10 Best ROOKIE YEARS in WWE History

[@Cultaholic]

Apologies for the re-upload. Another video the KZbin overlords demonetised!

[@callum6511]

I thought I was going mental last week when I couldn’t find it after 15 minutes of searching!

[@NikDude18]

DOWN WITH THE MAN! OVERTHROW THE KZbin OVERLORDS!

[@tsdfrancis]

I was very confused but thanks for the explanation! I'm still confused on how AJ didn't make this list tho!

[@nightstreak]

Understandable guys, still a great video

[@anuragkat66]

@@tsdfrancis Me too

[@theunderdogfromtheundergro7173]

Surprised that AJ Styles wasn't on this list, he had a great debut in WWE at a right time when they were just giving smaller guys a chance in 2016

[@anuragkat66]

Me too was waiting for him in the whole list, Arguably the Best wrestler with one of the best rookie years, My Favorite: The Phenominal, AJ Styles

[@JustChrisTM]

Same. Before I even clicked the video, my mind said, "Okay, Brock, Angle, AJ Styles, and who else?"

[@PatricksCrazyPlace]

It was hard to view him as a "rookie" considering how long he was an established veteran before getting there. TECHNICALLY, he was a WWE Rookie when he came in, but its easy to see why he would slip the mind.

[@njk9091]

we're talking about rookies though, aj styles was already an established main eventer in the industry...

[@Hurtts101]

@@njk9091 true, but Del Rio was in Mexico as well🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kirkdsouza9410]

Brock's rookie year had to be the best - won king of the ring - won the wwe title in 3 months - won the royal rumble - mainevented and won wrestlemania 19 - ORIGINAL LEGEND KILLER.. beat the Hardys, Flair, RVD, Hogan, Rock, Taker, Big Show and Kurt Angle

[@danieltaylor6587]

Yeah but did you see how bliss went from having an eating Disorder and unhealthy to skilled wrestler with the most 🎂 🍑 in just a year and a half

[@Kingbossdon]

Yea but Kurt Angle was better undefeated streak then European Champion then Intercontinental Champion becoming a Eurocontinental champion lost both titles without being pinned. Then wins King Of The Ring and beats the Rock beats undertaker and won the 6-man Hell In A Cell.

[@bigga9319]

@@danieltaylor6587 bayley 🍑 fatter

[@guillaumejuillard8258]

it's between Angle and Lesnar as the best rookie year for sure. Angle beat the Rock, Triple H, Undertaker, Edge, Austin, Hardys and won the 6 man armageddon hell in a cell also... I think it might be a little bit better than Lesnar even though both are pretty impressive. Impossible to do better than these 2 guys.

[@heelgill]

In my opinion, Brock Lesnar’s debut and rise to the top card is still by far the best till this day. He dominated through the ranks. Defeated The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, and many more. They had high hopes for him and it worked well. He’s still doing his thing!

[@DarrylKeithFord-DarrylFord]

Possibly of one the on BEST rookie years in WWE, along with Randy Orton and John Cena during early-mid 2002

[@MrDead00]

In his 2 years with wwe he had done anything , IT was Such a great talent... Well, he was called "Next big thing" for a reason.

[@SyrianHch]

He was called "The Next Big Thing" for a very good reason. Like how Kurt Angle described him, "Brock was 265 lbs and he could move like he was 140 lbs"

[@JGTrons]

@@DarrylKeithFord-DarrylFord Cena had a terrible rookie year, he was on the verge of getting released till he became the Dr. of Thugonomics

[@MandalorianRevan]

Honestly, I'm glad Kurt Angle topped this list. I was a Kurt Angle fan from the very beginning and him winning the Royal Rumble, King of the Ring and the European, Intercontinental and World Championships in less than 12 months while beating Kane, Triple H, The Rock, Big Show, Jericho, Benoit and others justified my faith in him. I think his rookie accomplishments easily matches and surpasses Brock's wins over The Rock, Hogan, Big Show, Undertaker, Kurt Angle and his own Royal Rumble, King of the Ring and two WWE Title wins.

[@KidCthulhu82]

In Kayfabe, Kane should be on this list. Co- Main evented Wrestlemania, won the WWF Championship at the King of The ring just 7 months after his in ring debut.

[@laaaaaaaaaaangweilig]

True but only in kayfabe. Glen Jacobs wasn't a rookie anymore

[@KidCthulhu82]

@@laaaaaaaaaaangweilig I know, I just had to mention it haha

[@ParadiseDB7]

@@laaaaaaaaaaangweilig Different gimmick, different debut 🤷🏻‍♂️ Kane should be in this list.

[@UncensoredMMA]

​@@ParadiseDB7 lol that's not how it works

[@ParadiseDB7]

@@UncensoredMMA but it is though, like literally that's how it works 🤔

[@oscarvargas3318]

I’m shocked Kevin Owens isn’t on this list if you count next too he had a amazing first year capturing the NXT Championship, beating John Cena in his first main roster match at BattleGround, winning the IC title , having a amazing ladder match at Mania 32 and ending it with a awesome duo of matches with Sami Zayn at payback and battleground 2016

[@damaniresida9887]

Elimination chamber*

[@2011SoxMD36]

Every time I see a video that even REMOTELY could include Orton, I just hope he's in there to hear the song. NANA NANA NANA NANA NA NA NA!

[@Realericpickens]

RANDALL RANDALL KEITH! RANDALL KEITH! RANDALL RANDALL KEEEEIIITH

[@simbarocksone]

@@Realericpickens NANA NANA NANA NANA NA NA NA! RANDALL, RANDALL KEITH! RANDALL KEITH! RAANDALL RANDALL KEEITH!

[@DOMCRUZMUSIC]

Is there a deeper reason behind this song, or is it just random brilliance 😅

[@WhoDoYouKnow03]

This was so good the first time, I'll have to watch it again a second time :P

[@ChristopherJohn4389]

Angle, Lesnar, Del Rio...that's really all that instantly comes to mind.

[@blackholex7456]

For me Sheamus, Lesnar, del Rio, Alexa, and Paige

[@deonteosayande8420]

#8...bitcoin, lmaooooo that was the funniest commercial break ever

[@braaauuunuhc4985]

how is AJ Styles not on this list, rumble debut -> entertaining feud with Jericho -> great matches with Roman -> getting the better of JOHN CENA -> top guy on SmackDown in the 2016 golden era

[@aaronm8143]

My first thought at the end is where was AJ?

[@shivnarayansharma6722]

Aj was veteran when he came to wwe not a rookie

[@aaronm8143]

monu sharma he was still a WWE rookie, but yea that’s probably why he’s not on here. If it were a best first year in WWE he would be.

[@JungleBunkRootsMusic2022]

@@shivnarayansharma6722 But the list said "best rookie year in WWE history". AJ technically was a rookie in wwe. Tna and njpw dont count. He should have been on this list. Styles had an incredible 2016.

[@shivnarayansharma6722]

But he did not win any championship 8n his first year

[@DJDoubleCee]

I think Brock Lesnar had the best rookie year, WWE sure did give him a big push. Already giving him their top belt after being with the company for a few months. Even main eventing a WrestleMania. He really did accomplish a lot in such a short amount of time.

[@cheesepuff8317]

Kurt Angle.

[@Helldog6]

@@cheesepuff8317 .. Is fantastic, but off accomplishments alone, I think it's still Brock.

[@Kingbossdon]

@@Helldog6 nah Kurt angle is way better he captured 3 of the 4 major championships King Of the Ring beats all the top guys in one match and had a undefeated streak. Kurt Angle was groomed better. Brock Lesnar definitely was great just not better than Kurt Angle

[@blackholex7456]

Brock Lesnar also won royal Rumble in first attempt just like del Rio

[@t-bro9529]

Sheamus getting a main event push earlier on was the most unexpected. I was shocked he beat Cena at TLC 2009 capturing the WWE Championship. WWE made a good decision.

[@dvonnlynch1607]

To this day I still feel like that was accidental. The way Cena fell through the table and Sheamus’ face just make it seem like it wasn’t supposed to happen that way.

[@Ricky-101]

@@dvonnlynch1607 Accurately it was because yes John was supposed to go throw the table but at the same time as sheamus did. It was only botch when John Cena slip off the turned buckle and went through the table first.

[@dvonnlynch1607]

@@Ricky-101 oh okay so it was supposed to be some sort of draw instead of a sheamus win?

[@petefroude1785]

You're forgetting about Paige's debut she won the belt performing the page Turner first day first move first championship.

[@petefroude1785]

The was all the NXT belt not WWE belt giggity giggity..

[@Helldog6]

@Hot Jambalaya Definitely didn't soil my eyes tho.... hehe.... giggity.

[@bigga9319]

@@petefroude1785 she beat aj lee for the divas championship on her debut night on raw

[@luedanger561]

Let's go Damien Priest! 🇵🇷

[@simbarocksone]

AJ Styles needs to be on this list because he was Mr TNA for years and he became a huge star in WWE. Also, he had an AMAZING 2016!

[@PerfectImperfection64]

My guess as to why he didn't make the list was because he didn't win at Mania where as most of the ones on this list did as well as most of the ones on the list won the world title faster than he did

[@dalemunday3502]

Sheamus won the WWE title at Fatal 4 Way the night I was born. (20/6/2010)

[@TheShockninja]

Let's replace Alberto Del Rio with AJ Styles please.

[@sceligator]

In all fairness AJ couldn't really be considered a rookie by the time he got to WWE

[@kevindunn2099]

@@sceligator neither could Alberto

[@jesuspalacios2580]

No

[@ChristopherJohn4389]

@@kevindunn2099 AJ wasn't promoted as a "new guy". He was brought in as a veteran who finally made it to wwe. "Del Rio" was more of a WWE creation.

[@All7media]

Del rio won the rumble and the title and money in the bank aj won the title and had great matches

[@ceejay3121]

Asuka was definitely snubbed here.

[@bradleymoore9628]

Day 3 of requesting a video where you take the best match from each Wrestlemania and rank them

[@SavageGXEP]

Best worst made me chuckle good one 👍🏽

[@aaronhurst4379]

It took me until halfway through this to realise this was a reupload lol

[@MisterMercer3]

0:05 NL BOYZ

[@StreetScience92]

Rusev should be here. -Undefeated Streak -U.S. Title -Wrestlemania Tank Entrance

[@ParadiseDB7]

-Squashed by John Cena

[@blackholex7456]

@@ParadiseDB7 so 15+ minutes match is squashed match? dumba$$ kiddo

[@ShiningJudgment666]

@@blackholex7456 Glorified squash.

[@ManeeVaughn]

Honorable Mentions: Mr. Kennedy & Muhammad Hassan. Those 2 were feuding and beating main eventers left and right in their 1st year!

[@superrobz]

It’s a shame that when Rhyno came into the WWE around 2001 they didn’t keep him as “the rookie monster” like in ECW when he was wrecking guys left right & centre. That would’ve been amazing.. instead he was just another guy from another promotion being treated as inferior

[@RileyScarletSpiderGirl]

Rhino is massively underappreciated should have had more success than he did not to take away from his career tho because he's had one to be proud of.

[@njk9091]

if vince wasn't gonna push taz, he sure as shit wasn't gonna push rhino either...

[@HoV326]

@@RileyScarletSpiderGirl plus the guy had arguably the best version of the spear in my opinion. Everytime he did it, it looked the receiver was getting hit by a speeding car

[@superrobz]

@@njk9091 WWE did push taz to start with, then politics got involved

[@njk9091]

@@superrobz bruh they only pushed taz for a night and then he was buried the following tuesday by triple h, what are you talking about??

[@aaronbassett9193]

The Rock had a pretty good rookie year

[@scottdixon1986]

One I feel is overlooked because of how his time in WWE ended , is Rusev. His rookie year on main roster was quite impressive

[@ParadiseDB7]

It was alright, but he got squashed by Cena and only had the US title

[@aaronm8143]

Surprised AJ Styles wasn’t on this. Didn’t he win the world title within a year of his WWE run?

[@slibertas1996]

More like 6 months

[@jamesleej09]

He wasn't a rookie tho

[@slibertas1996]

@@jamesleej09 First year in a new fed. Yes he was technically a rookie so it counts.

[@blackholex7456]

@@jamesleej09 okay, what about Alexa bliss?

[@Eman-wj8gq]

My favorite wrestler is Kurt Angle. It was a bummer when he left to TNA I felt a lot of great years were lost. But they had their reasons for the split. Great performer.

[@ParadiseDB7]

Should have watched TNA, so many great matches he had with AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Bobby Roode, etc. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@0fficialcj249]

I think lita had a good rookie year she was prominently featured, very much over, and won the champion and kinda actually kickoffed the women’s division all in her rookie year

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

I miss both Brock Lesnar & Ronda Rousey

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

Even before clicking on this, I already knew that Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey was gonna be the top 3.

[@jasonjimerson7046]

This is a solid list.

[@BitcoinTakeover]

Yes Kurt Angle's first year in WWF was great, but did you know that he's won the olympic gold medal with a broken friggin neck?

[@McCrispyTaco]

Finn Balor had a great rookie year tbh. He beat Roman Reigns, Cesaro, Rusev, Kevin Owens, and Seth Rollins all within his first month or two of being on the main roster. And he became the first ever universal champion on his debut pay per view.

[@ParadiseDB7]

*great rookie month. Also, he beat Roman and then beat Seth and got injured for a year. Best rookie MONTH of all time no doubt, but year? Eh

[@Corndog1997]

Hehe, Kurt Angle in some type of angle lol

[@FariqSniff]

Undertaker was every child nightmare once

[@Thor-Orion]

I wouldn’t call trying a shooting star press at 6’5” and 250 pounds after a 20 minute intense match good “ring generalship.” Hahaha

[@ParadiseDB7]

He's successfully landed it many times, he just got nervous because Kurt Angle asked him to do it.

[@Cloud121D]

Granted, Lashley was booked to win the World Title in 2008/2009, but he left in January 2008 because of Michael Hayes. Still dreaming of Brock Lesnar vs Black Lesnar (aren't we all?). Perhaps Survivor Series 2021? WWE Champion vs Universal Champion?

[@lilpoetat]

thanks!

[@anuragkat66]

Where is AJ, was waiting for him in the whole list, Arguably the Best wrestler with one of the best rookie years, My Favorite: The Phenominal, AJ Styles

[@CC-pg8up]

I certain he was included onto the list because he was already an established star in other wrestling promotions.

[@CC-pg8up]

Was not*

[@ArranStevens]

Dakota Kai repping my boys, nL in the first 8 seconds!

[@evrbody]

Big Dawg doing Big Dawg things.

[@TheFightMan]

Before the video even started I sent a like

[@LoePenzz]

Angle over Lesnar. It's just neat and natural start with Mid Title, KotR, Main Title, and better storyline. Don't forget the mic skill + ring personality with easy adaptation depends on situation + wide discussion with any thing and quickly became the most hated/annoying heel during Attitude Era.

[@jakefrazer4780]

I'm surprised Kevin nash wasn't mentioned

[@reimixo]

To me the difference is that u thought Kurt could beat anybody, u thought nobody could beat Brock Lesnar didn't rise, he arrived

[@kylethompson8949]

AJ Styles says hello

[@McMahonHater]

Charlotte's first year is proof that name recognition helps.

[@jerransperarman9411]

good video

[@JasperJunior94]

I'm seeing double, 4 uploads! 😱

[@RoxxiHorror]

Rousey would also be a great addition to the best worst person list

[@PowerRangerfan]

The Sheild actually won those titles on the same night in 2013.

[@martinrubio6357]

Sheamus became champion quick

[@tequilapapii5936]

Kurt Angle walked so Brock Lesnar could run and then reverse and then run all over again 🤣

[@Nbflowers1989]

Great!

[@dumbboi4887]

Just saying taker came out and said that hogan was pretty much just gaslighting the fuck out out of him before hand and said that taker had him " too secure"

[@FariqSniff]

In my opinion Brock Lesnar push was a good decision

[@JohnP74]

Brock deserves that #1 spot

[@martinrubio6357]

Kurt angle became a star

[@itsmeandnotyou113]

Thought Santino Marella would make the list. IC title in debut match

[@G.MONEY.]

What about Paige? or Santino Morella? They both won major titles in their "first" match.

[@dariamorgendorffer9359]

paige and aj styles?😭

[@anthonyamoroso329]

The list is fine but Brock and Angle should be switched. Brock has a few more accolades than Angle with a Rumble win, a Mania main event win and beating Hogan, Flair, Undertaker and the Rock in the same year. Surely that's more impressive than holding, the IC and Euro titles at the same time. He also won the title in shorter time and while the beat the same guy to win their first, Brock did it on a bigger stage.

[@williamsmith666]

Imagine how long it would have taken Charlotte to get anywhere if she had different pedigree...

[@JohnJones-gr4ip]

Paige legit won the title her first night on the main roster, it don't get no better than that.

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

Ronda Rousey's debut is by far the best female debut in WWE history

[@fernandoreyes680]

Paige tho

[@thepatsnumber1fan]

AJ Styles? Ric Flair?

[@LachsMcCabe]

Can anyone tell me what happened with Del Rio?

[@grapefruitsimmons]

Ugh Shamus is partly why I stopped watching wrestling. That, Edge/Litas live "sex show", Cena, and JBL championship run.

[@theycallmedom4157]

Brock also won his king of the ring.

[@tehjboney4249]

The Undertaker should’ve had the WWF Title until the Royal Rumble at least because The Undertaker should’ve been booked like a monster never losing unless some form of interference.The Undertaker should’ve lost the title to Hulk Hogan after some interference from Jake The Snake Roberts who would cost The Undertaker the belt.The Undertaker vs Jake The Snake Roberts would continue to WrestleMania 8 where The Undertaker would defeat The Snake at Mania in a pure classic.Alberto Del Rio should’ve continued his feud with Rey Mysterio and then allow him to have either a US Title reign or IC Title reign to show does he have what it takes to be a main event player in WWE and then have him win the Money In The Bank briefcase and cash in not on the WWE Title but after the World Heavyweight Title after the finishing moments of Christian vs Randy Orton at SummerSlam.Ronda Rousey should’ve had some better feuds her feud with The Bella Twins was kinda lackluster but her feud with The Riot Squad could’ve been ten times better if WWE presented The Riots as something deadly.Ronda and Sasha feud could’ve been over the RAW Women’s Title but also see a brief heel turn from Sasha which would invite Bayley into the storyline after Sasha would use a kendo stick to attack Ronda after their match and bring in multiple weapons to lay waste to Rousey.Bayley would come to the aid of Ronda and would try to question Banks integrity leading to Sasha leaving and being shocked at what she done.Kurt Angle should’ve won the WWF Title at SummerSlam by beating both HHH and The Rock in the same ring and capturing his first ever WWF Championship.

[@bryanmuse5142]

I don't want to be a mean or take away from Kurt Angle HOF. I FELT some of his stories was due to Owen Hart horrible accident. Wwe writes storylines year in advance. I really think Eddie, Jericho, Hhh, Benoit was suppost to be vs Owen for titles and fueds. I may be wrong. Again nothing against Angle. Imagine Owen vs Angle would have been fckn insane.

[@Hurtts101]

Wasn’t Diesel a Triple Crown winner his first year?!?

[@fred70829]

They really shoulda gave au the best. I think they shoulda had him win the rumble

[@franky2raw457]

crazy how yall put in that cheap shot on Del Rio even though he didn't do anything smh

[@akale2620]

This is an old video re uploaded so that's probably why ko and aj aren't on the list.

[@ReeseBBeckerTCG]

I don’t remember Sheamus in ECW

[@scottmccurdy6493]

And yet they still thought Brock needed the rub of ending the Streak. 🙄🙄🙄

[@Brown87]

10:30 Do you see what I see? 😸

[@jvstice56]

Outside of one individual, everyone here had good, great, and legendary rookie years. Brock easily had the best rookie year in terms of in house developmental talents. Kurt's is an example of how one from outside the sport can easily graft to it and solidify themselves as a legitimate star. Ronda is in the same mold as Angle and if she had stayed a lot longer, could've had one of the best transitional careers in WWE history. In my eyes, those three are the Gold Standards for their respective areas.

[@martinrubio6357]

Rip yokozuna

[@tuahahussain9176]

We get it Adam, you don't like Del Rio.

[@Jorgen.mp4]

Charlotte and Roman are overpushed

[@thirdworldrenegade]

I can't figure out who's the most garbage: Charlotte Flair, Alberto Del Rio, or Ronda Rousey...?

[@JarodJoseph]

BANZ-EYE! 🇯🇵

[@thenextdouglassbubbletrous1062]

Seamus is soo pale. Look like an Irish ghost.

[@leemarshall674]

AJ over Del Rio or KO definitely.

[@ChrisPayneHBTW]

No AJ Styles or Kevin Owens?

[@hitmiss1]

So your telling me AJ styles isn't on this list

[@sameoldshame5298]

Paige won the title on her first match

[@loganchaplin5528]

Hi

[@armnhc84]

How do you put Lashley on here, but leave AJ off? Because he wasn’t a rookie to pro wrestling? Fail!

[@thenxn619]

Ehh! Really disagree on Bobby Lashley, cause left pretty soon and had not really won the World Title or WWE Title. Don’t count the ECW title.

[@akray4044]

Wow no Aj styles in the list.

[@hassanismailsindhiismailsi573]

Where is AjStyles?

[@JohnnyFWA]

I’m not rooting for you, Damian Priest

[@alzackcamberly3632]

Ummm...Asuka?

[@ericvyskocil7428]

Ric flair...

[@leemarshall674]

AJ Styles over Del Rio.