Jon Main sent out a real statement of intent with a 32-minute hat-trick to put the Dons in Blue Square South dreamland.
It was the start in their new surroundings that even the most optimistic of supporters couldn't have conjured up in their sleep the night before.
Wimbledon, away against one of the division's big-budgeted big hitters, put on a masterclass in front of what must have been over 1,000 of their traveling supporters to open their account in the most emphatic of ways.
It was the south-west London club's seventh straight first-day success.
Main's three goals, and a tidy finish from Tony Finn, left the fans from the capital rubbing their eyes. It was the strikers' ninth goal inside the last three weeks.
And manager Terry Brown was also in a state of shock at the manner in which his side scampered to a victory that ranks as perhaps the best since the club's 2002 rebirth.
“I can hardly believe it myself,” Brown said, “So I'm not too sure what our supporters would have made of it!
“I mean, what can you say? It was terrific and I'm delighted. Newport are no mugs but we've given a great account of ourselves today and put down our marker.
“But it's my job to keep the boys' feet on the ground. We've got a big game on Tuesday (vs. Thurrock) and then on Saturday against Bognor. I think the pundits are tipping these two sides to struggle - do I need to remind anyone of how we did against the lesser sides last year?"
Wimbledon took their time to acclimatise to their new surroundings and played catch up for the first 20 minutes as Newport exerted their authority early on.
Then they took control - and didn't look back.
First Tom Davis from distance warmed up the away fans and minutes later that golden first chance arrived. Kennedy Adjei totally miss-hit his shot and the ball seemed to hang in the air for an age.
Sam Hatton gambled and got in behind the County backline but his toe-poke was brilliantly turned away by Glyn Thompson.
Newport got their act together quickly and Jemal Easter, their recent signing, twice kept Andy Little on his toes. That was to prove the kick Wimbledon needed.
Main headed home Michael Haswell's inswinging cross brilliantly - and County should have been buried by the break. Alan Inns' powerful header from Elliott Godfrey's corner would have beaten most goalkeepers. Ben Judge, Inns' fine partner in the heart of the defence, was an inch away from a 2-0 half-time lead.
That proved to only be a stay of execution for the hosts as they were sunk after the interval.
Main lashed home into the top corner with finesse after Adjei's neat pass and after 71 minutes he sealed the match ball. County were caught wanting again and Main slipped through unnoticed to slot home.
The often enigmatic Finn nailed woeful Newport's coffin soon after, latching onto Godfrey's well-weighted ball and finding the bottom corner.
Dave Collins' well-struck consolation hardly raised a cheer from a shell-shocked home support.
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