Throughout WCW history, most legends who had jump shipped from WWE or ECW - or began their wrestling careers in Ted Turner's organization - generally made their debut on weekly television rather than pay-per-view. Especially on Nitro during the Monday Night War, where WCW were determined to one-up Raw every week in the ratings.
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WCW officially ran their first PPV in 1991. The company had ups and downs in the early years, with the PPVs also being a mixed bag.
But there were several major pay-per-view debuts that shocked the wrestling world, making WCW fans want to tune-in to weekly television the next night to see more of these legends & newcomers. Some debuts even changed the entire course of professional wrestling, making the pay-per-views of historical importance.
8 Hacksaw Jim Duggan: Fall Brawl 1994
Won The United States Championship In His Pay-Per-View Debut
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
September 18, 1994 | Roanoke, Virginia, USA | 00:35 | Defeated Stunning Steve Austin via pinfall |
Hacksaw Jim Duggan had actually debuted for WCW prior to Fall Brawl 1994. But many presume that Duggan's first match for WCW was on pay-per-view because most of his matches had taken place at house shows and TV tapings that didn't air until after Fall Brawl.
Regardless, when Duggan made his first appearance at a WCW pay-per-view, it was a major surprise that overshadowed every other appearance he'd made in WCW so far. Fans cheered even more when Duggan defeated Steve Austin in no time at all to win the US Title. As detrimental as it was for Austin, it was one of the greatest moments in Duggan's career.
7 The Giant: Halloween Havoc 1995
Became WCW World Heavyweight Champion In His First Match
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
October 19, 1995 | Detroit, Michigan, USA | 14:30 | Defeated Hulk Hogan by disqualification |
At Slamboree 1995, Paul Wight made his first appearance for WCW as The Giant, appearing on the entryway. His in-ring debut came five months later at Halloween Havoc, in a World Title bout against none other than the Immortal Hulk Hogan.
Unfortunately, this match is tarnished by a lethargic pace, terrible overbooking, and the title changing hands via an unmentioned DQ rule. But the fact remains is that The Giant defeated Hulk Hogan himself to become WCW Champion in his first match, which is still an impressive feat on paper.
6 Rick Rude: Halloween Havoc 1991
Debuted As The Halloween Phantom, Then Unmasked Himself Afterward
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
October 27, 1991 | Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA | 01:27 | Defeated Tom Zenk via pinfall |
At Halloween Havoc 1991, a dark & mysterious stranger emerged from the haunted house set on top of the stage. Walking through the graveyard, cloaked and masked, The Halloween Phantom decimated Tom Zenk in no time at all.
But in a surprising twist, WCW fans were aghast when The Halloween Phantom revealed himself to be Ravishing Rick Rude, who had left the WWE in November 1990. With Paul E. Dangerously at his side, Rick Rude declared his intentions to take out Sting and become the United States Champion. It was an incredible debut for the Ravishing One, and would ultimately lead to Rick Rude having a legendary run as US Champion.
5 Big Van Vader: Great American Bash 1990
After His Debut, Vader Didn't Wrestle Again For WCW Until WrestleWar 1991
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
July 7, 1990 | Baltimore, Maryland, USA | 02:16 | Defeated Tom Zenk via pinfall |
The late, great Leon White arrived in WCW at The Great American Bash 1990. Fans in attendance were immediately in awe of The Mastadon's size & presence, entering the arena wearing a demonic-samurai headpiece with shoulder-pads.
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The subsequent match with Tom Zenk was a showcase of Vader's quickness, brutality, and his masterful ability to work. Big Van Vader decimated Zenk in no time at all, setting the tone for what would be a legendary career in WCW.
4 Rey Mysterio: Great American Bash 1996
Immediately Proved His Value In A Valiant Effort Against The Cruiserweight Champion
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
June 16, 1996 | Baltimore, Maryland, USA | 17:50 | Lost To Dean Malenko via pinfall |
After leaving ECW in March 1996, Rey Mysterio arrived in WCW three months later. His debut match was at The Great American Bash in a high-profile bout against Dean Malenko for the Cruiserweight Championship.
The masked luchador did not disappoint; amazing the WCW fans in a fantastic display against The Man of 1,000 Holds. Although Rey failed to capture the Cruiserweight Title in his debut, his performance here secured him a prominent spot in the cruiserweight division, and a great career in WCW.
3 Rowdy Roddy Piper: Halloween Havoc 1996
Hot Rod Immediately Confronted His Arch-Nemesis For The First Time In Four Years
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
October 26, 1996 | Paradise, Nevada, USA | N/A | N/A |
The NWO had dominated all of WCW since their inception, and Hollywood Hogan remained untouchable by retaining the World Heavyweight Championship over Randy Savage at Halloween Havoc 1996. But the arrival of Roddy Piper in WCW afterward rattled Hogan to his core.
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Armed with a mic, Hot Rod again cut a scathing promo on Hogan, which incited the WCW Champion to engage in 'The War That Didn't Settle The Score' at Starrcade 1997. After a legendary career in the WWE, Piper was once again shocking the world with a brand-new slate.
2 Hulk Hogan: Bash At The Beach 1994
The Hulkster Captured The WCW World Heavyweight Title In His First Match For The Company
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
July 17, 1994 | Orlando, Florida, USA | 21:54 | Defeated Ric Flair via pinfall |
The entire world was shocked and amazed when Hulk Hogan left the WWE in 1993. More so when he actually appeared in WCW in 1994, officially signing with them, and was then booked to face then-World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair for the title at Bash At The Beach 1994.
In what was regarded as the ultimate dream match, Hulkamania was reborn in all its glory. The Hogan/Flair matchup lived up to the hype, and saw The Hulkster capture the Big Gold Bout in his first match for WCW. One of the greatest matches in both legends' careers, and a perfect debut that was booked and celebrated as such.
1 The New World Order: Bash At The Beach 1996
Hulk Hogan Turned Heel And Formed A Villainous Stable With Kevin Nash And Scott Hall
Date | City | Match Length | Result |
July 7, 1996 | Daytona Beach, Florida, USA | 16:55 | The Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) wrestled Randy Savage, Lex Luger & Sting to a no-contest |
It was the moment where everything changed forever in professional wrestling. When Scott Hall and Kevin Nash arrived in WCW (uninvited and unannounced) in 1996, they disrupted WCW programming for weeks; challenging WCW's best to face them and their partner in the ring.
Hall and Nash's presence on Nitro had already sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling world, but in the main-event at Bash At The Beach - to everyone's horror & despair - Hulk Hogan was revealed as the third man in the new group when he betrayed WCW and attacked Randy Savage. The sight of wrestling's ultimate hero allied with the enemy created the New World Order. The devastating angle immediately put WCW on top and the rest was history.
