10 Times WWE Was Categorically Worse Than It Is Right Now
2. Monday Night Raw 2002
The chaos of 2002 in WWE was perhaps a natural knock-on from the unexpected commercial and creative drop-off the company experienced following April 2001's WrestleMania X-Seven.
The show that turned out to be the season finale of the Attitude Era was the closest the company ever came to pay-per-view perfect, but their dragon-chasing exploits following the total collapse of the woeful 'Invasion' angle later that year resulted in the most frantic and farcical booking ever seen under the once-wise watch of Vince McMahon.
The year started with the high-profile return, split, reformation and dissolution of the New World Order, and the breakdown of Stephanie McMahon and Triple H's marriage being the centre of 'The Game's WrestleMania X8 title programme. From there, Raw 'Commissioner' Ric Flair lost Stone Cold Steve Austin when 'The Rattlesnake' walked for real, then his job when Vince McMahon decided to completely rejig the ill-fated first Draft.
The shockwave of new red brand General Manager Eric Bischoff's arrival lasted about a fortnight before he was used and abused as the front face for some of McMahon's worst ever creative. Triple H's self-staged ambush of Shawn Michaels followed the gifting of a World Title followed Hot Lesbian Action followed Katie Vick, all whilst SmackDown became WWE's leading light. Unlike most of the talent left remaining, the good times were over.