The edgy content. The unpredictability. The fun. The characters. For those reasons, and many more, Attitude Era is one of the most beloved and memorable periods in professional wrestling history. It was also the most successful from a business standpoint, rescuing Vince McMahon's promotion from the brink of bankruptcy and ultimately winning the Monday Night Wars for World Wrestling Entertainment. As time has passed, however, it has become clearer and clearer that many of the most highly-touted aspects of the era were not quite what they have been made out to be. Some of the harshest criticisms surrounding that period of time have proven unfounded while many of its once-strongest attributes are now, in hindsight, many of its biggest flaws. The era has been at the heart of many arguments some 17 years after its inception. Some look back at it for what it was: a revolutionary period in history that captured the attention of the world beyond wrestling and catapulted the industry into mainstream consciousness. Others, however, have taken to exposing its weaknesses in an attempt to prove that it has been overrated through the years by both the company it benefitted and the fans that were such a vital part of its success. While most of the argument is opinion-based, there are several misconceptions that today's fans have about that point in time. Some surround the ring work while others pertain to the storytelling. Still others concern the content itself. What are those misconceptions? Why do they exist and how did they become accepted as fact in the first place? Take a look.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
