Define the Attitude Era

i don't think a logo defines an era. to me, the "attitude era" technically started with the advent of the hipper, brasher RAW IS WAR set in February 1997, when Russo's booking really began to shine through. Generally though, I start it at the night after Survivor Series 1997 when up until 2000, shortly after Russo left the WWF. I just can't consider 2000-2001 in the same vain as 98-99 because they are so completely different. 2000 was just the height of wrestling's popularity and had awesome shows and PPV's, and 2001 was good until WM X-7 and the InVasion killed the year dead. and 2002 was just awful and directionless, before and after the great name change.

so to sum up and answer, to me it's November 1997 to December 1999.

At·ti·tude Er·a (a-tə-tüd, - tyüd er-ə, e-rə, ir-ə) n
A point in time in the World Wrestling Federation beginning from a) June 1996 when Stone Cold Steve Austin won the King of The Ring and gave his victory speech featuring "Austin 3:16" b)November 1997 at the Survivor Series when Vince McMahon developed the Mr McMahon character in what is commonly known as "The Montreal Screwjob" or c) in March 1998 when Stone Cold Steve Austin beat Shawn Michaels to become the WWF Champion until a) March 2001 at Wrestlemania 17 when McMahon & Austin shook hands leading into the InVasion storyline or b) when the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment.


God, I went all out for that one.

It's about time someone else says that.

my own personal opinion.

it started when mcmahon "screwed" bret and finished round about the time of the invasion circa 2001.

again in my own opinion, the wwf made a botch job of the invasion and kind of killed the excitement of the "attitude era" for me

thanks for the input lads.

and to those who think the attitude era is overrated-we all have our problems.

DX, Steve Austin, Taker, Kane, Rock, McMahon's.......

Before I can begin to talk about the Attitude Era, you would have to find the moments that ultimately began the new era.

Here are the five moments that eventually led to the Attitude Era:

1. Steve Austin's 1996 King of the Ring Coronation Speech
2. Pillman's Got a Gun
3. Bret Hart's "This is Bull****" promo
4. Austin Stuns McMahon
5. Montreal Screwjob

The moment that OFFICIALLY began the Attitude Era is when Austin first became the World Wrestling Federation Champion. Austin became the guy that McMahon had invested millions of dollars on to lead the company in a new direction. Austin's popularity is based upon something that employees would love to do to their boss and made wrestling a household name again. McMahon saw that and had Austin run with the ball for as long as he could.

Soon after, The Rock, Mankind, and Triple H became major players. The I Quit Match at the '99 Royal Rumble (BM Note: I can't believe it has been almost a decade since 1999) has to be one of the most damndest matches I've seen. Triple H's rise began in D-Generation X and later led to title win number one on August 23rd, 1999.

I would consider the height of the Attitude Era from WrestleMania XV to around SummerSlam 1999. Plenty of memorable moments came from that time period. Fast Foward to late-2000, early-2001. The wrestling boom was clearly on the tail end. The storylines didn't have that controversal nature seen in 1998-1999 but was still a must watch. I truly consider the end at WrestleMania X-Seven.

WrestleMania X-Seven signified the end of era for many reasons. WCW folded as well as ECW. Vince McMahon was the only ball game in town. McMahon decided that the storylines could be toned down due to the lack of competition.

Due to the lack of competition, it's unlikely we will ever see another boom period for years to come.

This comes up alot...

The Attitude Era started the night after WM 14...and pretty much ended when the Invasion happened

For me the Attutide Era was a group of incredible top liners working some great brawls in the main event with some incredibly engrosing storylines.
HOWEVER the rest of the card generally sucked with far lesser talented wrestlers seemingly wrestling for no reason or wrapped up in gimmicks or storylines supposed to be funny but often failing to hit the mark.

The opposite of WCW at that time which was crap topliners but incredible undercards. However often for WWE the storylines & main events were so strong that the poor underneath action just didn't matter.