In a candid discussion on his "83 Weeks" podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff delved into the reasons behind the New World Order's (nWo) lackluster performance during their 2002 revival in WWE. Despite the nWo's monumental success in WCW, their WWE stint was short-lived and largely ineffective.
Strategic Missteps
Bischoff identified a fundamental flaw in the execution of the nWo storyline in WWE. He likened it to the ill-fated John Cena heel turn, suggesting that both instances suffered from poor strategic planning. According to Bischoff, the nWo's return was "dead on arrival" because it wasn't set up properly, leading to a storyline that failed to resonate with the audience.
WWE's Approach to the nWo
The nWo's introduction in WWE was marked by a lack of the rebellious edge that made them iconic in WCW. Instead of being portrayed as a disruptive force, they were positioned as part of the established WWE structure, which diluted their impact. Bischoff emphasized that the nWo's success in WCW was due to their role as outsiders challenging the status quo, a dynamic that was lost in WWE's execution.
Legacy of the nWo
Despite their underwhelming run in WWE, the nWo's legacy remains significant in wrestling history. Their initial success in WCW changed the landscape of professional wrestling, introducing a new era of storytelling and character development. However, as Bischoff noted, the failure of their WWE revival serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of strategic planning and understanding the essence of a storyline.
