With more violence, sexual overtones, and controversial storylines, the Attitude Era went over the limit and then some. It would change the way in which people viewed professional wrestling, and generate a tremendous following in the process. With that said, here are who I consider to be the greatest wrestler's from the most recent peak of professional wrestling.
In terms of the selection process, factors involved include: longevity, star power, match quality, and overall contributions that have made each particular wrestler a lasting icon when looking back on this era.
10) New Age Outlaws - Ohh you didn't know? While they're a tag-team, they deserve a mention for being arguably the greatest tag-team of the Attitude Era and making big contributions in DX. This was one of the "The last of a dying breed" (as Triple H would say...) when it comes to great tag-teams in the WWF/WWE, and they were always sure to entertain.
9) Kurt Angle - Oh it's true. Right from the start, Angle excelled tremendously in his transition from amateur wrestling to professional wrestling. His wrestling ability speaks for itself when considering the sheer consistency in terms of quality matches. Outside of the this, Kurt was excellent on the microphone, and a natural as a heel during this era.
8) Kane - Although Kane tended to hang mostly around the mid-card during this period, he was still booked as the dominant monster he should be, which is something that has since changed. Teaming with X-Pac, Mankind, and The Undertaker, he frequently held the Tag Titles, and had several memorable feuds with the top guys of this time. When the lights went out, and flames emerged, hell was sure to come.
7) Chris Jericho - Y2J made a tremendous splash upon entering the WWF, in what was one of the most memorable debuts in WWF/WWE history. Being given a much deserved push to the main event scene, as well as having been involved in great feuds for multiple Titles, Jericho demonstrated why he is one of the greatest all-around performers in the business.
6) Triple H - With the formation of DX, Triple H generated increased popularity which he had never really received prior to the emergence of the Attitude Era. Upon forming the McMahon-Helmsley faction, he was a mainstay in the main event scene, and had some great rivalries with the likes of Mankind, Steve Austin, and The Rock. Say what you will about his backstage politics, but Triple H certainly deserves credit for the wrestler he became.
5) Shawn Michaels - Even though HBK was away from wrestling during several peak years of the Attitude Era, there's no denying his influence in making it a huge success, even before the Era was established. The feud between DX and the Hart Foundation played a major part in the transition into the Era, and HBK's over-the-top shenanigans throughout 1997 and 1998 really set the tone for the road ahead.
4) Mankind - Whether it was Mankind, Cactus Jack, or Dude Love, Mick Foley was always one of the guys who set the tone for this period with his hardcore style and loveable character. He was a constant when it came to the fight against the likes of The Corporation and The McMahon-Helmsley faction, and defined what the Era was all about. One of the most memorable moments came when he won his first WWF championship on Raw, which many consider to be a turning point in the Monday Night Wars.
3) The Undertaker - Whether he was the Deadman or the American Badass, the Undertaker was a staple in the Attitude Era. The Ministry of Darkness was one of the coolest stables wrestling had ever seen, and 'Taker played the role as the demonic leader to perfection. When switching to the American Badass gimmick, he was able to do so effectively, and it showed that he had the versatility to go outside of his character he was used to for the better part of a decade. Title or no title, Undertaker was almost always hovering around the main event scene, and a constant threat for the belt.
2) The Rock - The switch from more PG friendly wrestling into the rise of the Attitude Era brought tremendous potential for many wrestlers of the time, and The Rock was one of them. Upon making the transition into a heel role, The Rock showed his ability to captivate an audience on the mic, and the people ate it up. The People's Champ brought countless memorable moments, both in his promos, and through his charisma in the ring. Whether he was a face or a heel, there was little that could be done to prevent the crowd from joining in on his signatures catch phrases, and there may never be anyone who electrified quite like The Rock.
1) Steve Austin - The greatest, and possibly most influential wrestler of the Attitude Era is none other than the Texas Rattlesnake. From the time he gave his famous 3:16 speech, Austin was well on his way to becoming something big, and the essence of the Attitude Era brought out the best of his talent. Between his constant feud with Vince McMahon, as well as his unpredictability, it was always worth tuning into Raw to see what he would do next. Austin's defiance of authority, and fight against the evil Mr. McMahon brought the wrestling world to a whole other level in terms of mainstream appeal, as virtually anyone can relate to taking a stand against the authority. With tremendous promos, and tremendous matches, Steve Austin was the heart and soul of the Attitude Era, and there may never be another character quite like him ever again.
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