10 Most Influential Moments That Were Precursors To The WWE Attitude Era
1. "Pillman's Got A Gun" Angle
Arguably, the most controversial angle in perhaps all of WWE history was when Pillman had a gun on RAW.
In the middle of a feud with former WCW tag team partner Brian Pillman, Steve Austin vowed to show up at Pillman's house in Walton, KY.
From inside the home, Pillman was seen laid up with a legit-casted ankle having had surgery just days prior. The ankle had been crushed like an egg shell in a massive automobile wreck the previous April. Since Pillman couldn't physically match Austin with only one functioning leg, he enacted castle law to protect himself and his home with a gun.
Austin made his way inside the home after breaking the glass (coincidentally enough) to unlock the door. He then stormed the house with the camera quickly cutting to Pillman taking aim with his weapon before the feed cut out.
A final skirmish ensued with Austin returning to the house and Pillman instructing his friends to "get out of the f**king way" before the broadcast ended.
The combination of the language, the gun, the tone and the incredible acting by both Austin and Pillman resulted in an angle that would've been intense even for the Attitude Era and was far too intense for many in 1996.