10 Things We Don't Miss About WWE's Attitude Era

7. The Undertaker

Jerry Lawler Arm Wrestle
wwe.com

The Undertaker is beyond reproach these days, and with good reason. Not discounting his legendary run of Match Of The Year candidates at successive WrestleManias, he has also torn it up elsewhere in thrillers against a variety of opponents with unique styles, like Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy.

But, despite a then-career best year in 1997, his contributions to the Attitude Era ranged from mediocre to embarrassing to massively unprofessional. Stuck with the lumbering Kane for much of 1998, their matches haven't aged particularly well. But even against superior opponents, 'Taker struggled to build on the fearsome in-ring legacy he'd forged post-1994.

His bout with Austin at SummerSlam 1998 was a colossal disappointment, beset by botches, and nowhere near the level of the Bionic Redneck's influential (for better or worse) series with Dude Love earlier in the year. Elsewhere, 'Taker, perhaps insecure about his spot, was also taken with sabotage. His treatment of Kurt Angle at Fully Loaded 2000, during which he lifted him back up after what would have been a successful pin attempt, was appalling. He'd only get worse during the Invasion angle, too. He wasn't an opponent for Diamond Dallas Page - he was his dominatrix.

The Undertaker is one of wrestling's greatest ever stars - but his work during one of its greatest ever eras was largely woeful.

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!