So who was the very first "this dude is clearly out of place " NWO member?
Oh boy. I have actually been rewatching Nitro all the way through and I'm currently in December of 1997. So allow me to go through everyone who's joined so far:
Hall and Nash - Arguably the reason for WCW's success, these guys were cooler than the other side of the pillow
Hogan - Hogan revitalized his career by joining up with Hall and Nash to form the group
DiBiase - He fit the mold at the time, he just wasn't necessary in the long run
The Giant - So, people argue this didn't make sense, but honestly, this felt like the first and best-written "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" moments for the nWo. Giant couldn't beat Hogan clean, so he hooked up with them. He only became a loser after he got thrown out and failed to gain any significant revenge afterwards. Completed his ascent to Bitchalla when he rejoined the nWo in 1998.
"Sting" - it was a ruse, it served it's purpose, harmless
Syxx - Syxx upped the coolness factor of the nWo and was a solid worker, so this was another solid addition.
Vincent - I mean, you need someone who can take beatings, better to use a guy who's entire career was based around that. Plus, he was head of security, a job that made sense
Nick Patrick - I get why they did this. To show how powerful the nWo was, they even had their own ref. Unfortunately, they didn't execute it well, as he kept reffing WCW matches up until December, then only appeared for a few nWo matches before turning face in April.
Bischoff - This would've worked better if he hadn't been the staunch WCW homer in the lead up. Watching the episodes between May and November, it was hard to buy him as the voice of WCW, knowing what would be coming. If they'd taken him off Nitro sooner and presented him as the EVP, you could've gradually built to this, but instead, he was on TV every week, railing against Hogan and company. There were a few subtle hints towards it, but if you weren't paying attention, it came out of nowhere.
Buff Bagwell - So... I actually think he fit in pretty well. He was an arrogant ass, just like everyone else in the group and most fans at the time wanted to boo him, so this was smart booking.
Big Bubba and Michael Wallstreet - OK, I'm using this entry to gripe about something lol Big Bubba and Michael Wallstreet were removed from the nWo due to not transferring their contracts before the Christmas 1996 deadline. Here's the problem. They both joined before Norton and Chono, who were allowed to remain in the group. And before anyone says something about the group kicking them out, they weren't kicked out. JJ Dillon claimed their contracts were null and void. Even as a kid, I thought that was dumb lol
Scott Norton - Dude made plenty of sense, he'd been in WCW for about a year and the best he'd done was Fire and Ice with Ice Train. Dude needed something and the nWo did raise his stock in Japan.
Chono - Another one that seems random, but really did make sense. He was one of New Japan's biggest stars, but wasn't being treated as such. The nWo turned his fortunes around and made him one on Japan's hottest heels.
Randy Savage - Another "if you can't beat em'..." entry. He'd been blackballed from WCW, but was offered a spot with the nWo. He'd been palling around with Sting for about a month or so, before helping Hogan beat Piper at SuperBrawl. I don't want to say he was a poor fit, because there was some logic to it. But the execution was a bit muddy, is the best way to say it.
Muta - ...yeah, I never got this one. He was brought back to WCW by Sonny Onoo to get revenge on Chono for joining the nWo, only for their "match" to run way too long for the payoff it gave, which was Muta misting Onoo and joining the nWo. This was wear it really started to feel watered down.
Konnan - Another one I don't really understand the logic of. Considering they created the lWo a year later and the idea had been tossed around for a while, I don't get why they didn't just make him the spokesperson for the luchadores? He was buddies with Hall and Nash, which is why they did it, but from a strictly onscreen perspective, it was pretty silly.
Curt Hennig - They should've have just had him debut as a member, if that was the plan all along. Instead, they dragged it out, had him team with DDP, turn on him, deny joining the Horsemen while palling around with Flair, joined the Horsemen after Arn's retirement speech, then turned on them for no real reason at War Games. Dude didn't even fit in with the group. Every time I see him show up with the group, I roll my eyes, because it was so stupid.
Rick Rude - OK, this one I'll defend. Rude was "a guy in a suit" who had tough guy credibility. I just watched the Nitro were he threatened to beat the shit out of the announcers if the lights went out a third time (part of a show long angle where nWo guys were getting attacked during their matches during a blackout) and I feared for their lives lol Bobby Heenan looked petrified of his former charge. Rude as their mouthpiece was a perfect fit.
Elizabeth - Honestly, she didn't fit at all, but this was where she came into her own as a heel. She's been interfering in Macho's matches and it's crazy to see this side out of wrestling's First Lady.
(I can add when more members join, but spoilers - they all get worse from here lol)