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rrigamortis · 3 days

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Their Ring , Their Rules: How The Kliq’s Influence Impacted Pro Wrestling

Professional Wrestlers are like fans in a few ways. They also have lifelong friendships with other wrestlers as well do with people from our childhood whether it be neighbors, teammates , classmates, or colleagues at work. These relationships can be either positive or negative. In the world of professional wrestling, a group of five wrestlers with different personalities came together to create one of the most influential groups. This group is known as The Kliq.

The Kliq was a group consisting of Kevin Nash ( Diesel ) , Razor Ramon ( Scott Hall ) , Shawn Michaels , Hunter Hearst Helmsley ( Paul ‘Triple H ’ Levesque), and X-PAC/Syxx/123 Kid ( Sean Waltman). The group was mainly known backstage and forming in the WWF in the 90s. The Kliq would hold a little power by helping each other advance their careers and use it to influence their rivals’ careers in a negative light. The group caused some controversy in May of 1996 after a match at a house show at Madison Square Garden. This would be known as the ‘ Curtain Call ’. They would break kayfabe by embracing after the match and embracing each other before Scott Hall and Kevin Nash would leave for WCW. They would also be known for starting the most popular factions in wrestling , D-Generation X (DX), and the New World Order ( nWo). Sean Waltman would be among member of both factions. The group was formed in 1994 by Michaels , Waltman, Nash, and Hall. Levesque would join in 1995 after leaving WCW for WWF. Shawn Michaels would state that the name for their group came from Lex Luger due to them always hanging out backstage. They all had individual success during their careers as well.

Scott Oliver Hall ( Razor Ramon ) was born on October 20,1958. He would become a four time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one time WCW World TV Champion, two time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, seven time WCW World Tag Team Champion ( 6 with Kevin Nash and 1 with Giant/Big Show/Paul Wight). Hall would also be the winner of the 1997 WCW World War 3 Battle Royal. Hall would also have a run in TNA and win the World Tag Team Championship with Eric Young and Kevin Nash. He would be a two time WWE Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 as a solo inductee and 2020 as a part of the nWo. Hall passed away at the age of 63 on March 22, 2022. His nickname was The Bad Guy.

Kevin Scott Nash ( Diesel ) was born on July 9,1959. He is a one time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, One time Intercontinental Champion, a two time WWF Tag Team Champion with Shawn Michaels ( Two Dudes with Attitudes), a five time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, World War 3 1998 Battle Royal Winner , Spring Break Cannonball Champion 1998, nine time WCW World Tag Team Champion (6 with Scott Hall , 2 with Diamond Dallas Page , and 1 with Sting). He would also have a run in TNA and become a two time TNA Legends Champion, 2009 Feast or Fired Winner ( Tag Team Championship opportunity) and a one time TNA World Tag Team Champion with Eric Young and Scott Hall. He has also appeared in a few movies such as ‘ Magic Mike ’ and ‘ Magic Mike : XXL ’. He would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a solo inductee in 2015 and in 2020 as a member of the nWo. Nash is also the host of the podcast, ‘ Kliq This ’, which launched in 2022. He is known as Big Daddy Cool and Big Sexy. Nash also served in the US Army as a Specialist from 1981-1983.

Michael Shawn Hickenbottom ( Shawn Michaels) was born on July 22,1965. He is a three time WWF Champion, one time WWF European Champion, One time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Triple H ) , the winner of the 1995 and 1996 Royal Rumbles , three time Intercontinental Champion, one time World Heavyweight Champion, five time World Tag Team Champion ( 1 with Triple H , 1 with Stone Cold Steve Austin , 1 with John Cena , and 2 with Diesel), fourth Triple Crown Champion and the first WWE Grand Slam Champion. He is a two time WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, the first one as a solo inductee in 2011 and in 2019 as a member of DX. Michaels is now the Senior Vice President of Talent Relations and head of Creative for WWE NXT. He is known as The Heartbreak Kid , Mr.Wrestlemania, The Showstopper, and Chef Michaels ( shout out to the IWC). He is signed to a WWE Legends Contract.

Sean Michael Waltman ( The Kid/123 Kid/Syxx/X-PAC) The was born on July 13,1972. He is a two time WWF European Champion, four time WWF Tag Team Champion ( 2 with Kane , 1 with Bob Holly/Hardcore Holly , and 1 with Marty Janetty ) , the winner of the 1995 WWF World Tag Team Championship Tournament ( with Bob Holly/Hardcore Holly as his partner), a one time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, a two time and final WWF Light Heavyweight Champion. Waltman would join Hall and Nash in TNA and become a one time X-Division Champion, the winner of the 2005 Chris Candido with Alex Shelley as his tag team partner. Waltman would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of DX and in 2020 as a member of the nWo. In 2016, he would start a podcast called ‘X-PAC 1,2,360’. He is also a martial artist and is currently signed to a WWE Legends contract.

Paul Michael Levesque ( Triple H ) was born July 27,1969. He is a nine time WWE Champion, a five time World Heavyweight Champion, two time WWF European Champion, one time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Shawn Michaels) , five time Intercontinental Champion , 1997 King of The Ring , seventh Triple Crown Champion, winner of the 2002 and 2016 Royal Rumbles , winner of the 2006 Road To WrestleMania Tournament Winner , second Grand Slam Champion , two time WWF World Tag Team Champion ( 1 with Shawn Michaels and 1 with Stone Cold Steve Austin ) . Triple H would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of DX. He is now the head of Creative and Chief Content Officer of WWE.

My Final Thoughts:

The Kliq is the , if not , one of the most influential factions in pro wrestling history. They changed the game. All of these wrestlers are legends in their own way. I also adore their friendship as well. I’ll be meeting Kevin Nash at WRESTLECADE this year and I’m hoping to meet X-PAC there too!

Love You All,

- Kay

@rrigamortis @84reedsy @kliqrulez @outsiderswolfpac