15 Things We Learned From Triple H On The Steve Austin Show

11. The Reality Era

Steve mentions The Attitude Era and how the shows had a sense of urgency that it feels like today's product lacks and asks Hunter how The Reality Era came about. He says that kayfabe is dead, but that fans will still believe to a degree, so they have to embrace the insider aspect of the business to keep fans involved. He points out that fans no longer have to seek out the behind-the-scenes info the way they did before - it's not just the Observer, it's Grantland and mainstream news - and the reality is the business now. There's such a crossover that you can't deny it anymore. Austin then follows with a question of if people are more concerned by what's going on backstage than in the ring and Hunter says "Sometimes". He said when they don't tell the story well that people are critical of the process more than the story itself, but that people want to go along for the ride.