10 Things You Learn From Watching 1997 On The WWE Network
6. The WWF Were Still Trying To Push Cartoon-Like Characters
As things progressed towards what would eventually be known as the Attitude Era, the WWF started putting more stock in characters with hard edges like Steve Austin and D-Generation X. Several years beforehand, such personas would have never made their way onto Monday Night Raw or company pay-per-view. Pressure stemming from WCW's success with the nWo necessitated the change.
Watching 1997 on the WWE Network makes it crystal clear that Vince McMahon didn't change overnight. In '97, characters like The Sultan and Rockabilly were still prevalent, Sultan was even chosen to oppose the similarly cheesy Rocky Maivia for the WWF Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania 13.
Billy Gunn's modern update of The Honky Tonk Man fell flat, and it took a change in gimmick to Rikishi years later for the man playing The Sultan to get over.
In amongst more realistic personas like Stone Cold, Ken Shamrock and DX, it's utterly fascinating to see McMahon maintain that cartoon-like sheen on the undercard. 1997 may have been when Attitude really kicked into high gear, however it was simultaneously a hangover from the 'New Generation'.