History Of WWE's Attitude Era In 10 Matches

5. The Rock Vs. Steve Austin (WrestleMania XV)

Steve Austin The Big Show Vince McMahon
WWE.com

In 1997, Rocky Maivia had been reviled by wrestling fans. Turning that into real heel heat, The Rock was born, and suddenly something weird happened. Ironically, fans seemed to appreciate the man's performances as a heel, and he started to hear cheers. That's when the WWF played everyone brilliantly.

At the 1998 Survivor Series, The Rock turned his back on fans to align with both Vince and Shane McMahon. Things were progressing towards a marquee classic between Rock and Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV. It wouldn't be the last time that both men locked horns on the annual supershow, but it was vitally important to the era in question here.

The Rock was the defending WWF Champion, but he wouldn't leave with the belt. It was time for Austin to be crowned at WrestleMania once again, and the match itself didn't disappoint. Contested under No Disqualification rules, the 'Mania main event was a wild brawl.

Rock's journey had been a long one, but he was perfectly poised to drop the gold come WrestleMania. Strangely, he'd find more success during the 'Attitude Era' by once again turning babyface.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.