Is there such a strong following of MOTW? I don't really think a lot of people (like, masses) remember that game. KOF and SamSho were much more influential and recognized. KOF stayed alive as a franchise, Garou didn't.
That's a very interesting thought.
Fact is tho, that the whole series itself is up there with KoF & SS and for many (yes, they do come in bulks) both Specials & MotW are the most memorable, popular & finest. Maybe if you never heard of a Neo-Geo, respectively never had one, then I could imagine, the other two series dominating your memories.
But still, Fatal Fury is Neo's most prominent versus fighting ambassador and Terry its most prominent embodiment, and, as it also happens, featured in
every part. The logical progression in one's train of thought being from Terry to Fatal Fury to Mark of the Wolves is quite assured. Also the fact, that MotW always gets mentioned whenever the Street Fighter 3 series is played, broadens it's recognition.
One could even go further and, in a very provocative manner, question the popularity of weapon based fighters, Capcom never did one (Plasma Sword shouldn't count here), thus question the memorability of SS & Co versus FF, i.e. MotW. One could also say, that KoF is "merely" a best of compilation, made to advertise other SNK games, thus making
them more recognizable, than its own brand and just to reiterate: Terry is more popular than Kyo and his whole Kusanagi clan.
Anyway, bottom line is, your assumption would be at least arguable.