What was The “Attitude Era” REALLY like? Joel O’Brien thinks WrestleMania 15 has the answer to that question…

“Like the mythic gods of ancient Greece, they may thrill us, inspire us, at times make us angry, but they will never let us forget them” – “Classy” Freddy Blassie

 As I relived WrestleMania 15 – an event that certainly had a profound impact on my childhood- I found this quote, embedded in the opening video package, to be somewhat appropriate when summarizing “The Attitude Era” of WWE.

Looking back with older eyes, I can easily see what inspired me. It was characters and factions like X-Pac and D-Generation X rebelling against the system and standing up for a lifestyle that wasn’t exactly regulated. To say it was easy to live vicariously through such personas would be a massive understatement.

Looking back with older eyes, I can see what thrilled me. It was the storylines involving Triple H defecting to The Corporation that had me eating up the drama and clamoring for more answers every Monday night on RAW.

However, looking back with older eyes, there’s plenty that makes me angry. The complete disregard for pro-wrestling tradition and psychology – while edgy at the time -helped establish the diluted version of the industry we know today. Whether it was booking former top-tier WCW stars like total goofs or presenting ridiculous notions of “hanging” a man from a cell roof, WWE 1999 gives us many reasons to look away in shame.

Despite all this, iconic headliners such as The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin ensure we will never forget the greatness this period of time provided us. With one match that stood head and shoulders above the rest, “The Great One” and “The Rattlesnake” put forward a perfect example of “old school” pro-wrestling meshing cultural change and expectations. From WrestleMania XV onwards, Steve Austin and The Rock would continue to exemplify “The Attitude Era” and WWE for generations to come.

Like it or hate it…WrestleMania 15 stands as a perfect snapshot of the WWE’s ” Attitude Era” .

WWE Hardcore Championship:

“Hardcore” Holly def “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn (c) & Al Snow (NEW CHAMPION):

The first-ever Mania contest for the Hardcore Championship provided just a little sample of what would be an “Attitude Era” stable: mindless plunder that would make any wrestling purist squirm. In fact, the only time the fans got out of their seats for this opener…was via a chair shot/ table spot combo by the ultra popular “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn! A fun, yet uninspiring opener.

WWE Tag Team Championship:

Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett w/ Debra (c) def Test & D-Lo Brown w/ Ivory

Vince Russo’s fingerprints are all over this one. Having a random heel and a random babyface win the right to face the Tag Team Champions in a battle royal certainly would force anyone to scratch their heads. The action here is secondary to the showcasing of a scantily-dressed Debra and her eventual confrontation with Ivory. A completely “nothing to see here” encounter.

“Brawl for All”:

Butterbean  def Bart Gunn

This is what happens when unpredictability meets a predetermined environment. A complete destruction and embarrassment of Bart Gunn: a WWE performer who was destined to benefit from the promotion of this fight…IF he beat Butterbean…which he didn’t! Bart was never to be seen again after this and neither was the abomination called the “Brawl For All”

Winner Referees the WWE Championship main event:

Mankind def Big Show (via DQ)

Following a mind-boggling loss to Steve Austin 1 week prior to WrestleMania XV, it’s incredible The Big Show would be positioned like such a mindless “Big Man” so early in his WWE career. Sure, Mankind bumped like an absolute madman throughout the match to sell Show’s power and strength. But nothing sells power and strength like decisive wins and positioning Big Show as a SMART giant, which unfortunately didn’t happen via this lousy DQ finish. Furthermore, Mr. McMahon publicly running down the WCW turncoat for his idiocy didn’t help matters in the credibility department. Regardless, this is easily the hottest thing on the show thus far, thanks to the newsworthy babyface turn of Show post-match.

Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match:

Road Dogg (c) def Val Venis,  Ken Shamrock and Goldust w/ The Blue Meanie & Ryan Shamrock)

Considering the level of talent in the ring for this one, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this is easily the best match on the card up to this point. The lone babyface in Road Dogg keeps the fans emotionally invested throughout, while veterans like Goldust keep to action slick and smooth. Sure, there was some classic “Attitude Era” tomfoolery on the outside thanks to Meanie and Ryan Shamrock, but this was an easy 4-way to get into.

Kane def Triple H (via DQ)

Growing up, D-Generation X was a massive driving force behind my and many others love for WWE. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the reuniting of Chyna and Triple H during this match – however convoluted in retrospect – made many jump to my feet. While the post-match angle garnered the biggest pop of the night thus far, the match between Kane and HHH is one of those well-worked matches where both wanted to pull off a Mania-worthy classic…but fell that little bit short. Regardless, a memorable moment for “The Attitude Era” and a precursor of things to come later in the show.

WWE Women’s Championship: Sable (c) def Tory

It’s funny that people remember Sable as this “The Attitude Era” ambassador for female wrestling. However, when it comes to her in-ring activity…it’s obvious fans have a selected memory when making that statement. It would be at least 2 to 3 years until the Trishes, Litas, Ivorys made a holistic impact on every facet of their division. With the GIGANTIC Nicole Bass making her WWE debut, this match gave the fans another “puppy sighting” for the night and some shock value to boot.

WWE European Championship:

Shane McMahon (c) def X-Pac

I have to give credit where credit is due: WWE knows how to throw an effective swerve at us when the time is right. In what would be an effective double turn for WWE going into 1999, Triple H would shockingly turn on X-Pac and DX minutes after the group became whole again, while Kane would make the transition into a red-hot babyface role. Meanwhile, X-Pac and Shane O’ Mac put forward surprisingly GREAT European Championship match, showcasing the future skill set of McMahon: one of the best part-time performers WWE has ever seen. If you ever want to see an effective “Attitude Era” match that pays off a lengthy storyline, this one is defiantly up there as one of the best.

Hell in A Cell:

The Undertaker def The Big Bossman

Marred by a weird “heel vs heel” dynamic, Big Bossman being way past his prime AND a overly stupid hanging angle post-match, Undertaker vs Big Bossman stands as the most forgettable Hell in a Cell match in history. In what would ironically turn out to be a perfect buffer match for the main event, Taker and the former- Big Bubba found themselves going through the motions with little to no heat. A devastatingly disappointing encounter between two veterans if I ever saw one.

WWE Championship:

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin def The Rock (c) (NEW CHAMPION)

Thank GOD for this match saving a completely average WrestleMania!! This is a masterpiece of a WrestleMania main event and a perfect example of what happens when well defined characters and highly skilled performers come together. Yes, “Attitude Era” deterrents such as ref bumps, tones of interference and dangerous chair shots are littered throughout. The only difference is, Rock and Austin expertly utilize these elements to make sure they work in conjunction with the story they are presenting. The end result is an unforgettable conclusion to Austin’s long road back to the WWE Championship, called by the returning Jim Ross behind the commentary table. A historical “must-see” match for any pro-wrestling fan.

Follow Joel @WrestlingRBreak

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