For many of those who experienced it, the Attitude Era of World Wrestling Entertainment was the greatest in professional wrestling history. It was a time of great excitement, of anti-authority sentiment. Sexuality and vulgarity were celebrated on a weekly basis. Monday Night Raw was destination programming, attracting even the most casual of fans and harshest of critics to check out what Vince McMahon and his circus of larger-than-life characters were up to next. It is not hard to see why. With headliners such as Steve Austin, The Undertaker and The Rock, wildly entertaining main events and compelling characters, it was the perfect mix of sports and entertainment. But history has been much kinder to the Attitude Era than it perhaps should be. Not every match made for splendid viewing. In fact, there were far more dreadfully boring matches that failed to follow up on the dynamic booking and storytelling that preceded them. Then there were those that were put on high profile pay-per-view events and just plain old sucked, a lethargy from those involved that led to a lackluster contest. At a time when fans openly criticize the current WWE product, it is time to take a stroll through the annals and relive just why the Attitude Era was not always as awesome as we thought.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
