10 Reasons Why You Need To Respect Kevin Nash
6. The 1996 Diesel Run
Pioneering the 'tweener' role in mainstream North America, Diesel's late-1995 turn to the dark side was an innovative twist on the well-worn trope of a beloved babyface turning his back on the fans.
Angrily firing back on WWE's 'corporate suits' the night after losing the the World Heavyweight Title to Bret 'Hitman' Hart at November's Survivor Series, Diesel venomously laid into the company as a whole, subtly referencing Vince McMahon's position as owner and exposing the hierarchy behind the wrestlers for the first time on WWE TV.
Referencing an infamous magazine cover that saw Diesel grinning ear-to-ear shortly after first winning the title, Nash blamed the enforced restrictions placed on him as a corporate puppet for softening him during his title reign, and promised a return to the vicious demeanour fans had gravitated to during his dominant performance in the 1994 Royal Rumble.
To put a finer point on his character, though ostensibly a heel, Diesel remained on-screen friends with white meat babyface Shawn Michaels, and would still willingly high-five any fan wearing his black glove.
Not only did this establish Nash's character as a law unto himself, it also kept his image prominent (and merchandise sales healthy!) despite the turn.