Former WWE writer reveals strange plans for nWo 2020 revival
A strange reboot of the nWo was apparently almost introduced by WWE in 2020.
During an appearance on the Public Enemies Podcast, former WWE writer Chris Dunn — who worked for the company from 2016-2021 — shared that the idea of a new version of the nWo was discussed during the pandemic era. It would have consisted of Sheamus, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. The idea got so far along that WWE was going to bring in a past legend to introduce the faction. However, that legend ended up failing their COVID test.
“Do you guys remember that ThunderDome? Really tough to do TV in there, so a lot of ideas were thrown against the wall [laughs]. So, it was discussed at one point, bringing back the nWo 2020,” Dunn said.
“The pitch was Sheamus, Cesaro, Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. It was really close to happening… I forget which legendary nWo member was supposed to fly to Orlando to introduce this new nWo. But essentially they landed and they didn’t pass the COVID test.”
Dunn said there were plans for a debut but no concrete ideas after that. WWE was going to figure it out as they went. Sullivan did not last much longer with WWE. Sheamus and Nakamura are still with the promotion, while Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) departed for AEW in 2022.
WWE in the pandemic era —
Dunn said this idea came from early in the pandemic era while WWE was still presenting shows from the Performance Center. Later in 2020, WWE moved its TV production to the ThunderDome, which had multiple locations in Florida before WWE went back on the road in 2021.
This era saw off-the-wall ideas like Retribution and Raw Underground make it to television. During this time, Vince McMahon also considered adding Reginald to the main event match between Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37.
The classic version of the nWo, represented by Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.