Former WWE Writer Reveals Unusual Plans For 2020 nWo Revival

Former WWE writer Chris Dunn has revealed details about an unusual pitch for a modern-day New World Order revival that would have placed John Cena at the center of the storyline.

The idea reportedly emerged around 2020 after WWE teased nWo-inspired imagery during Cena’s Firefly Fun House match against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36. According to a wrestling feature at the time, Cena would eventually become the leader of a revived version of the legendary faction as part of a long-term storyline heading into WrestleMania 37.

The proposed angle reportedly included Cena winning the Royal Rumble before challenging for the WWE Championship. After capturing the title, he would then reveal himself as the leader of the new nWo alongside additional members. The reported pitch also included plans for other veterans and established WWE stars to join the faction over time. From there, the storyline would reportedly build toward a larger nWo versus WWE showdown at Survivor Series later in the year (via f4wonline).

Dunn recalled, “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. He continued, “The pitch was Sheamus, Cesaro, Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. It was really close to happening… I forgot 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.”

While the concept never moved forward, it reflected how heavily WWE was leaning into nostalgia around the group during that period. The nWo had already been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020, bringing renewed attention to one of wrestling’s most influential factions.

WWE also incorporated the group’s music, visuals, and themes into Cena’s Firefly Fun House storyline, which fueled speculation among fans about whether a larger revival was being considered internally.

The original nWo, led by figures including Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall, played a major role in wrestling’s boom in popularity during the late 1990s.

Former WWE writer Chris Dunn revealed that WWE creative pitched a new version of the nWo in 2020 featuring Sheamus, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Lars Sullivan.

The idea ultimately never happened due to COVID-related issues.

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