WWE Raw: Examining The Best and The Worst of the Brand for 2017

Best Debuting Superstar: Samoa Joe

Full disclosure: I originally had Elias penciled in here, before remembering that Samoa Joe actually debuted in 2017. He’s been around so long, I just thought he had debuted before last New Year. Oops!

But rectifying that situation, there’s no way to have anyone but Joe in this top spot. Upon his debut, he literally wrecked Seth Rollins’s knee. He spent the next several weeks as Triple H’s “destroyer,” doing The Game’s bidding when necessary.

Following WrestleMania, Joe resumed his feud with a returning and healthy Seth Rollins. Because of the time passed, the feud never really clicked, but it put Joe on a path to enter the Universal Title picture. The image of Brock Lesnar turning purple while locked in the Coquina Clutch was classic, and it helped establish Joe as one of the most dangerous stars in WWE.

Heading into 2018, Joe is definitely in the midst of the main event, going up against Roman Reigns with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. It’s been a great first year on the main roster for Joe, and 2018 should be no different.

Honorable Mention: Asuka

Speaking of late debuts, the only thing preventing Asuka from being the top debut is missing the first ten months of the year in NXT and on the injury list. But credit to the Raw creative team – Asuka’s undefeated streak is still a big deal, and she’s been booked as the most dangerous woman on the roster. The Empress of Tomorrow is staking her claim for more championships today, and in 2018 she hopes to win the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble match to get that title opportunity.