Kevin Nash Reveals Why Scott Norton Never Reached His Potential in WCW
In a candid communique on his podcast Kliq This, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash unfolded about the struggles of Scott Norton, a wrestling powerhouse who never honestly observed his footing in WCW in spite of being a primary megastar in Japan. While Norton’s dominance in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) earned him reigns as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, his transition to WCW in the 1990s did no longer result in comparable fulfillment, a topic Nash explored in-depth for the duration of his podcast.
Norton’s journey inside the ring noticed him emerge as a formidable pressure in Japan, known for his outstanding body and brutal in-ring fashion. His commanding presence in NJPW, paired along with his powerful wrestling method, must have made him a pinnacle contender in WCW. Yet, for motives that still puzzle many lovers and professionals, Norton changed into not located as a top talent in WCW.
“Scott Norton become a stud. He changed into a top man in Japan through that length,” Nash stated, relating to Norton’s reputation as a dominant force in NJPW. He went directly to express his confusion over why this success didn’t translate when Norton made his way to the US. Despite his raw capability, Norton never captured the same sort of attention in WCW, even after joining the nWo faction alongside Nash.
One of the important thing reasons for Norton’s underachievement in WCW, in keeping with Nash, changed into the extraordinarily competitive environment of large men within the promoting at some point of the Nineties. WCW had a roster packed with different larger-than-lifestyles athletes, and in spite of his length and talent, Norton changed into regularly overshadowed. Nash stated that Norton had a skillset that must have stood out in any employer, however the crowded expertise pool labored towards him.
“There were so many big athletic guys at the time,” Nash explained, noting the strong competition for the spotlight. But he did take the time to praise Norton’s talent, particularly his work in NJPW alongside legendary figures like Bam Bam Bigelow and Vader. In particular, Nash fondly remembered their tag-team matches with the Steiner Brothers, which he described as “some classic New Japan matches.”
Norton’s tenure in WCW began in 1995, after a short stint in WWE in 1994. Despite now not accomplishing the same heights as his friends in WCW, he earned a place in the iconic nWo storyline, which introduced him a few reputation. However, he remained greater of a heritage parent in WCW in comparison to others, a truth that Nash believes became a overlooked opportunity for a celebrity who had the capability to be a main participant.
Beyond discussing Norton’s profession, Nash additionally delved into the idea of a capability go back to WWE, commenting on what it would take for him to re-enter the wrestling international. Nash stated that the simplest scenario that would bring him lower back could be if Triple H in my view reached out with a particular angle in thoughts. However, Nash made it clear that he might simplest be open to a non-physical position, absolutely ruling out any opportunity of returning to lively in-ring competition.
“I’m now not doing some thing bodily, I’m too antique for that,” Nash remarked. For Nash, a go back to WWE would be simply for an on-screen position, as he maintains to recognition on his career out of doors of wrestling.
While Scott Norton’s career in the U.S. May have lacked the fireworks visible in his NJPW days, Kevin Nash’s reflections bring mild to the untapped capability of a man who left an plain mark within the wrestling global. In a time when larger-than-existence characters have been the norm, Norton was simply a presence, but instances, competition, and perhaps timing in the end shaped his legacy differently than his fans was hoping.
H/t to ITRWrestling.com