It’s rare to be surprised by much in the professional wrestling world nowadays. Between journalists and dirt sheet writers providing daily blurbs of information to theories floating around on social media, the unprecedented access of fans to the behind-the-scenes aspects of sports entertainment has been both a blessing and a curse. While it’s always nice to hear of the debut or return of a performer, knowing about it ahead of time runs the risk of creating inauthentic or, worse, deadened reactions at times.

Leave it to the world’s leader in sports entertainment to flip the industry completely on its head.

On all three of WWE’s weekly programs this past week, three game-changing debuts occurred: fans witnessed the jarring debut of the Wyatt Sicks faction on Monday Night Raw, the surprise appearance of TNA star Joe Hendry on NXT, and former Major League Wrestling champion Jacob Fatu adding a new twist to the Bloodline saga on SmackDown.

So what is there to make about all of this? What are the short and long-term ramifications of these moves?

Let’s start with the Wyatt Sicks, whose debut has been about a year in the making. The brainchild of the late, great Windham Rotunda (aka Bray Wyatt), the groundwork for the faction was laid out during his Firefly Funhouse segments and built upon as time went on. Rotunda’s meticulous storytelling highlighted a true love for his craft, making for compelling television whenever he appeared on screen. Unfortunately, health problems would derail the storyline and, tragically, lead to Rotunda’s passing last August due to complications brought on by COVID-19.

However, a good story doesn’t die so soon. Rotunda’s real-life sibling Bo Dallas, making his return to WWE, took the mantle of Uncle Howdy in 2022 and has now been tasked to spearhead the latest act of this story. That act was revealed to be the Wyatt Sicks faction, a group donning real-life depictions of Firefly Funhouse characters. Alongside Dallas as Uncle Howdy, the faction sees the return of Erick Rowan as Ramblin’ Rabbit and the repackages of Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, and Joe Gacy as Abby the Witch, Mercy the Buzzard, and Huskus the Pig Boy, respectively.

On the June 17 edition of RAW, the group orchestrated arguably the most bone-chilling debut in WWE history, beginning with the lights going out in the arena and showing the Firefly Funhouse door, similar to how Wyatt would come out on stage. This time, however, Nikki Cross in a Kayako from The Grudge-esque portrayal of Abby the Witch crawling towards Wyatt’s signature lantern before standing and pointing backstage. The audience saw the backstage area in disarray, complete with the members of the Wyatt Sicks amidst the carnage, until the sight of a bloodied Chad Gable gave way to the appearance of Uncle Howdy. Howdy would then lead the faction to the entrance ramp before shouting “We’re here!” and blowing out the lantern, also akin to Wyatt’s entrances.

The debut was as emotionally charged for the participants as it was for the audience, as Dallas finally has the opportunity to bring Rotunda’s storyline to reality. He won’t be the only one with personal investment in this endeavor, however; Rowan also possesses a deep connection with Rotunda. Rowan debuted alongside Wyatt in the Wyatt Family in 2012 and has been closely associated with ever since. Another wrestler who debuted alongside the two was Luke Harper, who also went by Mr. Brodie Lee in All Elite Wrestling. Tragically, Harper (real name Jonathan Huber) would pass away in December 2020 due to pulmonary fibrosis. With Rowan being the remaining member of the Wyatt Family, he will certainly have an emotional stake in this story. Cross, Lumis, and Gacy all have experience playing unhinged characters in the past, and there is the possibility that another member could be added as the story progresses. Whatever the case may be, the Wyatt Sicks’ debut has certainly put the RAW brand on notice.

However, the debut was not the most-watched clip on WWE’s social media channels this week. That honor would go to Joe Hendry, whose debut on NXT has hit over six million views and counting on WWE’s YouTube channel. While his appearance was brief, the notable crowd reaction and backstage segment with Shawn Michaels indicated that it will certainly not be the last time Hendry pops up on WWE programming.

To those unaware of Hendry’s work, this clip is the perfect example of what the Scottish star brings to the table. A former musician and fixture of the United Kingdom wrestling circuit, Hendry has seamlessly bridged the gap between music and professional wrestling. His popularity has reached the point where his current theme song, “I Believe In Joe Hendry,” topped the music charts in the United Kingdom. Hendry doesn’t just apply his musical chops to his entrance music, however, as he has also covered popular songs in his promos. He can also perform well in the ring, winning championships in several United Kingdom-based promotions and reaching the top 100 in the 2023 PWI 500, Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s list of the top 500 wrestlers in the world.

Hendry is just the latest TNA star to cross over into WWE programming since the two companies began their working relationship. TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace appeared at the Royal Rumble and challenged NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at NXT Battleground, and Frankie Kazarian also appeared in a battle royal alongside Hendry. The early results have likely surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations, and has likely opened the door for an expansion of the partnership between the two companies. Hendry will almost certainly be one of the major players of this crossover, and his already astonishing popularity should only increase from continued exposure on WWE.

The hits would only keep on coming, as SmackDown would see Jacob Fatu emerge as the latest member of the Bloodline. The story of the Bloodline faction has continued to be a focal point of SmackDown after WrestleMania XL, when Roman Reigns’s 1,316 day-long reign as WWE Universal Champion came to an end at the hands of Cody Rhodes. Since then, Reigns has been absent from WWE, while his cousin (and son of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi) Solo Sikoa has emerged to take control of the faction. Since then, Sikoa has almost entirely rebuilt the Bloodline in his own image, removing Jimmy Uso and adding Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa from New Japan Pro Wrestling to the fold. The addition of Fatu, however, has the ability to provide added legitimacy to the group, especially while Reigns remains off television.

Son of the Tonga Kid and nephew of Umaga and Rikishi, Fatu is most known for his time in Major League Wrestling. In his six-year tenure with the promotion, Fatu held the MLW World Heavyweight Championship for a company-record 819 days. A free agent in February, Fatu was arguably the most coveted name on the market, with every major promotion vying for his signature. His debut on SmackDown put an exclamation point on his decision, and he will likely get to compete against some of WWE’s top stars as part of the Bloodline.

Fatu’s debut also comes with long-term ramifications, especially due to his involvement in a long-existing storyline. Umaga’s son Zilla Fatu sent a message on Instagram saying “See you soon,” indicating that the Bloodline may be gaining another member soon. Eventually, however, things will unravel, especially when Reigns makes his return to television. Both Jimmy and Jey Uso will likely re-enter the storyline at some point, and even The Rock could pop up again at any time. A program between Reigns and the Rock for control of the Bloodline is certainly one that needs no added stakes or hype, and it would be a penciled-in main event for one night of WrestleMania XLI if the stars align.

It’s rare that fans get to witness a debut that changes the complexion of WWE. This past week, the WWE Universe was treated to not just one, but three such occurrences. The Wyatt Sicks adds a new chapter to Bray Wyatt’s legacy and can create plenty of new stars in the process. Joe Hendry has the potential to be the face of the collaboration between WWE and TNA. Jacob Fatu can establish himself as a major player in WWE with his work in the Bloodline, and there is every reason to believe he can be their next Samoan superstar. Where these storylines ultimately end up is still very much a mystery, but this has been the most excited I’ve personally been for WWE’s content in a while. It’s a saying that’s been used frequently in the past few years, but it rings truer now than it has in most cases: it’s a great time to be a professional wrestling fan.