The Nation of Domination became a huge part of WWE television from 1996 to 1998 utilizing real-life issues as part of the storyline. Ron Simmons played the Faarooq character, leading the group to start off after his initial WWE debut flopped. The Rock joined the Nation after it was already established to become a huge part of the faction.
Both wrestlers had noteworthy stints leading the faction in different chapters of the history. Fans have different preferences when thinking back to their favorite version of the group. Rock and Simmons each have strong arguments for being the better leader. Make your own choice after weighing both arguments for the best leader of the Nation of Domination.
10 Simmons: Was A Threat to The Undertaker's Title Reign
The Undertaker winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 13 saw him needing new challengers. Faarooq was at his peak around mid-1997 when he became a title contender from the heel side to challenge Undertaker.
WWE moved forward with the program at the King of the Ring event. Faarooq looked like a strong challenger to make fans think he had a slight chance to end Undertaker’s title reign earlier than expected. Undertaker would retain in a back and forth match.
9 Rock: More Charismatic
The biggest advantage for The Rock over Ron Simmons and just about any other wrestler in the industry was his charisma. Rock was struggling to show that level of talent during his introduction as a generic face before turning heel to join the Nation of Domination.
WWE giving Rock the freedom to go further with his promos and it gave him confidence. Rock’s charismatic promos gave the Nation an edge no one else could have provided outside of him in the company.
8 Simmons: Kicked Out Weak Links & Added New Stars
Ron Simmons had a great run making the decisions that led the Nation of Domination to success. The Nation under Faarooq saw him making big moves when the faction was starting to struggle by kicking out Savio Vega and Clarence Mason.
The additions of Kama Mustafa and Mark Henry would enhance the group during Simmons’ time leading the group. Strong leadership was the one constant before and after these changes that happened long before The Rock joined.
7 Rock: Intercontinental Championship Win
The Rock had a great Intercontinental Championship reign during his time leading the Nation of Domination. Ron Simmons never won a title during his time leading the faction and actually won more gold teaming with Bradshaw in the APA.
Rock’s first feud with Steve Austin ended with him winning the Intercontinental Championship before moving into programs with Triple H and Ken Shamrock. The title run helped Rock get established as a rising star before getting to the next level.
6 Simmons: Winning Feud Over Ahmed Johnson
Ahmed Johnson emerged as the biggest rival for Ron Simmons during his time leading the Nation of Domination. WWE was pushing Johnson as a rising face with hopes of moving him into the main event picture at some point.
The time as Faarooq saw Simmons trying to stop Johnson from ascending at the expense of the Nation. Johnson scored a few major victories, but he eventually joined the faction before getting kicked out. Simmons won at the end of the day in two major ways.
5 Rock: Kicking Out Faarooq
The Rock becoming the leader not only saw him gaining the new title, but he also showed his power. Faarooq lost his spot in the Nation of Domination when Rock gave gifts to the other members, influencing the shift.
Rock and the other members attacked Ron Simmons to provide the shift in leadership. The moment didn’t just change leadership but ensured that fans would take Rock seriously, with The Great One seizing the role that felt natural at the time.
4 Simmons: Standing Up To Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon was still playing a broadcaster with few references to his ownership of WWE around the time of the Nation of Domination. The promo segments from Ron Simmons often saw Vince asking the questions about the group.
Simmons standing up to McMahon and referencing his ownership was unlike anyone else in the company at the time. The Nation had an edge that allowed them to continue growing thanks to how Simmons represented them in promos.
3 Rock: Became A Top Star
The Rock reached a level that Ron Simmons could not during their respective times leading the Nation of Domination. Simmons had a title shot against The Undertaker, but he never returned to that top tier level nor did he have the consistency.
WWE always knew Rock had main event potential and gave him the push leading the Nation without a ceiling. Rock was on the path to join the main event scene around the time of his feud with Triple H. The run leading the Nation created a new main eventer for WWE.
2 Simmons: Made Them Get Real Heat
The start of the Nation of Domination had a different element to it with the fans providing genuine heat for the heel act. Ron Simmons did his best to push the buttons of the audience to make the faction the most hated group in pro wrestling.
The Rock added more entertainment that led to the audience enjoying the segments. Simmons knew the heel run could make them something special if he took it to the next level. The Nation was better as heels with Simmons leading the way as Faarooq.
1 Rock: Feud With Triple H & DX
The Rock taking over the leadership of the Nation of Domination saw him starting his first major rivalry with Triple H who was running D-Generation X. Both wrestlers took their respective groups in different directions after replacing their prior leaders.
Triple H was now a top face leading the fan-favorite version of DX as Rock continued playing a superb heel. The two had a show-stealing match at SummerSlam 1998 that was unlike anything that Simmons did in his rivalries while leading the Nation.