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How ADDICTION Ruined The nWo's WWE Run (2002)

Wrestling Historian

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My second video ever! The nWo’s return to WWE in 2002 should’ve been legendary. Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall walking back into WWE together was one of the biggest moments in wrestling history — and yet, within months, the entire run completely fell apart. Today, I'm gonna break down how addiction quietly sabotaged the nWo’s WWE comeback, focusing especially on Scott Hall’s struggles behind the scenes and how they affected storylines and long-term plans.

@coreyandrewz on IG!

20 Comments

@WWEHistorian Creator 6 months ago Pinned

I see some of you arguing with each other in the comments, so I just want to be clear about something. Austin has said many times that he didn't want to wrestle Hulk. Raw magazine and other sources confirm this. However, he also said that he did want to work with Hogan in his 2010 documentary. It is two different statements from the same person. That is why it's such a debatable topic. I am not saying that one or the other is true lol. In this video, I never say that Austin didn't want to wrestle Hulk. I just said that Austin was not a fan of wrestling Scott Hall at Mania 18. I also play a clip of Austin reflecting on the situation in his 2010 documentary. Austin was most likely just looking back on the situation in the clip I played. It doesn't change the fact that Austin has also claimed that he DIDN'T want to wrestle Hulk. This video was more focused on Scott Hall, so I intentionally didn't mention the Austin/Hogan stuff!

I'm working on a video that focuses on Stone Cold's issues with the WWF in 2002, from Mania x18 to his walkout in June 2002 <3

@ITSHIM1294 6 months ago

On Raw 3/3/02 Stone Cold showed up with the tape on the wrong knee.
He was so checked out even before walking out

@BlikerBlah 6 months ago

The nWo should have ran Wrestlemania X8.. the perfect takeover storyline after the Invasion storyline..

The WWE we could have had…

@wrestlingstatistics-i2w 6 months ago

Only Hogan could escape the humiliation ritual until 2003

@AlanMack-y3l 6 months ago

Glad you included the Steve Austin wanting to wrestle Hogan part. Lot of revisionist history in the IWC.

@connorlane7878 5 months ago

I was 8 during this storyline and remember all of this so well. The episode where Stone Cold takes Scott Hall captive is something engrained in my memory and the first episode I truly remember watching from start to end

@mydnyghtamethyst 6 months ago

A big thing to note about the Hall kidnapping segment is that Hall was on a medication that would make him physically ill around alcohol. Austin literally poured beer a over Hall. So when they where out in the ring and Austin was beating him, Hall was likely very nauseous and trying not to puke.

@EvanSJSanders 3 months ago

This has become my new favorite wrestling channel. Thank you!!

@sthbmc5963 6 months ago

I get Nash taking up for Scott, but he had a couple of sobriety incidents weeks before WMX8. Even in their 2007 shoot interview they joke about being pilled up and having the shakes when they were coming through the Canadian border.

@PowderHeight 6 months ago

So NWO debuted at NWO .. not bad Vincent 👏🏾

@Stoneyillwill 6 months ago

Great work bro, I love the grind. Keep it up

@ayushdubey7214 5 months ago

Awesome video
Just finished all of your videos
Great work man.

@VforVectory 6 months ago

Great vid mate! Keep up the great content!

@LimaKiloRomeo 6 months ago (edited)

If it were me, Austin's 01' heel turn never happens. The InVasion goes down properly, & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin defeats "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (NOT Babyface Hulk Hogan) in the main event of WMX8. Hogan turns face like he did against the Outsiderz & Mania ends w/ Hogan posing to Real American. Austin/Hogan II happens at BackLash, Austin turns heel to retain, and then holds the title until Vengeance.

@VoDkAvi 6 months ago

If HBK and Xpac joined right after Hogan left and let them be themselves that could’ve been an awesome run. HBK gets the big gold sooner, Halls having fun with his buds, perfect setup for mic segments and storylines

@TommyJinB 6 months ago

Thanks for sharing some of these details. I was only 12 during this time, but always wondered what really happened behind the scenes with the nWo during their short tenure in the WWE.

@charliecox8016 6 months ago

Here’s my take on the whole thing. I think Vince was still sore about the whole curtain call incident and now that hall and Nash were back. He had the chance to punish them for what they did and that was Vince just being petty.

@justinharrison587 6 months ago

You earned a sub after hearing you don't use AI in your videos. Enjoying the content

@dsd310580 6 months ago (edited)

Great nostalgic video. I’ve loved wrestling for over 39 years. Glad you don’t use AI.

Hogan turning babyface was the right call. The NWO could’ve survived, had the creative been good enough for them.

But let me just tell you, addiction is a disease. Often hereditary. Once addiction gets it’s claws into you, it don’t let go. It takes over your life. It becomes all you can think about. And even when you’re sober, it’s a constant struggle to stay clean. Because you still have the addiction disease. I’ve never become addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc, but I have seen it. Can’t just say you have no sympathy and it’s their own fault. And sounds like the cesspit that has always been WWE played a hand in Hall falling off the wagon. Same with Jake The Snake in 1996.