When it launched in 1996, the New World Order turned out to be the idea which helped WCW claim the top spot in wrestling. It was brilliantly simple in theory, and even better in execution. Everything came together perfectly, from the unnamed threat of WWF stars invading the company, to Hulk Hogan unthinkably turning heel. In 2002, Vince McMahon was locked in a power struggle storyline opposite Ric Flair. The story was that McMahon felt he was losing his grip on the WWF, so he was forced to "inject a lethal dose of poison" which would surely kill his creation. That "poison" turned out to be the nWo. Initially, fans were excited by the prospect of seeing the group in the WWF, but the novelty quickly wore off. Something WWF big wigs hadn't banked on was that fans were genuinely excited to see Hulk Hogan back in the promotion. The nWo were supposed to be heels, but people greeted them like returning heroes. A later incarnation also featured Shawn Michaels, another star fans welcomed back with open arms. The nWo was quietly disbanded in July, and didn't have the same impact it did in WCW.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.