Throughout the late 1990’s, professional wrestling was at the peak of popularity. However when looked back on, was it all it was lived up to be?
The acclaimed “Attitude Era” of the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was a period in history where professional wrestling was able to become mainstream. There was no time in history where ratings were it highest then during the 90’s.
The ratings had to be this high due to the rival company, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) putting equal or even higher ratings on a week to week basis. The two companies squared off every week for 290 straight weeks in the climatic Monday Night Wars. The fate of both companies was dependant on the outcome of this war.
A change needed to be done as WWF was at an all time low at the end of 1995. WCW had just signed former WWF megastar Hulk Hogan giving really big numbers financially for WCW.
Also, other former WWF stars were signed by WCW like Lex Luger, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall which left WWF no clear direction in the company.
With the massive success of the New World Order (NWO) of Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall with multiple others, WWF needed something to counteract WCW. Which gives birth to the “Attitude Era.”
Birth to new, massive stars like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Triple H (formerly Hunter Hearst Helmsley), D-Generation X (Road Dogg, X-Pac, Billy Gunn, Chyna, Shawn Michaels, Triple H), Kane, The Undertaker, Mick Foley and multiple others.
Also, catching the attention of the viewers were outlandish and entertaining characters like Val Venis, The Godfather, the entire hardcore division and many others.
No era in professional wrestling will see ratings and finances come like they did in “The Attitude Era.” However, the some of the small pieces that were not capitalized on could have impacted the professional wrestling for the future and beyond.
Throughout this collection, dig deep into “The Attitude Era” to reflect and understand that the unpopular opinion is “The Attitude Era” is the greatest, yet worst thing to happen to the professional wrestling world in history.
In The Unpopular Opinion: Attitude Era, David Jacobus will go year by year of the Attitude Era, addressing its many peaks and valleys, all while figuring out what makes it simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen in professional wrestling.
David Jacobus
Intern