When discussing the rich history of professional wrestling, few stories carry the weight of what Eddie Guerrero and the Latino World Order represent. As a writer with Latina ancestry, I’ve watched this history get buried and resurface, forgotten and then revived – a cycle mirroring the very struggle the LWO was born to challenge. What happened in WCW during the late 1990s wasn’t just another faction storyline; it was a moment when one man decided marginalization would end, consequences be damned. This is the story of what he built, what nearly destroyed it, and why WWE and the wrestling world couldn’t keep it dead.
Eddie Guerrero didn’t plan to create the LWO (Latino World Order) in WCW. It emerged from crisis, was born in controversy, and became something far bigger than anyone anticipated – a movement WWE would eventually have to revive. Photo Credit: WWE.
Quick Tip for Facebook Readers
Many of our readers connect with our content through our Facebook page. However, Meta's built-in browser (which opens by default on mobile) occasionally freezes mid-article- a known issue unrelated to our site. To enjoy uninterrupted reading: Tap the three dots in the top right corner → Select 'Open in external browser.' This will resolve the glitch. Thanks for your support. We want your wrestling stories to stay as smooth as a top-rope hurricanrana!
Eddie Guerrero’s Latino World Order in WCW: A Movement for Representation
Eddie Guerrero assembled the Latino World Order in WCW by recruiting Mexican luchadors, including Rey Mysterio Jr., Psicosis, and La Parka, creating a unified faction of Latino wrestlers previously marginalized in WCW’s mid-card ranks. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Latino World Order (LWO) emerged on October 5, 1998, when Eddie Guerrero returned to World Championship Wrestling after a controversial interview in August ’98, in which he publicly voiced his frustrations and demanded contract release. Rather than punish him, WCW capitalized on the controversy – and created a movement.
Eddie Guerrero, a figure often hailed as a wrestling legend in both Mexico and the United States, was the essential recipe to the group’s creation. His vision was to fight against the marginalization faced by Latino wrestlers, who were often portrayed in secondary roles in the industry.
Guerrero’s leadership and charisma helped transform the LWO from a symbol of resistance into a beacon of Latino pride and representation.
WCW was riding high with the success of the nWo (New World Order) faction, which embodied rebellion and a “cool” villain persona that drew fans in.
However, behind the scenes, Latino wrestlers were often relegated to lower-card matches and underappreciated, despite their incredible athleticism and international appeal. This disparity in opportunity was glaring, especially as the luchador style, popularized in Mexico, gained popularity with American audiences.
Eddie Guerrero in the LWO: Vision and Leadership Strategy
Eddie Guerrero during his WCW tenure competed in mid-card championship matches against the likes of high-flying luchador Rey Mysterio Jr., showcasing the technical lucha libre wrestling style before his WWE heavyweight transformation. Photo Credit: WWE.
Eddie Guerrero, already a well-established name in Mexico and Japan, saw the imbalance and was driven to change the status quo.
Guerrero envisioned the LWO as a way to unify Latino wrestlers who were often overlooked in favor of larger American or Canadian stars.
Alongside notable luchadores such as Rey Mysterio, Psicosis, and La Parka, the LWO was formed as an alliance to showcase their in-ring prowess and fight for respect within WCW.
Growing up in a famous wrestling family, Guerrero was well aware of the uphill battle Latino wrestlers faced in an industry dominated by American and European stars.
His vision for the LWO stemmed from a desire to unify and elevate Latino talent, creating a faction that would showcase the rich wrestling traditions and skills that Latino performers brought to the ring.
In creating the LWO, Guerrero positioned the faction as a celebration of Latino culture, infused with pride and unity.
The green, white, and red colors of the Mexican flag emblazoned on their shirts became an immediate symbol of their collective identity, and their storylines began to push against the narrative of Latino wrestlers being underdogs or side attractions.
LWO in WCW: The Unheard Stories
Eddie Guerrero led the Latino World Order with Mexican flag colors, standing alongside luchador wrestlers in WCW’s most significant Latino-focused faction that unified marginalized mid-card talent under one storyline. Photo Credit: WWE.
The creation of the Latino World Order in WCW was born out of both real-life conflict and creative improvisation, making it one of the most organically charged stables of its era.
On August 17, Guerrero delivered a now-infamous shoot interview on live television, publicly voicing his frustrations with WCW and claiming he wanted out of his contract.
Rather than disciplining Guerrero outright, WCW decided to capitalize on the controversy. After a few weeks off TV, Guerrero returned on the October 5, 1998 episode of Monday Nitro, launching the Latino World Order alongside a wave of fellow Mexican wrestlers.
The idea for the LWO group came from Jason Hervey, an actor and friend of Bischoff who was working creatively for WCW at the time.
Originally, the LWO was intended to spotlight Konnan, but after Konnan jumped to the nWo Wolfpac, Guerrero became the new face of the faction.
In an interview with RF Video, Eddie Guerrero shared what he initially thought after hearing of the LWO concept.
“They gave it to me to shut me up more than anything! But, it really got over until my car accident."
What followed was a movement that brought together nearly every prominent Mexican wrestler on WCW’s roster. Even Guerrero’s real-life friend Art Flores joined the act as a bodyguard named Spyder, adding a layer of attitude to the faction.
The LWO’s central storyline revolved around Rey Mysterio Jr., who resisted the group’s overtures.
In response, Guerrero and company made him a target. Eventually, after losing a match to Guerrero, Mysterio was forced to join the LWO, adding tension and depth to the angle.
Meanwhile, Eddie’s own nephew, Chavo Guerrero Jr., was deliberately excluded from the group, humorously deemed "mentally unstable" within the storyline, and rejected as a member.
Speaking on that time and the brief run of the LWO in WCW, Rey Mysterio shared his perspective on the group in an interview with Remezcla.
"That was such a brief moment for me but I do remember that we had a great roster put together.” Chavo continued, “I remember what Eddie did was try to pick out the best Hispanic wrestlers and put them all in one group and try to dominate. If it was gonna be complicated to work with the top talent, at least we were gonna have fun amongst ourselves. That’s what we did every night."
LWO vs nWo: How Eddie Guerrero’s Faction Challenged WCW’s Main Event Dominance
The LWO and nWo factions in WCW never collided in major storylines despite their opposing ideologies. The nWo remained in main event booking while the LWO stayed confined to Latino-focused programming without character expansion. Photo Credit: WWE.
The nWo, led by superstars like Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall, was WCW’s biggest draw, and its dominance in storylines mirrored its dominance backstage.
By comparison, the LWO represented the marginalized voices in the locker room. This naturally led to conflict between the two factions.
The rivalry between the LWO and the nWo, for many, was a metaphor for the battle Latino wrestlers faced for equal representation.
While the nWo often overshadowed the LWO, no doubt, Eddie Guerrero and his comrades fought tooth and nail to carve out a space for themselves within WCW storylines.
The feud on-screen and off-screen symbolized the broader issue of minority wrestlers being pushed aside in favor of the main eventers, even when they possessed comparable (if not superior) in-ring skills. Though the LWO never secured the dominant position in WCW that the NWO enjoyed, the LWO concept gave them status.
The fans connected with the LWO’s struggle, understanding that it was a story of identity, respect, and belonging. This set the tone for the conflict between the two world orders, with LWO painted as the babyface underdogs who just wanted respect and visibility in the locker room.
Unfortunately, despite the fans’ admiration, the faction was never given the creative push it deserved, often overshadowed by WCW’s more prominent storylines.
Their underwhelming booking and lack of substantial victories eventually caused the group to disband, leading many to wonder what could have been had they been given a more prominent role.
With hundreds of amazing Pro Wrestling Stories to dive into, where do you start? Get the inside scoop – join our exclusive community of wrestling fans! Receive 10 hand-picked stories curated just for YOU, exclusive weekly content, and an instant welcome gift when you sign up today!
Why the LWO Disbanded in 1999: Car Accident, nWo Pressure, and Rey Mysterio’s Stand
Eddie Guerrero recruits Rey Mysterio Jr. into the Latino World Order, which led to Mysterio’s later leadership roles in both the LWO and the Filthy Animals, WCW’s successor Latino wrestling factions. Photo Credit: WWE.
Despite its cultural significance and passionate fan support, the original run of the Latino World Order came to an abrupt and unfortunate end in early 1999, cut short by backstage politics, shifting creative directions, and real-life events.
On January 1, 1999, Eddie Guerrero was involved in a serious car accident that sidelined him from in-ring action.
Just days later, WCW underwent a major storyline shift: the two splintered factions of the New World Order reunited into a single powerhouse group. Almost immediately, this spelled trouble for the LWO.
Members of the LWO began appearing backstage, unconscious and ambushed, clearly victims of nWo intimidation tactics. The dominant faction issued a clear ultimatum: disband or face destruction.
WCW authority figure Ric Flair also got involved, urging the LWO to dissolve. He appealed to their frustrations with Bischoff and tried to win them over with promises of respect, money, women, and limousines, playing on the stereotypical excesses of wrestling’s elite lifestyle.
Most members, worn down by pressure and without Guerrero to lead them, agreed and removed their iconic LWO shirts on live television.
Ironically, Mysterio had originally resisted joining the group. But in a poignant moment of loyalty and defiance, he stood his ground, refusing to take off his LWO colors.
This act of rebellion was met with brutal consequences, as the nWo beat him down and forcibly stripped the shirt from his body. The image of Mysterio being attacked for standing by the LWO became symbolic of the faction’s untimely demise and the continued struggle for respect faced by Latino wrestlers in WCW.
Konnan, the only Latino member within the nWo, was appalled by the group’s treatment of Mysterio. His protest sparked a betrayal by his own faction, pushing him into an alliance with Mysterio against The Outsiders. This marked the beginning of a new era for both men.
As Eddie Guerrero recovered and returned to the ring, he joined forces with Mysterio and Konnan to form a new group: The Filthy Animals. This stable had a different vibe – edgier, more irreverent, and aimed squarely at WCW’s changing audience – but it carried forward the spirit of the LWO: a celebration of individuality, culture, and resistance against the system.
From WCW Mid-Carder to WWE Champion: Eddie Guerrero’s Transformation After the LWO
Eddie Guerrero reached main event status in WWE, defeating Brock Lesnar and main event competitors while headlining multiple WrestleMania events – a stark contrast to his mid-card position during his WCW LWO (Latino World Order) period. Photo Credit: WWE.
Eddie Guerrero’s journey from WCW to WWE was nothing short of transformative, as he first made the jump in January of 2000.
In WWE, he became a global superstar, breaking barriers and reshaping the landscape for Latino wrestlers. Eddie Guerrero’s “Lie, Cheat, Steal” persona was a rebellion against the limitations placed on him by the system, a bold assertion of his cultural identity that resonated deeply with fans who felt similarly marginalized.
Guerrero’s ability to turn this persona into a tool of empowerment highlighted his resilience and determination to break free from the confines of typecasting. His success on the international stage was a testament to his perseverance, not only as a wrestler but as a cultural icon.
Despite the LWO’s short-lived run in WCW, the LWO remained a lasting symbol of pride, not only for the wrestlers who had been a part of it but for the fans who saw themselves reflected in the group.
Eddie Guerrero’s untimely passing in 2005 only further solidified his place as a larger-than-life figure in the Latino community, both in and outside the wrestling world.
Guerrero’s legacy and the LWO’s resurgence highlight how essential it is to celebrate Hispanic contributions to wrestling.
LWO Revival in WWE: Rey Mysterio Leads New Generation
The 2023 WWE LWO (Latino World Order) revival featured Rey Mysterio Jr. as leader alongside Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Cruz Del Toro, with Mysterio as the sole surviving member from the original 1998 WCW faction. Photo Credit: WWE.
Almost 25 years after the original group’s disbandment, one of Eddie Guerrero’s best friends, Rey Mysterio, the high-flying máscarado superstar and a protégé of Guerrero, continued to honor Eddie’s memory and the spirit of the LWO.
The revival of the LWO in the modern era of WWE, originally launched on March 31, 2023, was evidence of Guerrero’s legacy and the ongoing demand for representation in professional wrestling.
In the modern era under Triple H‘s leadership, unlike the original LWO, the revived generation was more integrated into title picture storylines, showcasing the talents of Zelina Vega and others in various championship pursuits and high-profile matches across two WrestleManias.
This included one of professional wrestling’s most compelling stable feuds against The Judgment Day throughout 2023, a stable that itself featured two Latino stars.
The LWO also made history at Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico with an all-Latino main event that included Latin superstar Bad Bunny, cementing the faction’s cultural significance. Rey Mysterio of the LWO captured the United States Championship in August 2023, holding it for 85 days before losing it to Logan Paul at Crown Jewel.
However, internal tensions emerged in early 2024 when Santos Escobar turned on the group and reformed his original faction, Legado Del Fantasma. This led to confrontations at WrestleMania 40, where Rey Mysterio and Andrade defeated Escobar and Dominik Mysterio.
Carlito, who had aligned with the LWO, was revealed as a traitor and also departed the group in April 2024. Dragon Lee joined as a replacement member and eventually captured the WWE Speed Championship in November 2024.
The LWO’s trajectory shifted dramatically in early 2025 when the group entered a feud with Chad Gable’s American Made faction, with Gable adopting the “El Grande Americano” persona that directly challenged lucha libre traditions. The storyline was set to culminate at WrestleMania 41, but Rey Mysterio suffered legitimate injuries – a torn groin and ruptured eardrum – during an April 2025 match, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Rey Fenix replaced him at WrestleMania but lost to El Grande Americano.
By mid-2025, the faction had essentially fragmented. Zelina Vega was transferred to SmackDown in January 2025, while Dragon Lee, Joaquin Wilde, and Cruz Del Toro remained on Raw with increasingly separate storylines.
The group made sporadic appearances, including at WWE’s collaboration with AAA at Worlds Collide in June 2025, but without their injured leader and with members scattered across brands, the LWO’s momentum had stalled.
Figures like Zelina Vega have broken barriers for women in wrestling, particularly women of color, pushing for greater representation within the sport. In an interview with the New York Post, Zelina Vega spoke about being part of the LWO and why she sees the group as a beacon of hope.
“I feel like with the LWO, it’s cool because you’re fighting for people who haven’t gotten opportunities, who haven’t gotten their right chance. They haven’t had the opportunities that they deserve and have been respected for the hard work that they put in. Being that beacon of hope, really.
“I feel like that for me, I’m hope for other people. It’s crazy to say that’s how people view me now. It’s something I’m very, very thankful for that they believe in me that much.”
Vega’s presence in the LWO added a new layer to the faction, as she brought her own experiences of overcoming adversity as a Latina in a predominantly male-dominated industry, proving that Eddie Guerrero’s original vision of the group remained relevant across generations.
On an episode of his 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff, one of the key drivers behind the initial LWO faction from a story perspective in WCW, shares how he considers the WWE interpretation superior.
“I love it. I mean, the Latino World Order started in WCW, and it got a little bit of attention. We spent a little bit of time on it, not pushing it as hard as we could have, obviously, but to see it kind of manifest is currently 20-odd years later in WWE.”
Bischoff continued, “I can’t help but, you know, pat myself on the back a little bit for that. But seeing the fresh coat of paint or fresh paint of coat or whatever it is is awesome. Awesome. And it makes sense. It fits. You know, it’s very, very cool.”
Latino World Order’s Cultural Impact on Professional Wrestling: From Marginalization to Representation
The Latino World Order logo, adapted from the original NWO design, represents a brand that evolved from WCW’s 1998 mid-card faction to WWE’s modern main event stage, cementing its significance in American professional wrestling. Photo Credit: WWE.
The LWO’s trajectory, from its celebrated 2023 revival through championship pursuits and historic moments, to its fragmentation in 2025, mirrors the cyclical nature of the original LWO itself. Whereas the original LWO struggled for visibility and was largely defined by its conflict in WCW, the modern version achieved integration into WWE’s main event scene across multiple premium live events.
Yet like its predecessor, the faction’s future remains unpredictable. There’s never knowing when the Latino World Order might revive once again – a fitting parallel to the movement that refused to stay buried decades ago.
Eddie Guerrero’s impact in all of this reminds us how cultural identity and passion can redefine the boundaries of sports entertainment. Guerrero was a cultural ambassador, using his platform to celebrate Latino heritage in an industry that often underrepresented and sidelined wrestlers of color.
His journey from being seen as just another mid-card talent to becoming a global icon is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-expression, and staying true to one’s roots.
Today, the group continues to inspire fans and wrestlers alike, proving that the fight for equality and representation in sports entertainment is an ongoing journey.
The legacy of the LWO in modern wrestling reflects how far the industry has come in terms of representation, while also highlighting how much further it still has to go. Eddie Guerrero’s vision, to elevate Latino voices and demand respect in an industry that had marginalized them, continues to resonate with each generation that carries the green, white, and red banner forward.
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our team of authors!
ProWrestlingStories.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn commissions at no extra cost to our readers. This supports our mission to deliver free content for you to enjoy!
"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan."— Keith Elliot Greenberg
Nataly “Nati” Feliciano, a proud Richmond, Virginia native, is a full-time student at VCU, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Media Production. A passionate wrestling fan, Nati credits her lifelong love for the sport with sparking her interest in storytelling and world-building through larger-than-life characters. As she continues her studies, she is dedicated to exploring the intersection of media and storytelling, with wrestling serving as a central inspiration in her creative journey.
Author: 
