While the Attitude Era was a very popular and successful period of time in the WWF, it is highly exaggerated and not as great as fans make it out to be. Like any other era, the Attitude Era had many successes but also some notable failures.
The Attitude era had a diverse set of popular characters, shocking and entertaining storylines/feuds, bloody matches, but very poor often boring matches. Some gimmicks such as the Undertaker's ministry of darkness and Mick Foley's Dude Love gimmicks were just flops. The women were being misused as nothing more than eye-candy with the exception of Lita and Chyna. I was sometimes bored watching some pointless so called "entertaining" segments.
In short, there are other eras that deserve as much attention as the Attitude Era such as the Ruthless Aggression period or WWF's Golden Age of wrestling. While i don't want too much technical wrestling, i also don't wish for too much entertainment which is one of the pitfalls of the WWF's Attitude Era.
Since i was a kid, i knew Stone Cold Steve Austin was one of my all-time favorite pro-wrestlers the moment i watched him.
What makes him a legend that is so loved by millions? Because he redefined an era in the WWF/WWE. Back then, pro-wrestlers dressed professionally and athletically. Pro-wrestlers were about sportsmanship. Stone Cold broke from traditional ideals of what a pro-wrestler ought to be and led a rebellion. He dressed casual, used foul language, disrespected other pro-wrestlers, attacked his boss and anyone else if they got in his way.
Following the character of "The Ringmaster" came a Stone Cold Steve Austin is the Robin Hood of the WWF/WWE only that he is an almost indestructible anti-hero. Unlike other faces, Stone Cold doesn't portray the qualities of a charismatic face which is original. Stone Cold is a flat out anti-hero. He's arrogant, selfish, cruel, outrageous, funny, mean-spirited, tough, and so forth. He cares about no one but himself although he likes to entertain his fans. Stone Cold is his own authority and it's his pride that makes him a solid character. Overall, Stone Cold is a believable character with his strengths and weaknesses.
Stone Cold has made some of the most memorable promos in WWF/WWE history. For example, after defeating Jake the Snake Roberts in a King of the Ring match, Stone Cold Steve Austin had this to say:
"The first thing i want to be done is to get that piece of crap outta my ring! Don't just get him outta the ring, get him out of the WWF because i proved son you ain't got what it takes anymore! You sit there and you thump your Bible and you say your prayers and it didn't get you anywhere! Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16. Austin 3:16 says i just whipped your a**!"
This was the debut of the "Austin 3:16" phrase and the beginning of a new era. Stone Cold centered a solid fanbase with slogans such as "Hell yeah!" and "What?" or "that's the bottom line cuz Stone Cold said so!" He gave a mix hilarious promos, fierce ones, but sometimes he said nothing at all. His eyes and face said it all. This is what made his promos so revolutionary and his rather apathetic attitude towards what happens to his opponents. This is another example:
"Sportsmanship? What a load of crap! Don't preach your morality to me..Steve Austin doesn't have any compassion...You want mercy? Take your a** to church.."
One of the things that separates Stone Cold from many others is that he builds a strong relationship with his fans. He shouts "oh Hell Yeah!" or asks them questions such as "If you want to see Stone Cold Steve Austin unleash hell, gimme a hell yeah!" He lets fans toss beers to him. Other superstars do not know how to get fans riled up well.
Ringwise, Stone Cold has some of the most devastating moves including his finisher - the Stone Cold Stunner. As far as in-ring psychology and story-telling, Stone Cold does it like no tomorrow. He comes straight at his opponent wasting no time. He was a total expert in using the Thesz press and other moves.
He's had some of the best feuds/rivalries leading to the greatest matches with Bret Hart, the Undertaker, the Rock, Triple H, Vince McMahon, and more.
One of his best matches was with Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13. Their rivalry began when Stone Cold won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament and taunted Bret Hart. Stone Cold insulted him leading Hart to accept. The two faced each other at Survivor Series 1996 with Hart beating him. The match continued with them participating in the Royal Rumble 1997 match. He eliminated Stone Cold but it didn't count as they were distracted with Mankind and Terry Funk. Stone Cold then began challenging Bret Hart's status as a legend as he kept whining. Stone Cold kept proclaiming himself to be the best and living by his words. An angry Bret Hart after being attacked challenged Stone Cold to a submission match at Wrestlemania 13. The match could only be won through submission. It was hard to watch Bret Hart apply the Sharpshooter on Stone Cold through the ring post and how Stone Cold gave everything to win. Stone Cold was busted open and Bret Hart finally applies the sharpshooter on Stone Cold. Just when you'd think Stone Cold would submit, he fights the pain and almost breaks the hold unlike any other pro-wrestler. He passes out but never submitted. Bret Hart may have won the match due to referee decision but Stone Cold kept his pride to the end.
Another outstanding feat was during the Harts feud when Owen Hart tombstoned Austin and Stone Cold broke his neck but still won the match. Stone Cold should've been carried out on a stretcher but chose to walk out like a champion.
What i love about Stone Cold is that he's not afraid of anyone including the Undertaker. He makes no excuses for why he can't compete against the best. Both had some of the most epic clashes over the WWF title with Stone Cold winning some matches.
Throughout his career, we see his character develop. We see some of his fears but nevertheless he uses those fears as a motivation to overcome them. For these reasons, Stone Cold has popularized the WWF/WWE during the Attitude era so much that WCW went out of business. Stone Cold will be forever remembered as a pro-wrestling legend that represented what pro-wrestling is about - entertainment.
What makes a pro-wrestler a legend? Many fans use the term "legends" all too often to describe their favorite pro-wrestlers but there's not many who meet beyond the standards of a wrestling legend. Modern pro-wrestlers like Roman Reigns unfortunately don't equate to the legends of the past.
Pro-wrestling legends are unlike any another pro-wrestler in the known world of pro-wrestling. They are absolutely amazing. Pro-wrestling legends have these must-have traits:
* Passion and character - Pro-wrestling legends have unbelievable passion for the pro-wrestling business and it shows. They have highly built athletic bodies, wrestling styles, charisma, drive, the list goes on. Most of all, they have believable characters. Creating an unforgettable character begins by unleashing the deepest sides of yourself in the ring. Legends also make the promotion they work for their home. They give their best in everything that they do both in the ring and locker room.
* Solid promos - Outstanding promos consist of a beginning (a strong hook), a middle (build up to an event), and end (concluding remarks). Highly successful pro-wrestlers cut memorable promos. They don't just scream "i'm gonna win!" They all have their own emotional appeal, gimmicks, characters, catch phrases, and so forth. Take Raven for example, he almost always shares a deep philosophical insight on life during his promos. He starts by stating an interesting thought then sometimes goes into comparing his opponent to himself before listing the qualities that make him superior. Promos are delivered effectively with intensity and assertiveness. They're never rushed, but perfectly put together.
* Creative in-ring performance - Just because pro-wrestling is scripted, doesn't mean there's no creativity or athleticism involved. Pro-wrestling legends blend the two together, creating unforgettable matches. Kurt Angle is very athletic in the ring executing intense signature amateur wrestling moves at a fast pace. Why do you think pro-wrestlers like Sting and the Undertaker are entertaining? Because they have various types of moves: Power moves, high flying moves, submission holds, etc. However they don't just wrestle, but entertain the audience by doing something unique to their character and building anticipation in the crowd. For instance, John Cena likes to do his "you can't see me!" hand gesture before executing a finisher. Most of all, pro-wrestling legends sell (make pro-wrestling look realistic) like no tomorrow. One example is when the Undertaker limped on one leg after Kurt Angle put it in an ankle lock.
* Storytelling - You can have outstanding signature moves, but you will bore people if you do not tell stories. Storytelling is when a pro-wrestler builds drama during a match. How do you tell a story? Using your body. The Undertaker, arguably one of the greatest storytellers in pro-wrestling, is the finest example of how story-telling is done. He sometimes begins by having a staredown with someone he's been feuding with like his brother Kane. He then begins by fiercely attacking a pro-wrestler he's been feuding with more than the average opponent. When he gets locked into a chokehold, he sells and leaves you asking "how is he going to get out of that hold?" He also builds anticipation and plot twists by sitting up after a devastating finisher. Great stories happen when there is something at stake such as the Undertaker's streak at Wrestlemania. Just watch the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25. What made the match so great? Storytelling. It was the way Shawn Michaels put everything in his being to defeat the Undertaker and how the Undertaker gave everything to defend his streak.
* Strong fanbases - Stone Cold, Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, and Sting are all examples of pro-wrestlers who built a strong interaction with their fans. Building a strong relationship with fans starts by creating slogans, hand gestures, catch phrases, or naming fans. For example, Jeff Hardy often refers to his fans as "creatures" and vouches for them in the face of adversity. Gimmicks can also inspire people to dress up as their favorite pro-wrestler, giving him or her further exposure. Legends (heel or face) almost always make their fans apart of the action.
* Revolutionary accomplishments - Every pro-wrestler has contributed in some way or form to the success of a particular set of moves or company. Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, the Undertaker, and others have popularized the WWF/WWE with their entertainment reaching beyond the ring. They've dominated the entire promotion and that's what led them to revolutionize pro-wrestling. Only legends can leave long lasting impact on the pro-wrestling business.
If pro-wrestlers today would be inspired by all-time wrestling legends and learn what made them so successful, pro-wrestling talents would be more than athletes. Pro-wrestling legends go far beyond the norm and that's why they'll forever be engraved in the hall of fame.
Hardcore wrestling is a type of wrestling in which pro-wrestlers wrestle using weapons such as tables, chairs, staple guns, and thumbtacks. Hardcore wrestling was made popular around the 90's. It's also known as "Garbage wrestling" due to it's lack of technical skill that pure pro-wrestling has.
I dislike using the term "Garbage wrestling" because hardcore wrestling deserves more respect. In my opinion, hardcore wrestling takes more skill than pure pro-wrestling (one on one wrestling matches with standard rules). Some argue that it takes no talent for wrestlers to use various weapons on their opponents let alone get injured. This is an over-generalization. Hardcore legends such as Mick Foley, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, Raven, etc. have made it to big promotions. While it might not take as much technical skill to bash each other with lamps as a pure wrestling match, there is skill in taking serious blows and falls.
Pro-wrestlers in other extreme promotions use fluorescent lamps, barbed wire, glass, wild animals like snakes and scorpions, fire, thumbtacks, C4, knives, tables, along with other dangerous weapons. When pro-wrestlers face opponents in a hardcore match, they have to be careful not to accidentally cut a major artery or stab a vital organ. They also must adapt to different situations such as a burning ring or falling off of a steel cage. Some of the same principles of pure pro-wrestling still apply to hardcore matches.
WWF/WWE stopped hosting hardcore matches as too many wrestlers were getting injured. Other promotions do not host them as often as anymore. Hardcore wrestling isn't as popular as it once was however it's still practiced by other indie pro-wrestlers. I realize it's not for everyone but hardcore wrestling deserves respect for it's gruesome and skillful nature nevertheless.
While the Attitude Era was a very popular and successful period of time in the WWF, it is highly exaggerated and not as great as fans make it out to be. Like any other era, the Attitude Era had many successes but also some notable failures.
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