8 Amazing Wrestlers That Flopped In WWE's Attitude Era
WWE 'Attitude' wasn't always kind to these previously-celebrated workers.
The 'Attitude Era' created more legendary superstars than just about any other period in wrestling history. The roster was filled to the brim with A-list talent, but not everyone managed to find their fame and fortune during WWE's most notorious era. In fact, some of the best wrestlers and personalities failed in a big way.
Some of these unfortunate superstars had already found success in WWE, but just failed to fit the mold as part of the company's bold new direction. Others were heralded in rival companies, but failed to adjust to Vince McMahon's creative whims. Whatever the reason, these amazing wrestlers found themselves circling the drain of hopelessness throughout one of wrestling's biggest ever booms.
From being knocked out in front of the world to ending up in a commentary booth, the 'Attitude Era' managed to chew up and spit out wrestlers who were brilliant in their own right but simply didn't thrive in the-then WWF during the late 90s and early 2000s. Whether or not these wrestling greats would work in another time or under a less bonkers head of creative is an argument for another day.
Ready...set...'Attitude'!
8. Tazz
Taz's reign of terror in ECW was one of the greatest runs of the 1990s. His immense power, intense promos, and killer catchphrases, coupled with his Rey Mysterio-esque low centre of gravity, made him arguably the greatest heavyweight champion in extreme history. Signing with WWE during the last period of the 'Attitude Era' and being rebranded as Tazz, expectations were justifiably high for the 'Human Suplex Machine'.
Things started in the greatest way possible, with the fed's new star debuting at the Royal Rumble 2000 and snapping the undefeated streak of Olympic gold medalist (and future Hall Of Famer) Kurt Angle in just over 3 minutes. By the end of February, the man who went to war with the hardest men in ECW and held their world title for 252 days was being beaten by Crash Holly for the Hardcore Championship. By February 2001, he was a full-time commentator on SmackDown.
The records show that Tazz won the Hardcore belt 3 times, but these reigns lasted a matter of minutes as part of the championship's 24/7 gimmick. His only other run with a WWE title came when he held the tag straps with ECW compatriot Spike Dudley. That is so much less than a worker of his talent and reputation deserved.
Tazz had the skillset to be a major player in the 'Attitude Era'. He's a great personality and wrestling is a far more enjoyable place with his presence on commentary, but his time on WWE's main roster was a major disappointment after his superb work in Paul Heyman's land of extreme.