10 Most Influential Moments That Were Precursors To The WWE Attitude Era

Before Charles Wright became The Godfather and before Val Venis introduced audiences to the The Big Valbowski, the most controversial character in the World Wrestling Federation was undoubtedly the bizarre Goldust.

What started out in late '95 as an androgynous, overtly sexual wrestling character had been significantly toned down less than a year later, even being turned babyface after organizations like GLAAD had given Vince McMahon massive grief over the character's portrayal.

Prior to his babyface turn, however, Goldust would be allowed a momentary return to the envelope-pushing histrionics that made him a WWF superstar in the first place.

On the May 27th, 1996 edition of RAW, an unconscious Ahmed Johnson was taken to the back of the arena on a gurney after being knocked out by Owen Hart. Goldust arrived on the scene and attempted to give Ahmed an unnecessary revival using "CPR". There were no tricks or gimmicks used here, as Dustin Runnels legitimately planted one on the Pearl River Powerhouse, sending the real-life Tony Norris into a proper frenzy.

While Goldust would be shunted down the card following his Intercontinental Championship loss to Johnson at King Of The Ring, the character would ultimately return to his controversial ways, this time as The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust, by late 1997.