The Nation of Domination is a former professional wrestling stable in the World Wrestling Federation.
| Nation of Domination | |
|---|---|
| Stable | |
| Members | Farooq The Rock Crush Savio Vega D'Lo Brown JC Ice Wolfie D Kama Mustafa Ahmed Johnson Mark Henry Owen Hart Clarence Mason |
| Name(s) | The Nation of Domination The Nation N.O.D |
| Debut | 1996 |
| Disbanded | 1998 |
History
The original Nation of Domination was formed in 1996 in the USWA. The group was led by PG-13. The group also consisted of Kareem Olajuwon, Sir Mohammad, Akeem Mohammad, Elijah, Shaquille Ali, Randy X, and Queen Moisha. This group never really got off the ground in the USWA but they saw greater success in the WWF.
The heel group was originally formed in the WWF when wrestler Faarooq was joined by manager Clarence Mason. The group was based loosely on the Nation of Islam. The two men were also accompanied by two unnamed actors, Albert Armstrong and William Beach, who were supposed to represent other members of the Nation. Other wrestlers joined the Nation over time, including (in order) PG-13 (a tag team consisting of JC Ice and Wolfie D.), Crush, Savio Vega, and D'Lo Brown. This lineup of the group remained intact until Faarooq became angry with them and fired the entire group with the exception of Brown after Faarooq's loss to The Undertaker at King of the Ring 1997, where Faarooq lost the match (in part) to the distraction caused when Vega and Crush were arguing at ringside.
Faarooq promised that he would deliver a "bigger and blacker" version of the Nation, which led to the induction of Kama Mustafa and Ahmed Johnson into the group. Johnson would be forced out of the group due to injury and replaced by Rocky Maivia (later known as The Rock). Meanwhile, former Nation members Vega and Crush formed their own rival factions, Los Boricuas (made up entirely of Hispanic and Latino wrestlers) and the Disciples of Apocalypse (made up entirely of Anglo-Saxon biker wrestlers) respectively. This led to a WWF style "gang war" that was heavily criticized for separating each faction by race, eventually turning the "gang war" into an angle based on racism.
In the following months, the Nation feuded with Los Boricuas and the Disciples of Apocalypse with Ahmed Johnson eventually starting feuds with the Nation as well. Toward the end of the year, "The World's Strongest Man", Mark Henry, joined the group.
In the beginning of 1998, The Rock went on to usurp leadership of the Nation from Faarooq, at which point the group dropped "of Domination" from its name permanently. The group engaged in a memorable rivalry with D-Generation X. At this time, Owen Hart, who had a rivalry with D-Generation X leader, Triple H, would join the Nation.
Fall of The Nation
Toward the end of the year, the group showed signs of dissension as The Rock's mannerisms and swagger began to catch on with fans. The WWF could no longer ignore the cheers and adoration of the live crowds, so The Rock once again turned face. Owen Hart left the group when he believed there wasn't enough room for The Rock's ego and himself. The Rock would later be assaulted by D'Lo Brown and Mark Henry in October of 1998 which would ultimately be the end of the Nation.
Shortly after, The Rock decided to run solo, riding his immense rise in popularity. He would be added to Vince McMahon's Corporation stable and would subsequently enjoy several years of success.
Owen Hart would go on to form a successful tag team with Jeff Jarrett, and later revive his Blue Blazer character before his untimely death in May 1999.
D'Lo Brown and Mark Henry would remain a tag team following the dissolution of The Nation, enjoying moderate success that majority as individual faces faces. After D'Lo attempted to help Mark Henry lose weight, Henry turned on D'Lo in the summer of 1999, ending the final remnants of the Nation of Domination. D'Lo would eventually hold both the Intercontinental and European titles at the height of his popularity. Mark Henry would form his "Sexual Chocolate" character and be involved in some angles of questionable quality until the development of his monstrous "Silverback" gimmick. As of now him and Farooq (Now known as Ron Simmons) are the two only former members who are still in the WWE. The Rock however would make a few appearances once in a while.
Members
WWF 1st Incarnation
WWF 2nd Incarnation
USWA
D-Generation X parody
D-Generation X, along with comedian Jason Sensation, parodied The Nation on the July 6, 1998 episode of RAW, with each member of D-X dressing as a Nation member and impersonating their characteristic mannerisms.
| Nation member: | D-X member: | Parody character: | Distinguishing features and mannerisms: |
| The Rock | Triple H | The Crock | Self-deprecating catchphrases, exaggerated version of "The People's Eyebrow". |
| D'Lo Brown | Road Dogg | B'Lo Brown | Chest protector, head-shaking, yelling and climbing the turnbuckles, use of the word "brother." |
| Mark Henry | X-Pac | Mizark Henry | Pecs which went "all the way around to the back", voracious appetite. |
| The Godfather | Billy Gunn | The Gunnfather | Use of the word "Westside." |
| Owen Hart | Jason Sensation | Owen Hart | Large prosthetic nose, nasal voice, costume made out of caution tape, use of the word "damn." |
Championships