10 Things You Hate About Modern Wrestling (Thanks To The Attitude Era)
6. Sanitised 'Extreme' Wrestling
WWE's in-ring product was at its most dangerous during the Attitude Era. The period is partly defined by its excesses between the ropes, with blood, unprotected chairshots, and death-defying bumps commonplace. This satiated the crowd's thirst for violence, but it also raised expectations to impossibly high levels, forcing performers to put their health on the line to avoid disappointing the audience.
This was phased out following Attitude's conclusion, and done away with entirely when WWE went PG in 2008. This has created a much safer environment for those taking the risks, but despite the clear shift, WWE continue pushing the idea that they're an 'extreme' company, creating an identity crisis.
The company's bouts have never been as sanitised as they are today, and by promising brutal, violent matches like Hell In A Cell, then failing to deliver, WWE are setting themselves up. It's impossible for today's 'extreme' bouts to live up to those of the Attitude Era, which completely desensitised the audience to violence.
'Too safe, too boring,' is a common criticism for WWE's style in general, but it's particularly pertinent when it comes to hardcore wrestling, and expectations set in the Attitude Era are to blame.