WWE's ratings dropped from the Attitude Era peak as early as 2002, but mostly stabilised throughout the rest of the decade that was, until 2008's shift to PG at least, a sexualised hangover from their mainstream golden era. Even if they'd been responsible, the women still wouldn't have received the credit - it was out in the open that
"Ruthless Aggression" was the label based on what Vince McMahon requested from his talent, but a "Relentless Erection" might have been more in keeping with what he offered to his punters. Presumably assuming that his fans hadn't figured out how the internet worked beyond spending all day on WWE.com, McMahon believed it vital that his shows include copious amounts of stare-bait in the form of Divas matches way more about the skin on show than the in-ring skill.
That, or he just wanted an excuse to hire more women he could repulsively letch over under the guise of his grim artistic vision.
And speaking of grim artistic visions, WWE's bought-and-paid-for ECW brand was suddenly also apart of his single-tissue agenda, and what a playground for debauchery it promised to be.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation for 10 years. Alongside the production of daily written, audio and video content covering WWE and AEW, he also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years.
As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot on the UK's wrestling podcast charts with over 10,000 episodes and 70,000,000 total downloads. He also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House!, Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast, and has guested on long-running Sunderland AFC podcast Wise Men Say.
With WhatCulture, he has provided in-person coverage of some of the biggest pay-per-views and Premium Live Events in wrestling history, including WrestleMania, Survivor Series, All In & Double Or Nothing in destinations such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. He has also been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana, 411Mania and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling.
Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in music and culture magazines The Crack, Pilot as well as Sunderland AFC's premiere fanzine A Love Supreme. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it every other Saturday at the Stadium Of Light, and at Cribs gigs nationwide.
