10 Things You Need To Know About The Dawn Of WWE's Attitude Era

1. WrestleMania XIV & Aftermath

Steve Austin WrestleMania 13
WWE.com

If WrestleMania X-Seven was the death of the Attitude Era, WrestleMania 14 was the night on which it was born for a rapidly increasing number of new fans. The company had already announced the creative change in direction to its fanbase. March 29, 1998 was the night on which the WWF announced it to the world.

It was the company firing on all cylinders. The Rock, another beneficiary of the company's relaxed and collaborative approach to star creation, casually invented a lucrative catchphrase in the midst of a backstage interview with Gennifer Flowers. Sable, a buxom teenage daydream who in comparison to Miss Elizabeth - even Sunny - underscored the essence of this new WWF, made her in-ring debut to a deafening reaction. Everything felt brand new - and to underscore that, the company introduced a first - the Dumpster Match - to settle the shocking, headline-grabbing feud between Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie and the New Age Outlaws.

In the main event, Steve Austin's two year journey culminated in a match that saw him finally lift the WWF Championship. He was the new face for a new age, and he became the most popular act since Hulk Hogan by developing his own persona and promos.

There's a lesson in there somewhere.

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!