If you were watching WWE Raw Monday night, your ears probably perked up when the unmistakable theme of the nWo played as Kevin Nash made his way to the ring. All over Facebook, I saw posts like “Popped HUGE for the n.W.o theme!”, “nWo 2011?“, etc. Then, the match was made; CM Punk vs. Kevin Nash at WWE Night of Champions. As we saw later on, that match was changed to CM Punk vs. Triple H at Night of Champions 2011.
I, like many of you, was wondering why a match of that caliber is being used on a PPV event that’s not one of the “big four”. Then my mind started running & I thought to myself that this may very well be a revival of one of the most infamous stables in the history of the business. WWE.com even has a piece up about a possible nWo resurgence. A good portion of wrestling fans would tell you that things like Kevin Nash, the nWo, & past ideas are a bad thing. When executed improperly, that’s true. But an nWo in 2011 may very well work. Let’s play fantasy booker.
Keep going to Survivor Series. Punk & Nash run roughshod over WWE taking out anyone in their path similar to the Outsiders. Hell, put the Tag Team Championship on them at some point leading into the PPV. At Survivor Series in MSG, you’ve got the nWo in CM Punk & Kevin Nash in a handicap match against Team WWE. The team would consist of Triple H, John Cena, & the Rock (he’s there; might as well use him).
Leading up to the event, similar to WCW, Punk and Nash allude to a third man who will be in their corner. Elimination style, Triple H goes out first. Rock takes out Nash. You’re down to CM Punk vs. John Cena & the Rock. As the Rock goes to put Punk away with the People’s Elbow, the unthinkable happens. The shocker everyone has been waiting for. Right in the middle of MSG, Cena catches the Rock mid run & delivers the Attitude Adjustment. Punk covers Rock for the 3 count. Survivor Series ends with Punk, Nash, & Cena standing tall in the ring as the nWo theme plays them out. After that, it’s full speed to the Royal Rumble & WrestleMania.
What does this accomplish for WWE?
1. T-Shirt sales out the wazoo. You’re looking at classic nWo shirts, CM Punk themed nWo shirts, & John Cena themed nWo shirts. You’re looking at A LOT of money.
2. An interesting dynamic for the nWo. Are they heel? Are they face? Is it still cool to be bad?
4. Punk is free to resume chasing the WWE Title leading up to Mania.
5. Nash becomes your mid card champion at some point. A victory over Nash for a young up & comer for one of the mid card championships is the rub someone like a Zack Ryder could use.
The nWo, especially spearheaded by CM Punk, can still serve an effective purpose in 2011/2012 WWE. Survey says if done right it’s something that can be too sweet. If executed poorly, you’re looking at nothing more than another failed Nexus or Corre. I’m probably way off the mark, but hey, it’s fun to think about.
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