The Rock Vs. Steve Austin | Wrestling Timelines
December 15, 1997 - The Attitude Era Is Here
In an address that would come to be known as the introduction of the Attitude Era - but is promoted as ‘The Cure For The Common Show’ - Vince McMahon tells the audience that the WWF is changing, opening the gates to non-stop controversy and a new, warped tone. Americana is dead, and D-Generation X tells its grave to suck them off. McMahon, telling you that the days of “good guys versus bad guys” have also perished, believes that you are “quite frankly tired of having your intelligence insulted”.
The change has been coming; Vince just formalises it.
On the same show, Austin, infamously throws Rock’s Intercontinental title into a river. It’s another fun and creative angle, effective in solidifying Austin’s rebellious persona and literally washing away the iffy effect of the prior week.