NWO Twenty Years Later: Where Are They Now?

We all know Nash, Hall, and Hogan 'founded' the nWo. But who actually created it? That claim goes to Eric Bischoff.

'Eazy E' had a number of innovative ideas for WCW's new Nitro programme, but the nWo was by far his greatest. Suddenly wrestling shifted from antiquated cartoon characters, to a hip product a 'maturing' fanbase didn't feel ashamed to watch. Such was Bischoff's intention, and he achieved it masterfully.

Unfortunately, Eric's big downfall was his desire to be popular. By allowing the likes of Hogan and Nash full autonomy to run roughshod over the promotion's booking, the value of the nWo was gradually diminished, as the product suffered for a direction designed to serve the egos of one or two key individuals.

Bischoff's need for gratification extended to putting himself in the nWo. Outwardly, it made sense: he was the perfect mouthpiece to get the angle over. But the longer his involvement went on, the more it appeared he was trying to fulfill his own fantasies than improve the product.

Bischoff ultimately failed in his attempt to purchase the company when Jamie Kellner's decision to cancel WCW programming rendered it worthless. The promotion died, and against all expectations, Bischoff migrated to WWE a year later - in a strictly on-screen role. Seeing long-term rivals Vince McMahon and Bischoff embrace was quite the sight for anyone who followed the Monday Night Wars.

Bischoff left the company in 2007, but didn't leave the industry behind, and today is on good terms with his ex-employers. Always good value as an interview, Eric most recently collaborated with WWE to produce a DVD documenting his time in the business. He has also embarked on a number of business ventures outside of wrestling since his nWo days came to a close, not all of them proving fruitful. However, his business acumen is still in tact - he most recently stated there is 'no chance' he'd ever purchase TNA.