10 WCW Rip-Offs That Helped WWE Win The Monday Night War

9. The Cool Heel Faction

NWO DX
WWE.com

The formation of the New World Order was one of the most groundbreaking moments in modern wrestling. It changed the landscape of the wrestling world in the United States and turned the tide in WCW's favour for almost two years solid.

The rebellious group of anti-authoritarian renegades ran roughshod over the company, winning titles, disrespecting everyone, and spray painting their opponents along the way. It's no coincidence that that description in itself can be applied to both the nWo and D-Generation X.

Over a year after the nWo had taken over WCW, the WWF followed suit by creating their own band of rebels, when Triple H and Shawn Michaels joined forces in mid August 1997. Seemingly overnight, DX was born and the WWF clawed back considerable ground on their WCW opposition in the process.

Vanquishing the old guard and dragging the presentation into a gritty new direction, the WCW blueprint worked to perfection. DX was a huge success in almost every way that the nWo was before them, from t-shirt sales to even presenting their own branded PPV.

WWF followed WCW's lead almost to the letter, even right down to the stylistic presentation of the stable's entrance. With the quick cuts between live footage and grainy film, the DX entrance mimicked the nWo brilliantly - so much so, they arguably surpassed the original.

Contributor
Contributor

Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack. @MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!