertakers and Survivor Series have been synonymous since his debut in 1990 as part of the “Million Dollar Team”.

Although Taker didn’t end up as the sole survivor, he was still booked strong and got counted out after he chased Dusty Rhodes out of the ring. The Phenom went on to become a 7-time WWE Champion, a fan favourite and one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time.