10 Things That Would Happen If Today’s WWE Wrote The Attitude Era

8. The Rock Doesn't Turn Heel

stone cold steve austin stephanie mcmahon
WWE.com

It is the year 2000.

For three and a half torturous years, WWF fans have endured the all-smiles Rocky Maivia character, whose gee-whiz disposition has remained unaffected despite the ugliest of fan reactions. Clearly handed unflattering direction in late '96, it is as if this performer now is something even more artificial than that descriptor suggests. He is a puppet. The only faint sentience within him is a haunted look behind his dazzling teeth, and it's uncanny, a bit sad, but not enough to stem the blood-thirst of a public that hates him, and hates him more with every major win and multi-seg TV appearance.

The fans hate this. They hate it.

The fans, and this is a bit much, really, hold up signs with a disturbing yet emphatic message: DIE ROCKY DIE.

A senior management figure approaches Vince McMahon, as the production meeting empties and only the inner sanctum remain.

"Vince, they're holding up signs with DIE ROCKY DIE written on 'em. Do we turn him?"

"They're German, pal. The signs say "THE ROCKY, THE."

"So they want us to turn him heel, as The Rock, kickstarting a phenomenally entertaining and lucrative chapter of WWF programming?"

"Have him say "OOO-AH" more."

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!