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If there's one refrain that can be heard time and time again in the world of sports entertainment fandom, it's this: The Attitude Era was the best time in WWE ever—full period stop.
The Attitude Era is that period from the late 1990s until the early 2000s when WWE experimented with 'edgy' content. During this period, it was found that one of the most desirable audience demographics in North America was males age thirteen to thirty-six. This group was more likely to spend money on entertainment than any other demographic.
WWE decided to program their content to meet the demands of this most discerning group. Gone were the bright colors and larger than life characters of the Classic and New Generation era. They were replaced with more 'realistic' depictions of wrestlers, who often went by either their real names or shortened 'cool' variations on their previous identities. Think Hunter Hurst Helmsley being called Triple H for the first time, and Steve Austin using his real name rather than The Ringmaster gimmick he was brought into the company with.
The content got more violent, with hardcore and no disqualification matches galore. There was also a quiet elimination of a pro wrestling staple, the rule that no wrestler could strike using a closed fist. Lastly, sexually explicit content was presented, with scantily clad women taking up air time.
Many fans look back on the Attitude Era as the greatest time to be a wrestling fan. But was it really? Here are five reasons why the Attitude Era is overrated.
#1 There were only a few main event talents presented
During the Attitude Era, many of the main events involved the same handful of wrestlers time and time again. Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Undertaker were featured in the main events of Raw and pay-per-views over and over again. Mick Foley would be added in from time to time but his tenure in the main event scene never seemed to last very long.
While these men were, and in some cases are, all fine wrestlers and great entertainers, that doesn't change the fact that there was a glass ceiling in WWE during this period. This is what led many otherwise famous talents such as Ken Shamrock to leave the company because they figured they weren't going to be added to the main event mix.
#2 Technical wrestling was almost non-existent
Before, we mentioned that the WWE did away with the archaic rule that pro wrestlers were not allowed to strike with a closed fist.
This was done to make wrestling seem more 'realistic.' The emphasis on punching and kicking also led to a de-emphasis on the more technical aspects of pro wrestling. Other than finishers, there were few technical wrestling holds utilized in many of the Attitude Era matches.
As great as The Rock was as an entertainer, his move-set in the ring was rather limited. It was considered a big deal when he added the Sharpshooter to his repertoire, especially in light of how few technical moves he would perform. Likewise, talented technicians like Triple H relied more on punches and stomps than inside cradles or schoolboy roll-ups to get the win.
#3 The Attitude Era was home to some unsavory, sleazy storylines
The Attitude Era may have given us Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mr. McMahon, but it also gave us some of the most cringe-worthy moments not just in WWE history, but all of professional wrestling.
First, you had Val Venis, the wrestling p*rnstar with a not so subtle last name. He would be the victim of a near-castration by Asian street gang Kaientai, and was only saved by tabloid headline mainstay John Wayne Bobbit.
Then there was the matter of the Godfather, the wrestling pimp who would peddle flesh in an attempt to get his opponents to forfeit their matches.
Lest we forget, there was also the matter of Mark Henry losing his 'World's Strongest Man' designation in favor of "Sexual Chocolate.' As part of his storyline he would be romantically involved with an eighty year old Mae Young, impregnate her, and then watch as she gave birth to a hand.
Next time you want to brag about how great the Attitude Era was, we suggest you remember moments like the above.
#4 Women in WWE were largely relegated to eye candy
During the Attitude Era, it was not a good time to be a female wrestler. While there were talented women on the WWE roster, including but not limited to Chyna, Trish Stratus, and Ivory, they were far and away overshadowed by glorified swimsuit models and their ilk.
Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Kelly Kelly and others took up a majority of the television time allotted to female talent. But instead of wrestling, they often participated in bikini contests, lingerie contests, bra and panties matches, and other exploitative media.
The main purpose of these women was titillation, not telling compelling stories or putting on exciting matches. Thankfully, things eventually improved for women in the WWE, with the Women's Evolution.
That doesn't change how cringe-worthy many of the WWE divas moments were during the Attitude Era, however.
#5 The Austin vs. McMahon feud went on for far too long
After the Montreal Screwjob, kayfabe was broken in the WWE. Not only had Vince McMahon publicly acknowledged his ownership and leadership of the WWE, but he became a hated on-screen villain.
As the authority figure, he was naturally opposed by pro wrestling's first true anti-hero, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin wasn't in the mold of a traditional babyface wrestler. He cursed, he drank, he cheated, and he drank large quantities of adult beverages--dubbed delightfully 'Steveweisers'--in the ring and backstage.
The two men made natural enemies, and it was quite entertaining--at first. But as the Attitude Era dragged on, and Vince McMahon and Stone Cold continued their rivalry, it began to get tiresome. When McMahon won the Royal Rumble and then challenged Stone Cold for the world title, it seemed as if the gimmick had run its course and needed to end.
Of course, it did not, and eventually Stone Cold would retire from active competition, without any real resolution of the angle between himself and Mr. McMahon. Chalk this one up to too much of a good thing.
There you have it: Five reasons why the Attitude Era was overrated. Questions or comments? Please leave them after the article and as always thanks for reading!
