10 Most Influential Moments That Were Precursors To The WWE Attitude Era
2. Survivor Series 1996
Many within the pro-wrestling industry point to this night as the night that attitude was truly born in WWE.
The event was held in the hallowed Madison Square Garden and would feature the in-ring return of Bret "Hitman" Hart as he wrestled Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin had been gaining momentum ever since the King Of The Ring and the New York faithful crowd, while still supporting their loyal hero the Hitman, also showed their appreciation for the WWF's newest rising star.
Later in the evening, the raucous New York crowd continued to fan the winds of change by vehemently rejecting babyface champion Shawn Michaels. In the main event against Sycho Sid, Michaels lost his composure and was clearly affected by the negative reaction.
The main event also featured a tasteless finish in which Jose Lothario, Michaels' mentor and cornerman, feigned a heart attack after being hit in the chest with a gimmicked video camera Sid had taken off the camera operator. The controversial finish saw Sid powerbomb Michaels and win his first WWF Championship, to the roar of the MSG crowd.
The underlying feel of the event was that of a gritty nature. Coming out of the show, Sid and Austin were even bigger stars than they were heading in, leading the company down a much different path.