Report/Rumor: Nation Of Domination 2.0?

[Jack-Hammer]

According to a report at F4WOnline.com, there's been talk of WWE possibly creating another faction with a storyline similar to that of the Nation of Domination. The storyline isn't confirmed or anything, it's simply an idea that's been talked about. The discussion came about as a result of Rusev gaining so many relatively easy victories over wrestlers like Kofi Kingston, R-Truth and Xavier Woods and now seems to be embroiled in a feud with Big E.

I'm not sure if something like this would be readily accepted by a lot of people these days. Society is so obsessed with political correctness and loads of people had kittens over the Zeb Coulter & Jack Swagger Real Americans character early last year, so you know that someone would raise some sort of stink over the formation of what would be construed as a "black power group."

 

[OYDK]

I would love to see a new group similar to the original Nation of Domination especially because there are so many young wrestlers who can benefit from working off of a faction. Also, there are a few guys who are not doing much right now like Big E, Titus, Truth, Woods, and Henry (who would fit perfectly as the leader since he was in the original). The original Nation was a huge stepping stone for people like The Godfather, D Lo Brown, Henry, and The Rock, and who's to say another faction of the same concept wouldn't bring out the same potential in Big E and Titus?

As for some fans throwing a hissyfit... I don't think the WWE cares much anymore seeing as they are starting to become a little bit edgier with their storylines and gimmicks than they have been in recent years (Putin on the tron, Real Americans, vicious beatdowns, etc.) If wrestling fans really have a problem with this concept than they should probably stop watching honestly.

 

[SoulTrain4]

Nothing wrong can come from giving guys who aren't doing anything some direction.

The only issue here is that it would probably turn everyone involved heel and if they supposed to be feuding with Rusev then they need to be faces.

I don't mind the rehash of the gimmick either, Woods is apparently a smart guy and if allowed to be serious can be a mouthpiece similar to Clarence Mason back in the day.

 

[Un-Bo-Lievable Jeff]

Its a tough situation. Given that the four mentioned are not high on the list of talent. You really need one main character as a leader (The Sheild aside) as top billing. A faction of four midcarders does not really pose a huge threat.

And if they are going to fued with Rusez, who the WWE seem to be pushing. He is going to need some back up, because 4 on 1 should always win. He needs someone to help even the odds. Not sure who that someone would be.

Without a top name to lead the group, I think they would struggle and be more 3MB than NoD

 

[OYDK]

Its a tough situation. Given that the four mentioned are not high on the list of talent. You really need one main character as a leader (The Sheild aside) as top billing. A faction of four midcarders does not really pose a huge threat.

And if they are going to fued with Rusez, who the WWE seem to be pushing. He is going to need some back up, because 4 on 1 should always win. He needs someone to help even the odds. Not sure who that someone would be.

Without a top name to lead the group, I think they would struggle and be more 3MB than NoD

These are interesting points and can definitely be debated. I think a faction of Mark Henry (leader, main event), Big E (mid-card), Truth and Woods (tag-team), and Titus (bluechip prospect) would definitely be able to pose a threat to most of the roster and open a lot of eyes if booked right. If WWE wants to go big they can also add Kofi, however I would rather see him join with a face Rusev with the reason, the new faction is giving African Americans a bad name. The only tough part would be booking Rusev as the face and this new group as the heels.

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

For once, TNA actually beat the WWE to something. Not that this would prevent the WWE from doing a "black faction", but it's interesting that this news comes out less than a week after the "MVP, King, Lashley" group formed on Impact. Although the point could be made that TNA's group is a "rip-off" of Evolution, just with black guys.

 

[SoulTrain4]

Considering Xavier Woods posted a picture of the NOD and alluded to forming the faction earlier last week, it's not like the dirtsheets got a scoop, but that doesn't mean anything will come of it either.

I think a solid 3-4 man group is cool. No need to have every black guy on the roster in the stable either
Mark
Titus
Big E
Xavier (as the manager and strategist of the group)

That's a cool squad. Titus can be the Kama Mustafa of the group (the foot soldier) and Big E can be the powerhouse similar to Mark Henry in the original, that leaves Mark as the Ron Simmons, the trusted veteran helping to elevate younger guys through association.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Henry and Big E have worn similar colours to the Nation for years and it's not really a coincidence. The US has moved on a lot from the "Black Panther" stuff that was so edgy in the 90's, I'm not even sure there would be that much controversy now in doing the salute. I am sure if anything it would be an opportune time to capitalise on the Sterling case and the Dani Alves case in Football... The NOD can come back and this time be a more face unit, more positve if still edgy group.

Heres the one thing that MUST happen though, Ron Simmons has to be there... I get that Mark is now the "Elder" but Ron needs to be the guy who brings these together again and "shows the way" and PLEASE no Mr. T. involvment, it would be awful... Ron comes back and guides all 3 guys, perhaps if Rusev takes out Duggan he has motive... he mobilizes Henry and Big E and Kofi... Woods can be in there though I think Titus would be the Ahmed Johnson and stand apart, perhaps even get involved with Lana and Rusev as a partner... only to eventually join the group.

Ron plays more the Clarence Mason role this time and of course he has to let "Damn" go for a while...but but without him it's NOT the Nation.

 

[LBGetBack]

Hi guys! Remember when I made a thread noting that Rusev is beating all the black guys? And then I was attacked and told it was a "reach", the "dumbest most ignorant fuckin thread ever", "idiotic", and then a moderator actually moved it to the trash forum?

Here it is:
http://forums.wrestlezone.com/showthread.php?t=276587

JoeyJoeJoe, Pedigree1, James, and whatever mod moved my thread to trash......get an apology in my inbox by the end of Raw tonight and I'll let it slide. Just remember not to ever come at me like that again, because I'll keep coming back and clowning the shit out of you when you're proven to be wrong.

 

[Wolf Pac]

If anyone should play the Clarence Mason role, it should be Teddy Long. I can't think of a better spokesperson for the group than him. And he hasn't been on TV for nearly a year now, so he has just as much reason to complain about the man holding him down.

But I hope this is just a rumor and nothing more. I think it's a terrible idea, I don't see anyone benefiting from this and it will likely be forgotten about in a months time.

 

[samus500]

You beat me to it Macho. I was also going to suggest that Teddy Long should be the mouthpiece for a NoD 2.0 group. If I would put together a stable, I would do something like this:

Mark Henry- Main Eventer
Big E- Enforcer
Woods/Truth- Tag Team
Teddy Long- Spokesperson
Darren Young/Titus- Undercard
Sasha Banks- Divas division

I would keep Kofi out of the group at first just because I think if he is part of it at first then he could easily be put into the background which is not a good thing. I would have Kofi join sometime after their stable is more established in order to tweak his character a little, which is desperately needed. Maybe have him turn on Booker T (who could also be feuding with the group) and since Booker is a face and that he is an established star, it would make Kofi's turn more unexpected, and make him a legitimate threat at the same time.

 

[James]

I would have Big E be the new leader seeing as he's part of the future but have Mark Henry be the kinda sorta half leader. R-Truth and Teddy long could be the mouth pieces of the group. Fuck Kofi though.

 

[lil steroid meat]

I love the idea and this should be used to solidify Big E and let his personality shine just like it did for the Rock 20 some odd years ago. Big E is hilarious (peep his Instagram videos @WWEBigE) and I would love to see him improv some promos.

I've always said this would be perfect for a guy like Kofi to be apart of, let him have some personality.

They could have had the MLK: Mark, Langston and Kofi. But TNA just did it with MVP, Lashley and King. The WWE had better hope they weren't going in a neo-NOD direction with that stable.

I think this has excellent potential. Mark Henry, Big E, Kofi. Henry is the muscle. E is the talker. Kofi is the fighter. Xavier and Truth are jabronis in my opinion.

 

[L@RISANO]

If this is done some time in the near future, I do hope that Mark Henry is a Major part of it.

It could be done like this:

Mark Henry - Leader
Big E - Future Guy
Titus - Mid Card Muscle
Truth & Woods - Tag Team

Kofi Kingston could join a little later as someone suggested, so that he could get some spotlight and a tweak in character.

With the Wyatt family and ofc, the Shield over as well, a new Faction such as this would make things more interesting in the WWE surely.

 

[J.D Lethal]

I felt like the rumbling of the N.O.D v.2 has been talked about for years with the Cast heavily using Heel Kofi, David Otunga or Mark Henry...we can throw in the Gold Standard too if you like....But what ruins this idea in wrestling right now THERE ARE TO MANY DAMN STABLES...From WWE to NJPW Stables/Crews rule....This new N.o.D would have to fight for the views from Shield,Evolution,the Wyatts,3MB and that just the WWE...Not to Mention the Better N.O.D is on TNA MVP,Lashley,Kenny King,(and i think the Wolves they are still cool with MVP).

But lets say it does happen and Big E,Kofi,Xavier Woods and Truth t eam up...who will that stable elevate? Its clearly not Big E they took the title off him....Kofi maybe...were still hoping to to see Kofi with a bucket of Orange Paint/Orton 3...I don't know when you look at the Nation before all of those men became stars...this new group would be like a JV/lil brother trying to be like there cool older brother. Coming from a Black this doesn't work for me, I want more than anything another BLACK Man shootin for the top to be the face of the WWE.

Anyways i'm done with my rant the ONLY N.O.D story line i want to see is this
Ron Simmions comes out tried of seeing his fellow brothers beatin thrown to the bottom of the tier and he says it's time for a change its time for the Nation to Change...its time for A Nation of Domination. Then for weeks he picks up members who are gonna fight under that monicker.

Big E,Titus O'Neil ,Kofi, a returning A.W/David Otunga/Byron Saxton/Elijah"Hood Pope"Burke, and a Debuting Jason Jordan

That is the only N.O.D worth seeing

 

[bill ding]

if i was to choose the group it would consist of m.henry (ron simmons role) big e (rocks role) x.woods (d'lo role) r truth (godfather role) teddy long (clearence role) and finally i cant believe im the first to say JTG (in any role just give him a role) notice i said role not gimmik dont get mixed up between the 2, PEACE

 

[Harthan]

Historically, and even throughout the PG era, the WWE has really thrived by creating controversy and thinking outside the box. I think a return of the Nation could be extremely interesting in that regard. Punk became a superstar when he pointed out some of those things that are muttered about here and there, and on the Internet - things like that Vince is a bully, and that no one could get pushed over Cena through the glass ceiling. Could someone in the new Nation make that same push to superstardom by pointing out something that's hard to ignore - it's pretty damn hard for a black wrestler to get anywhere in the WWE these days. Between the Rock's two reigns, there had been 11 years, give or take, between a black man holding the WWE title. And other than the Rock, what credible threat to the WWE title has come from a black man in the last ten years or so? Lashley, who ultimately became Cena fodder? R-Truth, who suffered the same fate? Meanwhile, Kofi Kingston has been nothing more than a midcarder for ages despite working his tail off. The arguments are all there - didn't we just have a thread about how black people in the WWE don't get pushed? There's of course Mark Henry, who won the WHC, but he's an exception that proves the rule, and you could even argue that, look, a black man has to literally be the strongest man in the world before he can even win the B-title.

A new Nation could honestly drop the Pipebomb 2.0 with a focused leader, who I think would absolutely have to be Kofi Kingston. Imagine it - Kingston works a Raw match, takes the loss, but hangs around with a microphone in his hand. He calls out Vince and Hunter, the entire Authority, railing against the establishment that keeps him down. Hell, Kingston is, in kayfabe, and old friend of Punk's - he could echo the Pipebomb for a while, but then really drop the bombshell - "Vince, you're only holding me down because I'm black." Tell me that wouldn't set the wrestling world on fire.

Sure, some people would flip out over the PC angle, but the WWE clearly doesn't care, nor should they. Zeb Colter proves that, even in the PG era, the WWE will push boundaries as they've always done. Honestly, I think Kofi could be WWE Champion with this angle, and if they surround him with other black wrestlers on the roster in a New Nation, it could be one of the most exciting angles in WWE history.

 

[detroitking02]

I wouldn't do it if I were the decision maker at WWE but if they do go head with the ideal make Mark Henry the leader since he was a original member .

 

[Softcore Holly]

While possibly asking for trouble it could be a great thing for the rumored guys.

Kofi - Long overdue for a gimmick change, so why the hell not
R-Truth - He has shown he can be a good heel, would most likely the be mic leader of the group
Woods - Hasn't done much of anything since his debut, maybe this would give him a new chance to show why he's worth being on the main roster instead of NXT. (not that I would be opposed to sending him back there to get better)
Big E - Eh...I rather not have him going back as the big mute enforcer of the group that he'll most likely end up as in this group but that's sadly enough not much worse than what he's been doing lately.

Henry and Titus aren't part of the rumor, but they can easily fit in with the above group. Although that might make the faction too big, in which case I would happily take either of them over Woods.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I think it could work out pretty well. I don't see why they would have to be a heel group though. I always thought it was weird when Farooq would come out talking about how hard his life was growing up and that he wanted equality and people would boo him. But I think this could easily be one of those ambiguous groups that gets both boos and cheers.

As far as members, I'd say to include Titus O'Niel, Mark Henry, R Truth, Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi. Give Kofi a more serious demeanor and have him tweak his in ring work somewhat. Instead of his arsenal being 95% strikes, incorporate some holds and slams. Truth and Titus are already good for the group. Henry is there to have an original member of the group. Xavier is there just because he is Truths partner and the whole afro thing kind of fits. But honestly I can see them tossing him out. Big E has the look, as the old NOD was full of huge men. You had Godfather, Henry, Rock, Farooq, D-Lo with the lightest weighing in at 275lbs. He wears the colors and already throws up the fist. I think this would be an easy way to get over on the mic without having to cut full promos. I wouldn't even mind seeing Alicia Fox joining the group with her current Attitude.

I can see them trying to push themselves harder because they need to work twice as hard to get the same opportunities. This would lead them to start picking up Championships. I could see Titus getting the U.S. belt Big E getting IC, Kofi and Truth as Tag, Fox as Divas, and then have Henry feud with the champion at the time teasing the first ever black WWE champion. He is someone who has done enough in the company to earn some sort of run.

I think a neat idea, if they are to get over as faces, is to have D-Lo, Godfather and Ron Simmons in the group as well, sort of playing background rolls. Then people would pop for the group. They come out to the ring with them as managers. Godfather coming out with Truth/Woods, D-Lo with Kofi, Ron simmons with Titus, and Mark Henry with Big E. I think this would be pretty damn cool and there are a lot of parallels. Kofi and D-Lo were both high flyers with uniquie style and I can see D-Lo passing some of his move off to Kofi. Bring back the Low Down!!! Godfather, Truth, Woods, Dactyls all dancing in the ring will be somewhat reminiscent of the AE. Simmons and Titus have similar characteristics in that they are both big, both college athletes, and both talk similarly. Then of course Henry and Big E as the most powerful men. Then at some point when you want them to be heel, you have the originals vs the new NOD. Boom instant feud.

Also with that large team of wrestlers and veteran managers and with more movies coming out, they could easily get a huge pop doing some sort of segment with the newly formed NOD and The Rock. This provides some cross promotion and gives us a nostalgic segment. If they are faces then it could be some sort of funny segment, clowning around, and maybe the smarky crowd will have fun with a "Rocky Sucks" chant. If they are heel, they could come out and mbrace The Rock before jumping him.

 

[MCMG]

I quite like the idea. It would be a fantastic way to help elevate Big E. Obviously, I don't think every black guy should be in the stable but there is an obvious group.

Big E, Henry, Titus, Truth. The problem with Kofi and Woods is that they are babyfaces, in the purest form. Kofi is a popular wrestler and assumes that role well. Woods can probably fill that roll in the future. Booker T is someone the WWE underutilises. He is a guy who can speak and should be an on-TV personality.

Booker T
Henry
Big E
Titus
Truth and maybe Woods.

That seems solid enough and there is enough potential there. It could be a superb way in letting Big E show of his skills and help elevate him up the card.

 

[Rocky84]

These are interesting points and can definitely be debated. I think a faction of Mark Henry (leader, main event), Big E (mid-card), Truth and Woods (tag-team), and Titus (bluechip prospect) would definitely be able to pose a threat to most of the roster and open a lot of eyes if booked right. If WWE wants to go big they can also add Kofi, however I would rather see him join with a face Rusev with the reason, the new faction is giving African Americans a bad name. The only tough part would be booking Rusev as the face and this new group as the heels.

I totally agree. Henry has been in plenty main events, and the title picture to be a legit leader of a faction. His involvement in the original Nation makes it even better. I think all the roles you mentioned are perfect especially Titus...I think he has the most upside and could one day take over as the leader even. I'm pretty high on him and I believe he needs a push, being in a legit storyline will make his work on the mic more legit instead of being wasted on stupid stuff (although funny and entertaining).

 

[J.J.]

I'm of afraid how creative would handle a new NOD. Who truly benefited from NOD? D'Lo Brown was a successful mid card player for a while with the chest protector and holding the European and Intercontinental titles simultaneously. The Godfather probably benefited the most, Mark Henry later on ended up in OVW. I cannot honestly say The Rock benefits from this any as I feel he was already a star in the making. I compare The Rock's role in NOD to CM Punk's role in Nexus. Both factions had charted their course already, in my opinion. Apart from that memorable DX segment of then dressing up like members of NOD. I feel Kofi or Big E could benefit from getting a rub from the main eventers. And I don't mean adding them to a six man tag match with John Cena but allowing one of then join Evolution if Batista is taking time off. Then it gets back to having a stable that represents the "Past, Present, Futute".