Add as a preferred source on Google WWE nearly brought the nWo back during the most chaotic stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with a very unusual lineup.
During an appearance on the Public Enemies Podcast, former WWE writer Chris Dunn, who worked for the company from 2016 to 2021, revealed that WWE creative discussed a new version of the group in 2020 featuring Sheamus, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. Recent English-language coverage has framed it as a scrapped nWo reboot from the ThunderDome era.
According to Dunn, the plan was “really close” to happening. The idea was for an nWo legend to travel to Orlando and officially introduce the stable, but that person did not pass the COVID-19 test after arriving.
“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.”
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At the time, WWE was still dealing with the limitations of the Performance Center before moving RAW, SmackDown, and its pay-per-views to the Amway Center in Orlando, where the ThunderDome launched with virtual fans and a much larger production setup.