Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Professional Wrestling's New World Order Changed America

From ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi comes a compelling, gripping narrative history of professional wrestling’s legendary faction, The NWO (New World Order), from their inception in 1996 to their influence on American pop culture today.

In 1996, professional wrestling was one of the most watched sports on cable television, with more than 5 million people tuning in every week. And in the late 1990s, pro-wrestling was the hottest thing in American pop culture, with companies making millions in action figures, video games, and simple black t-shirts emblazoned with three little letters: NWO.

The NWO, or New World Order, became a business like no other, and was responsible for the explosive ratings and rabid fanbase. It started with an ingenious storyline starring Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and the titular Hollywood Hogan—Hulk Hogan gone bad. Together, they formed a new era of characters to root for: The Bad Guys.

Never before had audiences cheered for the villains, rooting for them over the heroes. The NWO broke down wrestling’s fourth wall in a clever new way, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. And suddenly, watching professional wrestling not only became socially acceptable, but a necessity if you wanted to stay up to date with pop culture. Their impact was infectious and long-lasting. It was entertainment that shaped a generation.

Written by Marc Raimondi, a current ESPN reporter with nearly twenty years of experience in journalism, this narrative history explores professional wrestling’s most popular faction and how their existence influenced American culture like never before.

Marc Raimondi is currently an NFL reporter for ESPN. He is a longtime former combat sports reporting, specializing in mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional wrestling. He previously served as the deputy managing editor for Vox Media’s MMAFighting.com and covered multiple sports for Fox Sports and the New York Post. With a focus on MMA, boxing and pro wrestling, Marc covered major events, provided behind-the-scenes insights, and reported on the latest news in the combat sports world. He is currently ESPN’s beat reporter for the Atlanta Falcons. Say Hello to the Bad Guys is his first book.