2016 was a big year for wrestling fans, and it was full of surprises, unforgettable moments, and epic WWE entrances. Shane McMahon returned, Goldberg returned, AJ Styles debuted, and new champions were crowned.
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This year was full of big moments, and it was also full of epic WWE entrances. From Triple H, to AJ Styles, to Shane McMahon, to Bobby Roode, the stars of the WWE made their way to the ring in style this year. Today we’re going to take a look back at the top 10 most epic WWE entrances from 2016.
#10 – Sasha Banks – WrestleMania 32
Sasha Banks has worked hard to make a name for herself in the WWE, but for WrestleMania 32 she called in a little help from her famous cousin, Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg joined Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 32 this year, and he added a little something extra to the big event, as he dropped a verse and hyped up the fans before Sasha made her way down the ramp.
Unfortunately the hype wasn’t enough to carry Sasha to a victory at WrestleMania 32, but there are quite a few people out there who feel that Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch stole the show at the big event.
#9 – The Undertaker – SmackDown 900
There’s no denying that The Undertaker’s entrance at WrestleMania 32 was breathtaking. His WrestleMania entrance always is. But Undertaker appearances on SmackDown are few and far between nowadays, and there was just something special about the entrance The Undertaker made during SmackDown’s 900th episode.
As Team SmackDown prepared for Survivor Series, the team began to fall apart due to in-fighting. However, as soon as The Undertaker’s music hit, stars such as AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Shane McMahon, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Edge and James Ellsworth all stood in awe as they watched the Deadman approach the ring.
#8 – Finn Balor – Raw
Ever since his NXT debut fans have been waiting patiently for Finn Balor to get called up to the WWE main roster, and in 2016, he finally arrived. Finn Balor was drafted to Raw in the first round of the WWE Draft, and he was quickly thrust into the Universal Title picture.
Finn Balor’s Demon King entrance got a lot of people talking in NXT, and the Demon King finally made his presence felt on the main roster during the August 15 episode of Raw.
#7 – AJ Styles – Royal Rumble
In the weeks leading up the Royal Rumble the internet was buzzing as everyone tried to figure out whether or not AJ Styles would really be making his debut at the big event. Well, luckily for AJ Styles, and wrestling fans around the world, the rumors turned out to be true.
Fans waited with bated breath as the Royal Rumble clock counted down and the first two entrants were introduced. When the clock hit zero and the third entrant was revealed, fans were introduced to some unfamiliar entrance music as a shadowy, hooded figure made his way into the arena.
After a few seconds the man took off his hood, and revealed himself to be AJ Styles. The fans went wild when AJ arrived in WWE, and since the Royal Rumble he’s become one of WWE’s most popular, and successful stars.
#6 – Bobby Roode – NXT TakeOver: Toronto
There’s no denying that Bobby Roode had an epic 2016. Roode joined NXT earlier this year and ever since he made his debut he’s been on fire. Bobby Roode has definitely taken his career to the next level in NXT, and there’s no denying that his entrance music played a big role in his ascension.
Bobby Roode’s “Glorious” entrance music has changed his career, and most wrestling fans agree that on its own, the song is absolutely epic. But somehow Bobby Roode and the folks at NXT found a way to make it even more epic by adding a choir to Roode’s entrance at NXT TakeOver: Toronto.
#5 – The New Day WrestleMania 32
The New Day had a big year in 2016. They managed to break Demolition’s record and become the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions of all time, and they also had one of the more memorable entrances at WrestleMania 32.
In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 32, The New Day continuously teased that they had something crazy planned for their entrance. The New Day weren’t allowed to ride unicorns around AT&T Stadium like they had hoped, but they still managed to pull off an entertaining entrance which featured a giant box of Booty-O’s, and some Dragon Ball Z inspired costumes.
#4 – Triple H – WrestleMania 32
Triple H is known for his over the top entrances, but his entrance at WrestleMania 32 may have been his most bizarre one yet. The Game pulled out all the stops for his WrestleMania 32 entrance, and he was introduced by Stephanie McMahon who appeared to be doing her best Shao Kahn impression.
When Stephanie McMahon’s speech ended, Triple H made his way to the ring accompanied by soldiers in skull masks who were holding WWE Championship belts. Over the top seems to be an understatement when it comes to this entrance, but by the time WrestleMania 32 was over, this was the entrance most people were talking about, for better or worse.
#3 – Shinsuke Nakamura – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II
Shinsuke Nakamura made some epic entrances during this year’s NXT TakeOver events, and his entrance at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II was absolutely captivating. Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance music is enjoyable in its own right, but when he made his way to the ring for his NXT Title match in Brooklyn, he was accompanied by a very talented violinist who added something special to his music while the thousands in attendance sang along.
The entrance was simple, but it had just enough flair to make it feel special. Shinsuke Nakamura probably could have just called it a night after this memorable entrance and no one would have been disappointed, but luckily for all the fans watching around the world, Nakamura followed up on his epic entrance by defeating Samoa Joe and becoming the NXT Championship.
#2 – Goldberg – Raw
After 12 long years away from the WWE, Goldberg finally returned in 2016, and he signed himself up for a match with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016.
For years now rumors of Goldberg’s return have been making the rounds on the internet, and when it was announced that Goldberg was set to appear on Raw in October, it was one of those things that most fans felt they had to see to believe.
Luckily for everyone who tuned in, Goldberg’s return did not disappoint. Seeing Goldberg make his iconic entrance on Raw for the first time in 12 years was a big moment for fans around the world, and it was hard not to get swept up in the moment.
#1 – Shane McMahon – Raw
In 2009 Shane McMahon stepped away from WWE, and in 2016 he made his triumphant return to the company. During an episode of Raw which aired back in February, Shane McMahon shocked the world when he showed up to confront his father and his sister, and the fans greeted him with a deafening ovation.
There was absolutely nothing flashy about Shane McMahon’s entrance, but we’re not here to talk about the flashiest entrances of the year, we’re here to talk about the most epic WWE entrances of 2016, and this one was epic indeed.
Nowadays it’s not easy for WWE to pull off big moments like this one, but Shane McMahon’s return was something that no one saw coming, and it was a return that wrestling fans won’t soon forget.
In your opinion, what was the most epic WWE entrance of 2016? Sound off in the comments below.
