Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan set the industry on fire when they helped launch the New World Order faction world championship wrestling and ignited the “Monday Night Wars” with WWE.
nash and hall jump from wweIn 1996, WCW was then known as the World Wrestling Federation, and Hogan’s association with them was a pivotal moment in the industry. Led by Eric Bischoff, the NWO helped propel WCW over WWE in the ratings and helped spark its rival’s “Attitude Era”.
The story of the NWO returns in the Season 3 premiere of “Biography: WWE Legends” on A&E Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
The episode details how Bischoff was able to convince viewers at the time that WCW was being invaded by a rival company and the industry’s top stars flocked to WCW. The angle was hugely popular, and nearly everyone who was in WCW at the time joined the NWO—except for a handful of stars, including Sting, who developed his own character to feud with the group.
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WWE Hall of Fame inductees Scott Hall, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman greet fans during WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., April 10, 2021. (Joe Camporeal / USA TODAY Sports)
Shawn Waltman, who was known as X-Pac and Sixx during the prime of his wrestling career, told Fox News Digital that he was supposed to appear with Nash and Hall, but could not due to a contractual issue. When he eventually arrived in WCW, he was known as Syxx as he was the sixth member of the faction and was originally known as the 1-2-3 Kid. Those numbers add up to six.
He said he had a bit of notoriety from his time as a 1-2-3 kid, but when he joined the NWO, it was on the next level.
“I became a part of the NWO stuff and, like walking through airports and just in public… man, it was like night and day. You would be recognized everywhere, and you could just say that It was such a huge scale,” he said. “It completely changed the industry. It revolutionized it. I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”
As the popularity of the stable grew, so did the fervor of fans who were hardcore supporters of the WCW wrestlers. ric flair, Arn Anderson and Goldberg were among the top men who did not join the NWO. Even though Sting had some prestigious feuds with the core members of the NWO, he later joined the branch.
Ric Flair in action during Ric Flair’s last match at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on July 31, 2022 in Nashville. (Jason Kempin / Getty Images)
But the heat on the NWO members was real, and it turned some shows into chaos.
“Back then – and it all started when Hulk joined the NWO – people started throwing stuff in the ring – bottles, cups, soda. Throwing everybody in the ring. It started getting everywhere we That started happening,” Waltman told Fox News Digital. ,
“And that was mad because we were in Sturgis (South Dakota) at the Biker Rally. We did pay-per-views there for a while. I got hit in the back of the head by a big ol’ jug of Gatorade that came flying through the air, and it knocked me off my feet.
“It reminds you of football matches in Europe when fans start fighting each other. Not necessarily hooligans, but fans of different teams going at each other. It’s never happened before in wrestling, and It was a real tribal thing with NWO fans and WCW fans. It was a riot. I think it was Canton, Ohio.
The story of the NWO was so big and popular that it even surpassed other sports.
Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman looks at a referee after being called for an illegal defense during the first quarter at the United Center in Chicago. (Chris Wilkins/AFP via Getty Images)
Dennis Rodman was a wrestling outsider who participated in WCW storylines – even taking time off from wrestling Chicago Bulls As they were expected to capture a title during the 1996–97 season.
“I don’t necessarily have a favorite moment that ranks up there with what we did. Just like, Hulk and Randy Savage walking into Chicago in a limo with Scott and Dennis Rodman at the United Center. Right when The Bulls were in. Championships, stuff like that,” Waltman said when asked if he had a favorite NWO moment. “Moments like that were really cool. To be there with Ric Flair, to deal with Ric Flair – it’s a dream come true.”
Rodman made his nWo debut on March 10, 1997, on “Monday Nitro” alongside Hogan. He also appeared in Uncensored later that month. Their first match came in July 1997 at Bash at the Beach. During the Bulls’ 1998 playoff run, rodman skips practice to appear with Hogan on Nitro.
WWE Hall of Fame inductee Sean Waltman greets fans during WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Joe Camporeal / USA TODAY Sports)
“He was a good friend,” Waltman said of Rodman. “He was socially awkward, shy. Not that he was really talkative. He was great. It was great to have him there. The guy was so into it. He skipped practice during playoff games to show up on Nitro But.”
As fans tune in over the weekend after watching Elimination Chamber on Saturday, Waltman hopes they enjoy the episode.
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“I really want them to enjoy it,” Waltman said, “to help them remember the NWO fondly and bring good memories back to the surface. Now that’s what it’s all about.”