The Attitude Era remains one of the most revered chapters in professional wrestling history, evoking nostalgia among fans who fondly reminisce about its unforgettable highlights. Even though some of its moments may seem questionable by today’s standards, its impact is undeniable.
Legendary icons from this period, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker, are still celebrated and recognized as monumental figures in wrestling. These entertainers consistently generated exhilarating moments that captivated audiences week after week, solidifying their status in wrestling lore.
This article delves into some of the most memorable events that characterized what many consider the peak of sports entertainment.
10 Hell in a Cell Begins
The Birth of a Monster
Kane’s dramatic emergence, as he tore off the doors of the Hell in a Cell to confront his estranged brother, The Undertaker, marks a significant milestone in WWE history. However, this explosive moment was predicated on an equally significant match that preceded it.
The inaugural Hell in a Cell clash between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels was notorious for its brutality, showcasing Michaels enduring extreme punishment, including a harrowing fall from the cell into an announcer’s table.
From that night forward, The Undertaker adopted the Hell in a Cell match style as his signature. Although the finale somewhat overshadowed the fierce battle preceding it, Kane’s entrance heralded an exceptional storyline, bringing to life one of the era’s most compelling characters.
Kane was not just a terrifying presence; he also displayed surprising agility and ferocity in the ring, amplifying the darker and more intense vibe of the Attitude Era.
9 Are You Ready?
Two Words We All Remember
When a wrestling stable permeates schools, sporting events, and broader pop culture, you can be sure that it has left a lasting impact. This was the case with Degeneration X in the late 90s, whose iconic catchphrase, “Suck it!”, echoed through hallways, while NFL players adopted their gestures on the field.
Their journey began with Bret Hart labeling Shawn Michaels, Chyna, and Triple H as degenerates, leading to the formation of wrestling’s most legendary stable. They took on authority, mocking every wrestler and nation they encountered and establishing themselves as anti-heroes in the WWE landscape.
Concerns arose when Michaels temporarily retired due to a back injury, but Triple H seized the moment, propelling the group to new heights alongside X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws. Their boldest moment came with the infamous tank invasion of a WCW show, showcasing their audacity and rebellious spirit.
8 The Rock Joins The Nation
A New Era
The inception of the Nation of Domination marked a monumental shift in WWE dynamics, representing the company’s first prominent African American-led faction. Drawing inspiration from the Black Panther movement, the stable was a serious collective with an impressive leader, Farooq, at the helm.
Among the groundbreaking moments of the Attitude Era was the recruitment of a brash young athlete, Rocky Maivia. Transforming from a wholesome babyface to the polarizing heel known as The Rock, he became one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history.
Ultimately, The Rock surpassed his peers and broke away from the faction, cementing his legacy as one of the premier stars of the Attitude Era, now affectionately referred to as The Final Boss.
7 Bret Lets Loose
The WWE’s Model Wrestler Breaks the Rules
Bret Hart was a cornerstone of WWE’s New Generation Era, but as wrestling’s landscape transformed, so did his persona, culminating in a pivotal promo in 1997.
Following a controversial match on RAW where he believed he had been unfairly defeated, Hart unleashed a passionate tirade that initiated the Attitude Era.
He candidly addressed the systemic biases he faced within the organization, ushering in a time when wrestling champions were complex characters—no longer purely good or evil. This powerful sentiment marked a turning point for the medium, elevating its credibility.
6 Shawn Retires
HBK Breaks His Back
At the onset of the Attitude Era, Shawn Michaels was the face of WWE—its champion and leader of the iconic Degeneration X. However, a dire turn of events occurred during a casket match against The Undertaker at the 1998 Royal Rumble.
After sustaining a severe back injury, Michaels valiantly completed the match, but he was rendered immobile the following day. Despite his miraculous ability to compete at WrestleMania soon after, the injury ultimately led to his hiatus from wrestling until 2002.
This vacancy allowed rising stars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to emerge and dominate the wrestling landscape, forever transforming the industry.
5 Mankind Vs Undertaker, Hell in a Cell
Mankind Takes a Fall
One night changed the professional wrestling landscape forever—Mankind vs. The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell. An audience filled with uncertainty was ready to witness this unprecedented showdown.
As the match unfolded, Mick Foley, embodying Mankind, took two of the most shocking falls in wrestling history. The first, a planned stunt, involved being hurled from the top of the cell, plummeting through an announcer’s table below. Yet, in classic Foley fashion, he pressed on.
Climbing back to the top, he faced The Undertaker only to be driven through the cell itself—a moment that left the crowd gasping in disbelief. With injuries mounting—including a tooth lodged in his nose—Foley epitomized the spirit of resilience, while the intensity of the match sent shockwaves throughout the industry, forever defining the Attitude Era.
4 Stone Cold Steve Austin Doesn’t Tap Out
The Rattlesnake Turns Face
The Attitude Era required a standout star to transcend the mounting competition, and Steve Austin was poised for greatness. However, he found himself in a perilous feud against fan-favorite Bret Hart.
The pivotal moment arose during their legendary WrestleMania 13 bout. As Austin endured an agonizing Sharpshooter—blood streaming down his face—he refused to submit. Instead, he passed out, irrevocably shifting audience allegiance from Hart to Austin.
This marked the birth of Steve Austin as the defining figure of the Attitude Era, paving the way for his meteoric rise in the months that followed.
3 The Montreal Screwjob
The End of the Hitman
Arguably the most notorious event in WWE history, the Montreal Screwjob marked the end of an era. Bret Hart was on the verge of departing for WCW while still holding the WWE Championship, complicating matters as he faced Shawn Michaels in Canada.
Initially planned as a chaotic finish tailored for a follow-up title drop on Raw, the match deviated dramatically when Vince McMahon ordered the belt to be taken from Hart as he was locked in the Sharpshooter.
Hart learned he had been sabotaged by management, leading to a dramatic confrontation where he physically retaliated against McMahon. This fallout birthed the greatest antagonist of the Attitude Era, the tyrannical figure of Mr. McMahon.
2 Vince vs. Stone Cold
The Feud That Defined the Era
Every era in WWE is marked by a defining feud, and for the Attitude Era, it was undoubtedly the clash between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon. Following the Montreal Screwjob, Vince’s controlling nature was exposed, transforming him into an antagonistic figure.
The conflict encapsulated the quintessential blue-collar struggle against the tyrannical corporate boss, capturing the hearts of fans everywhere. Their feud produced an array of legendary promos and matches, cementing its place in wrestling history.
Vince, while not a conventional wrestler, captivated audiences as a character that fans loved to loathe, further elevating Austin into the pantheon of wrestling greatness.
1 Stone Cold Wins Gold
The New Face of the Company
As the Attitude Era gained momentum, Stone Cold Steve Austin was destined to become its face, but he faced a significant hurdle in the form of Shawn Michaels. During a high-stakes match filled with anticipation, with Mike Tyson in the corner of DX, the atmosphere was electric.
Shawn performed remarkably despite his severe back injury, carrying the match alongside Austin, who was determined to seize the moment. The iconic reversal of a superkick into a Stone Cold Stunner led to a thunderous three-count, igniting an explosive pop from the crowd.
In a dramatic turn, Tyson betrayed DX, further aligning himself with Austin and crowning him WWE Champion. This moment heralded the birth of Stone Cold’s reign, complete with popular catchphrases and an avid fan following that embodied the spirit of the Attitude Era, leading to epic rivalries, including those against Vince McMahon and The Rock.
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