I’ve heard this current WWE Era referred to by many names.
Inquire about Cody Rhodes’ perspective, and he may refer to it as the “Renaissance Period” due to his trademarked title under that name. Probe Triple H, and he might label it the “Streaming Era,” considering that Monday Night Raw is available on a streaming platform now. If you ask fans, they could simply call it the “Triple H Regime” as Paul Levesque has left a significant mark since he assumed control.
Regardless of what you label it, this phase in WWE is undeniably outstanding, though not everyone may consider it the absolute pinnacle. Many dedicated fans might assert that The Attitude Era (1997-2002) remains the supreme period in WWE history, and I can understand their perspective…to an extent. However, I’d posit that this ongoing era has its own merits and could potentially surpass it. Let me explain.
Why It’s Better Than The Attitude Era: Every Lead-Up To WrestleMania Feels Bigger Than The Last
During The Attitude Era, several exceptional WrestleManias took place. At WrestleMania XIV, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin triumphed over Shawn Michaels to claim the WWE (previously WWF) Championship. Although WrestleMania X-7 is frequently hailed as the best WrestleMania ever, due to Austin’s heel turn and the spectacular TLC II match.
To put it another way, although The Attitude Era successfully constructed narratives leading up to WrestleManias, I believe Triple H has surpassed the achievements of Vince McMahon and his team in this area since he took charge.
Let’s revisit the main spectacle of WrestleMania XL and the conclusion of Cody’s narrative. As you may recall, it appeared that the event might not transpire as planned when Cody relinquished his chance to The Rock. However, the fans’ uproar led WWE to make adjustments.
Consequently, this development introduced one of WWE’s most iconic characters, The Rock as The Final Boss (although not everyone appreciates him). Moreover, at WrestleMania 41, there was a stunning transformation as John Cena switched sides to become a villain, or ‘heel’, during the Elimination Chamber match.
It appears that WWE may have accidentally created a character reminiscent of The Final Boss, but the build-up to the recent Manias has been exceptionally grand, reaching heights even surpassing those from the Attitude Era.
Why It’s Not As Good As The Attitude Era: Manufactured Attitude
During the peak of The Attitude Era, my pals and I would frequently find ourselves in a world of mischief by mimicking an action with X’s towards our lower bodies, followed by the exclamation “Take this!” or simply “Gotcha!
In the spirit of that time, I can’t help but recall instances when I found myself summoned to the principal’s office for actions deemed inappropriate, yet laced with a certain exuberance. The air was thick with defiance and energy, making it difficult not to feel invigorated by this era’s unbridled spirit.
Nowadays, it seems like when The Rock (or Cody) uses strong language or excessive violence, it feels contrived. Moreover, these instances frequently occur during special events, making it clear that they’re pushing the boundaries with their graphic content and profanity.
Indeed, wrestlers appear to enjoy greater liberty in their online behavior, using stronger language more casually. However, on television, particularly with the WWE, they tend to adopt a safer approach, making any genuine “edge” or authenticity feel scripted.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to admit, though I keep up with WWE, my heart leans more towards AEW. There’s just something about their marketing that seems less contrived, more authentic when it comes to the “attitude” they project.
Why It’s Better Than The Attitude Era: Both The Women’s And Men’s Divisions Are Equally Compelling
To put it plainly, during the Attitude Era’s Women’s Division, there were aspects that fell short of expectations. While it produced notable female wrestlers like Lita, Trish Stratus, and Chyna, who have left lasting impacts on WWE history, it was also a time when Stephanie McMahon held the title belt for extended periods.
To be honest, most of the rivalries in those days were primarily meant for entertainment, with little real emotional investment from the audience. Figures like The Undertaker, The Rock, “Stone Cold,” and arguably the greatest wrestler to ever wear boots, Kurt Angle, didn’t really stir deep-seated feelings among the spectators.
Today, it’s just as true, if not more so, that women are equally, if not more captivating than men.
The Women’s Division is now given greater importance, resulting in events like the Women’s Royal Rumble gaining prominence. Iyo Sky dethroning Rhea Ripley as Women’s Champion was a significant moment, particularly considering the challenges she faced to claim the title.
In the Attitude Era, efforts were made, yet the Women’s Division was often portrayed as a source of humor rather than given its due respect. Contrastingly, the present era is effectively utilizing the skillset of women wrestlers, leading to a significantly improved overall product.
Why It’s Not As Good As The Attitude Era: There Are Currently Major Stars, But The Older Stars Are Still The Main Attraction
Inquire from anyone whom they’re particularly eager to see at the forthcoming WrestleMania, and chances are they’ll mention Heel Cena, The Rock, or CM Punk as their top picks.
Essentially, what we’re talking about here is EXPERIENCED or ESTABLISHED stars. It’s important to note that our team boasts some incredibly talented young players such as Austin Theory, “Dirty” Dom, and Gunther. However, it’s the veterans from the past who are still drawing the crowds. They’ve certainly had their opportunities to shine, but the WWE is still leaning on veteran performers to attract viewers.
Unlike the current era, The Attitude Era saw characters such as The Rock, “Stone Cold,” Mankind, and Kane rise to stardom. Even lesser-known wrestlers like Al Snow, Val Venis, and The Godfather received significant recognition, unlike Chad Gable today.
It appears there’s a significant issue here, as although we have an abundance of promising newcomers in the WWE, the management continues to lean heavily on established stars to attract viewers.
On occasions when NXT and AEW were in competition for ratings, they strategically featured the Undertaker, despite him not participating in matches. Unlike the Attitude Era, which didn’t face this issue, as it fostered new talents that we continue to admire today.
Why It’s Better Than The Attitude Era: There Are None Of Vince McMahon’s Crazy Shenanigans
Generally speaking, when folks reminisce about The Attitude Era, it’s often in fond memories. They recall moments like D-Generation X, the Dudley Boyz’ table-smashing antics, and the iconic People’s Elbow. It was a golden age of wrestling enjoyment.
It’s quite common for people to overlook or even attempt to disregard some of the bizarre events that took place during The Attitude Era. For instance, remember when Mark Henry was involved with the elderly Mae Young, who gave birth to a hand? (I know, WTF?) Or how Linda McMahon was wheelchair-bound while her husband shared a romantic moment with Trish Stratus? Crazy times indeed!
In other words, for each captivating plot, there existed an equal number of lackluster or downright confusing stories, which seemed more like amusing jokes for Vince McMahon rather than thoughtful narratives.
In place of swift bookings, the narratives during Triple H’s tenure are meticulously crafted, often requiring more than a year to unfold, and this prolonged development significantly enhances our enjoyment.
As a film enthusiast, I’ll be the first to admit that the narratives aren’t the pinnacle of artistic mastery. However, let me clarify that they steer clear of the outlandishness that often leaves one scratching their head, like scenes involving an elderly woman giving birth to a hand. So, in its own way, it’s worth appreciating for its relative normality.
Why It’s Not As Good As The Attitude Era: Today’s Entrance Music Theme Songs Are Terrible Beyond Belief
Lastly, I just have to talk about Def Rebel, because they are quite simply terrible.
If you’re not already aware, Def Rebel is responsible for creating numerous entrance themes for contemporary WWE wrestlers. Some may find these themes to be unremarkable or even poor in quality, which has led to them becoming a popular topic of humor and internet memes.
To set the record straight, I’m not saying all of Def Rebel’s themes are abysmal. However, their quality doesn’t hold a candle to the exceptional work Jim Johnston produced for the company during The Attitude Era.
It’s astonishing how the timeless tunes crafted by Johnston have been surpassed, considering we were once captivated by legendary themes such as “No Chance” from Vince McMahon and Chris Jericho’s Y2J theme. Now, we encounter the kind of music that Def Rebel generates.
Since many people don’t fully comprehend a wrestler’s theme’s significance until the Royal Rumble, when the music plays and they find themselves puzzled about whose tune it is, we never encountered such confusion with Johnston. His themes were always outstanding.
But, what do you think? Which era do you think is better?
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2025-03-13 03:09