Attitude Era Icon Unsure If He Could Be Successful in Today's WWE

One conversation that is constant not just in wrestling, but all of sports is the debate between [...]

By Jack Snodgrass

One conversation that is constant not just in wrestling, but all of sports is the debate between New vs. Old. Could Hulk Hogan bring widespread Hulkamania to 2017? What would it look like to see John Cena cut a promo in 1988? We have to resort to our imaginations, but one thing is clear: WWE is constantly changing.

Fans of the old days love to say that wrestling was better way back when, but who's to really say? Maybe the Ultimate Warrior would be a flop in today's heavily scripted WWE. For Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Texas Rattlesnake is grateful to have his big run when he did.

On a recent episode of this podcast, Stone Cold expressed gratitude for his timing along with a little anxiety over the thought of having to perform in today's' WWE:

"It's the environment along with the writing [that influence whether a performer gets over nowadays]. Man, I'm glad I came around when I did.If I was to come into today's system looking the way I looked back in the day with the buzz haircut, just walking into the doors of the then-WWF in today's landscape, goddamn, I don't know what would've happened."

It's shocking to hear Stone Cold say that his intoxicating Attitude Era character could struggle in 2017. But the world he thrived in was a much different atmosphere:

"I think either way is tough and comparing eras is comparing eras, but they are unique in and of themselves. It's the same business, but it has changed so much, but I liked that back in the day there was so much competition and the two biggest companies in a war. I mean, you could just go out there and try s--t. These days, not so much."

Certainly, a WWE with no competition is considerably different than one that was fighting for its life in 1997. However, is the micromanaging and overly written scripts that much of a hindrance for today's wrestlers? If Stone Cold is doubtful that he could "get over" then how would someone like Dean Ambrose or Finn Balor feel?

Perhaps the infinite exposure WWE superstars face today is a double edged sword. That combined with incessant leaks and an insatiable thirst for rumors makes WWE operate in a much different lens than they once did. Regardless, WWE has been great this summer. Let's hope they can keep the momentum rolling.

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