The New World Order was a predominantly male faction, but the group’s attitude and rebellious swagger have often led fans to speculate which female wrestlers, past or present, would have been a perfect fit. On a recent appearance on The Wrestling Classic (TWC) podcast, nWo founding member Kevin Nash was asked this very question and gave an answer that evolved as he considered the current landscape of women’s wrestling.
The discussion was prompted by the host pointing out that Mercedes Moné (formerly Sasha Banks in WWE) had worn nWo-inspired gear at a recent AEW pay-per-view. This led to the question of which woman from today’s era would have fit seamlessly into the original, rebellious incarnation of the group in the 1990s.
Nash immediately recalled his high praise for Moné from years ago, specifically referencing her star-making match against Bayley in NXT. “I remember when she was, when her and Bayley had that match in Brooklyn, and I said that then that she was [the one],” Nash stated, confirming that Moné was his original choice for a hypothetical female nWo member. Her charisma, in-ring talent, and “cool” factor made her a standout candidate in his mind at the time.
However, after considering the current roster of female talent, Nash admitted that his opinion has changed. He named a dominant force in today’s WWE as the star who he now believes would be the ideal addition to the black and white. “But now I might, I might have to go Rhea,” Nash said, referring to “The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley. When the host confirmed his new choice, Nash agreed that Ripley “might be a better fit for the nWo.”
Ripley’s blend of power, punk-rock aesthetic, and undeniable main-event presence aligns perfectly with the nWo’s ethos of dominance and intimidation. Her role in The Judgment Day faction has often drawn comparisons to the nWo’s rebellious nature, as she has consistently been presented as a formidable and cool antagonist who is not afraid to mix it up with male or female competitors.
The original nWo in WCW included several female valets and members over its multi-year run, most notably Miss Elizabeth, Torrie Wilson, and others, but none were presented as in-ring equals to their male counterparts. Nash’s choice of an active, dominant competitor like Rhea Ripley suggests that if the group were formed today, a female member would likely play a much more physical and integral role.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Wrestling Classic with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
