In 1996 The New World Order was a hugely popular part of WCW Monday Night Nitro. Hollywood Hulk Hogan and The Outsiders were destroying WCW in an invasion angle.
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a smaller federation made up of the stars WWF and WCW would not touch. Led by Paul Heyman, ECW was “the land of misfits”.
Satire and shock were arguably ECWs greatest assets. If WCW had the NWO, ECW would have its version, The Blue World Order.
This three-man group comprised The Blue Meanie, Steven Richards, and Nova. Over time just like the NWO, the BWO acquired new members. They never quite achieved the status of The NWO, but were incredible entertainment-style characters on their own.
blue World Order – Were Taking Over
“There was a little bit of hesitation on Stevie [Richards]’s part because he was afraid that doing a parody of guys who had that much political power would kind of hinder us a little bit.
Raven’s like, ‘Look, I’m cool with them, don’t worry about it. Just do it, all right?’ And we’re like, ‘All right, we trust you, and then it just became a matter of who’s gonna be who.”
– Blue Meanie on the concept of the blue World order
Raven’s Nest
They started doing parodies of WCW and WWF Stars. Their comedy caught the eye of ECW original Raven.
Raven may have been very serious in the ring, but outside Scott was anything but. If you look at his past appearances as Scotty Flamingo and Johnny Polo you will understand what I mean.
Raven saw this comedy relief as a nice addition to his new group, The Ravens Nest. He recruited Steven Richards, The Blue Meanie, and an independent wrestling standout, Nova, aka Mike Bucci.
The three would come to the ring before Raven imitating Rock Bands like KISS. This would usually lead to someone like the Sandman giving them a beatdown.
Birth of BWO
According to ECW folklore, Bubba Ray Dudley liked their act so much he had an idea. How cool would it be if they did a parody of the NWO?
The Blue World Order debuted at ECW’s PPV November to Remember. Stevie Richards renamed himself “Big Stevie Cool” as a parody of Kevin Nash. The Blue Meanie called himself Da Blue Guy after Scott Hall.
Nova portrayed the part of Hollywood Hogan. The group claimed just like the NWO, they were taking over. What was meant to be a one-time gig turned into a running gag as the BWO did take over the satire in ECW.
Just like the NWO, over time, The BWO added members. There was 7-11, a parody of X-Pac or Syxx. A Sting parody called Stank was even included.
The BWO also had valets in Chastity and Lori Fullington. Just like their NWO counterparts, there was a BWO Japan that was composed of Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy, and Dick Togo.
“And Nash was super cool about it, and then later on, I’d hear from Hogan that he loved it. Like they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we never did it with any malice.”
– Blue Meanie on the reactions of nWo member’s Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan
Stevie Richards
Steven Richards became the breakout star of the group. At Barely Legal, Big Stevie Cool was a part of a three-way dance for the number 1 contenders to the ECW title.
Unfortunately, Richards suffered a neck injury shortly after the PPV. In July 1997 Taz made it clear he did not like the BWO. He made it his Tazmission to dismantle them.
Without Steven Richards, the group became an afterthought. Taz decimated Nova and the Blue Meanie.
Stevie Richards recalls meeting Kevin Nash and getting his reaction to the bWo faction. Nash’s reaction was ultimately a supportive one, but it not if you ask Richards initially.
Well, well, well, Big Stevie Cool. We meet at last,’ and my back is up against the rental car.
I’m like, ‘Hey, man, I just want to let you know I’m so sorry. Paul [Heyman] wanted us to do it.
And I never meant disrespect’. So he goes, ‘All right, we’ll see about that,’ or something like [that] to let me sweat it.”
Luckily for Richards, Nash was indeed joking. “He gets in his rental car. He calls me over and he goes, ‘Dude, I’m just messing with you.’
He goes, ‘We all think it’s fantastic.’ I could have just fell on the ground and passed out.
– Stevie Richards on Kevin Nash’s reaction to ‘Big Stevie Cool’ and the bWo.
BWO in WWE
Years later, in 2005, WWE’s ECW One Night Stand, The BWO returned. Shortly after that, the BWO confronted John Bradshaw Layfield.
JBL had a reputation for being a bully. Supposedly, he assaulted Blue Meanie backstage. During the brawl, Meanie tore stitches, which led to a match with JBL. Luckily, it was a no-DQ match.
During the match, Steven Richards busted JBL open with a steel chair. To help out, the World Heavyweight Champion Batista ran into the ring, gave JBL a spinebuster, and put the Meanie on him for the win.
At the Great American Bash, the BWO challenged the Mexicools. The Mexicools were Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, and Psychosis.
They came to the ring on lawnmowers. To mock them the BWO arrived on tricycles. Unfortunately, the Mexicools did not think the group was funny. They won the match after a moonsault and guillotine leg drop.
After that match, the BWO again disbanded. Stevie Richards returned to working with Victoria, and Nova once again showed the world the wonders of the Simon System as Simon Dean.
Taking over the Indys
In 2009, Nova and the Blue Meanie competed in One Pro Wrestling. They also appeared at Legends of the Arena, held at the old ECW Arena in Philly.
The show was a benefit for ECW legend Francine’s family member who had cancer. At the show, the BWO defeated the FBI.
The BWO also made a brief appearance at TNA. At TNA Hardcore Justice, Stevie Richards, accompanied by Nova, defeated Peter Polaco (Justin Credible).
Later on in the card, Nova and Miss Tilly attacked ECW legend Tommy Dreamer. The BWO also competed in the 2015 King of Trios tournament in Chikara. Unfortunately, they were eliminated early on.
The Blue World Order gained momentum by not being taken seriously. You might even say that the BWO inspired some of the classic NWO and DX impersonation promos.
One that immediately comes to mind is DX’s impersonation of The Nation of Domination in 1998. What was meant to be a joke turned into making a career for the Blue World Order.
While all were legitimate athletes, in the world of pro wrestling, you never know what will excite the fans. The Blue World Order is proof of that.
