What Made The Nwo Work

 Today is the day 25 years ago, the nWo one of the greatest factions in pro wrestling was born. If you were a wrestling fan during the late 90's at some point you were a fan of the nWo, wether you admitted it or not is a different story but you were one. In my opinion the group is probably the most influential group in pro wrestling history, many will point to the horsemen. While the horsemen definitely still influence groups today, to me the nWo is still the standard bearer.

Since it's the 25th anniversary I thought I'd share a few things that made the nWo work.

5. Saved Hogan's career 

Terry Bollea is a very hated man today, but in 1996 Hulk Hogan was well loved and  the quintessential babyface. So much in fact that his act had grown stale and fans tired of him. Being the surprised third member of the nWo saved his career. He debuted a new persona, new look and it worked for him gaining a new swagger by being the leader of the nWo. 

4. Original Goal

The original goal of the nWo was to take over WCW from within and become its own brand. Eric Bischoff has admitted multiple times he got the idea from a New Japan angle ran a couple years before, and he is a genius for seeing the potential. During the nWo's heyday you just never knew what they were going to do in their continuing efforts for complete domination. It definitely had a madman intent on taking over the world vibe. It's influence could even be felt during the recent disastrous angle that was Retribution. 

3. Strength in Numbers

What turned out to to be one of they're biggest downfalls also contributed to the immense popularity. The fact that there were so many members of the group was a huge boost. It demonstrated how deep the pockets of the group were, and how many people were willing to be on the "winning team". Throw in the frequent beatdowns they would give opponets.

At it's peak the nWo had well over twenty members. Throw in nWo Japan, and later nWo Wolfpac and nWo 2000. It was clear if you wanted to make money and win championships, while having someone watch your back....the nWo is where it was at.

2. The NWO as a brand

To drive home that the nWo was it's own brand several deals were made to drive that home. Any nWo theme music including Hogan's Voodoo Chile, the Wolfpacs, and Nwo B-team had the new world order voiceover. The nWo had it's own branded race car, monster truck, and tractor trailers. In January '97 they had the NWO Souled Out pay-per-view being their own promoters, a year later all WCW ppv's were co-branded with the nWo. They were plans to have a nWo themed Monday Nitro when Thunder was still being developed. Throw in crossover star like Dennis Rodman joining the nWo and the copycat brands like bwo, lwo, and even ICP's juggalo world order the brand truly was bigger than WCW at one point.

1. Symbols Of The NWO

To me the various symbols and trademarks of the Nwo are what makes the group stand apart from other factions. The too sweet hand gesture and saying, nwo 4 life branding. The Wolfpac hand symbol. The tagging of opponets and WCW material including the big gold belt. Which I never understood why they only tagged the big gold belt and not any championship they won. The trademark following announcement commercials with the grainy black and white video. Scott Hall's surveys every Monday night Nitro to see if everyone was for WCW or nWo. The simple but silly celebrations when they would walk to the ring for their 20 minute mission statements. The little things that made the nWo stand out is why they are so iconic to this day.