In late 1999, early 2000, boy bands were dominating the music landscape. N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys were selling millions of albums every month, setting records for first week sales that were unprecedented at the time. Thousands of fans would line up outside of MTV studios in New York to catch a glimpse of Justin Timberlake or Nick Carter, so it was only a matter of time until the wrestling world took note and tried to cash in on the fad. Rather than reaching out to celebrities to appear on their show, perhaps earning World Championship Wrestling some mainstream recognition, the company brought together Evan Karagias, Shannon Moore and Shane Helms in a trio known as 3 Count. They would sing and dance for the audience, sporting outfits straight out of Abercrombie and Fitch. The douchebag vibes were incredibly high but they managed to get over, much to the surprise of the company's harshest (and numerous) critics. The trio's workrate was strong, thanks in large part to Helms and Moore, who trained with the Hardy Boyz in their home state of North Carolina. With fellow trio the Jung Dragons, they would steal many a show throughout the summer, fall and winter of 2000. One of the few bright spots at a time when the company was shrouded in darkness, struggling mightily just to keep its head above water, 3 Count proved that the future very well could have been bright had the company had just a little more time to continue developing the youthful talent it had under contract. Alas, it was not meant to be and 3 Count disbanded, Helms going on to great success in WWE as The Hurricane, the Timberlake to Moore and Karagias' Joey Fatone and JC Chasez.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
