The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin were singlehandedly the reason why the WWF (now the WWE) didn't lose the Monday Night Wars to WCW. They were the reason why the WWF became big again and the reason why the Attitude Era was the most successful time in WWE history.
For me it's tough to decide who was more important to the success of the Attitude Era because they were both important, but if I had to decide I would pick Steve Austin because he was the main reason for the start of the Attitude Era and he was the reason it was so successful early on and throughout. What do you think?
2007-03-19 13:09:19 · 20 answers · asked by Thomas C 4 in Sports ➔ Wrestling
Keep in mind I want a detailed answer. If you just give the name you won't get chosen as best answer.
2007-03-19 13:14:07 · update #1
Steve Austin. Fans wanted edgy realism at this point and the cartoonish heel/face had ran it's course. What better storyline to have than the employee that kicks his bosses *** every week and get under their skin. Come on now, what person doesn't want to kick their bosses *** at times, right?
Austin represented the ordinary man that won't take crap off nobody and rather screw "the system" before it screwed him. And if the system did screw Austin, he made sure there was hell to pay.
This is kind of similar to how Dusty Rhodes got over in the 70's and early 80's.
2007-03-19 13:15:57 · answer #1 · answered by Arnold 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without a doubt I would say Austin. It was the attitude of rebellion against a repressive boss that made him so popular with the "average joe". It was Austins ability to not only say what he wanted, but to come out and back it up that made the Badittude era the way it was. Coupled with the charismatic and handsome Rock, it was a killer combination. However, the victory was hard earned and didn't really look like it was going to happen for a while there. Because, for some time, Stone Cold carried the WWF entire show. Sure other stars contributed, Undertaker, Sable, HBK, Foley and others who where very popular at the time, but ultimately it was Austin the viewers tuned in to watch. With many many people living procariously through him, who wouldn't want to douse their rival or their boss in beer, who actually can? Stone Cold thats who!
2007-03-19 19:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by gus_zalenski 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say The Rock.
Yeah, Austin was the main reason for the Attitude Era, but The Rock kept it going. Claiming to be "The People's Champ" and his signature move, "The People's Elbow" got the fans involved. He was a true entertainer, and he kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Even now, a special appearance from The Rock would blow the roof off of any arena, while an appearance from Austin would only cause some fans to start yelling, "WHAT?" in between every sentence.
2007-03-19 13:16:03 · answer #3 · answered by Hero 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well there would be no Attitude Era if there was no Steve Austin. He's the reason it even started. Long before Rock was throwing catchphrases out of his ***, Stone Cold was hollering 3:16. Austin vs. McMahon was the true centerpiece of the Attitude Era.
2007-03-20 02:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by RichMac82 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stone Cold Steve Austin was more important. He was the top guy in the company ever since he defeated Jake Roberts to win the King Of The Ring. The Rock was one of the top guys just like Austin. But during his entire career in the WWE Rock only defeated Austin ONE TIME. So this tells me that Vince and the other officials in the WWE wanted more of the fame to go to Austin, because just like Cena now in the current times Austin sold the most merchandise and got Vince more money.
2007-03-19 13:37:26 · answer #5 · answered by KISS Fan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Rock cause he was involved more during the Attitude Era then StoneCold Steve Austin.
2007-03-19 13:54:56 · answer #6 · answered by m & m melts in your mouth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steve Austin. His popularity was way higher than The Rock and he was the best. During those days people that didn't watch the WWF knew Austin 316 but they didn't know The Rock.
2007-03-19 13:47:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one, but I would ultimately say Stone Cold. He was a very formadible wrestler and his fued with Vince McMahon and all those retaliation tactics he did on him were very well-known and the fans loved it.
The Rock was very charasmatic, a jerk to the people who tried to interview him, and had that "People's Elbow" move which was entertaining. But he didn't do quite as much controverial stuff like Stone Cold did.
As for the two most popular, entertaining wrestlers that made a huge impact in that attitude era, it was Stone Cold and The Rock.
2007-03-19 13:24:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steve Austin. He was credited for reviving the WWE. He won his first WWE Championship when the Rock was still in the mid card. The Rock deserves credit too. Austin by an eyelash.
2007-03-19 13:13:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
stone cold started the attitude era, the rock didn't rise into popularity until later on in the attitude era, he was still doing mid level matches. It wasn't just those two... don't forget about DX,the nation, the ministry, corporation, etc. Either they had better writers back then or they superstars were just better and they didn't have to rely on bra and panties to boost there ratings.
2007-03-19 14:59:40 · answer #10 · answered by o.O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋