Wrestling has reached levels of popularity in 2025 not seen since its Attitude Era.
From 1997 through 2002, WWE, then known as WWF, saw increased competition from competing promotion WCW.
As a result, the WWE stepped up its game, birthed iconic stars, and delivered legendary matches.
With the rise in popularity today, we look back at some of the best wrestlers from the Attitude Era.
Stone Cold
Some of wrestling’s biggest pops are due to the sound of Stone Cold’s glass shattering.
Steve Austin helped kickstart the Attitude Era thanks to his iconic “Austin 3:16” promo at King of the Ring 1996.
Stone Cold winning the title at WrestleMania XVI from Shawn Michaels didn’t just kick off the Austin Era; it helped establish the Attitude Era as the hottest thing in the industry.
The Rock
You can’t talk about the Attitude Era and Stone Cold without mentioning The Rock.
After a rough debut as Rocky Maivia, The Rock found hbecame WWE’s best talkers, combining an iconic look, memorable catchphrases, and an impressive in-ring performance.
His run as the Final Boss last year will go down in memory as helping to elevate the main event of WrestleMania XL and one of his best character arcs.
Mick Foley
Just like you can’t talk about Stone Cold without The Rock, you can’t discuss The Rock without Mick Foley
Foley is known for his three characters: Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, as well as his tag team run with The Rock known as the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection.
He would win his first WWF Championship against The Rock, with some help from Stone Cold, in 1999 during the Monday Night War. That indeed put some butts in the seats.
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Triple H
After his original run as Hunter Hearts Helmsley, Triple H cemented himself as a main eventer during his time in D-Generation X alongside Chyna and Shawn Michaels (more on them later, don’t worry).
After Shawn Michaels was forced into retirement following WrestleMania XIV, Triple H took over as the leader of DX and helped create the group’s iconic catchphrases and slogans. These helped the group break into the mainstream alongside the likes of Stone Cold and The Rock.
Without his ascent during the Attitude Era, Triple H wouldn’t be in the position he is today.
Chyna
“The Ninth Wonder of the World,” Chyna was just as imposing, if not more so, thher DX counterparts.
She was the first woman who qualified for the King of the Ring tournament, the first woman to be the number one contender for the WWF Championship, and the first (and only) woman to become Intercontinental Champion.
Shawn Michaels
The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels already made a name for himself before the Attitude Era, but his string at WWF Champion in the late 90s cemented himself as a star.
Yes, he had the controversial role at Survivor Series 1997 (in the eyes of many, this is the “official” start of the Attitude Era).
Yes, he lost to Stone Cold at WrestleMania XIV, which gave way to the Austin Era and helped kickstart the Attitude Era into what it became.
While he was retired for most of the Attitude Era, WWE recognized HBK’s contributions to this period in time, and we will as well.
The Undertaker
Speaking of WrestleMania, you can’t talk about the Showcase of the Immortals without the Deadman himself.
During the Attitude Era, The Undertaker captured championship gold several times, including defeating Sycho Sid for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13.
Yet it was his feud with his storyline brother that would capture most fans.
Kane
Glen Jacobs made his WWE debut in 1995, but the introduction of the character Kane, The Undertaker’s half-brother, in 1997 catapulted him to stardom.
Kane’s debut at Badd Blood: In Your House with Paul Bearer set the stage for one of WWE’s best storylines. “That’s gotta be Kane! That’s gotta be Kane!”
While Kane would lose his luster in the modern era, anyone who remembers his run in the Attitude Era, including the Brothers of Destruction, knows how menacing Kane was.
Ironically, Glen Jacobs has traded in his monster gimmick in the squared circle and is now the Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Kurt Angle
Do you remember when Kurt Angle won a Gold Medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with a broken neck? I sure do.
While Angle wouldn’t reach his full potential during the Attitude Era, his in-ring ability was second to none.
No one could compare, which helped deliver one of the most impressive “rookie” years in WWE history when he captured the WWF Championship in 2000 by beating The Rock at No Mercy.
Chris Jericho
Debuting in 1999 by interrupting The Rock, Chris Jericho cemented himself as a legend in WWE in just a short while.
He became the company’s first Undisputed Champion in 2001 by defeating Stone Cold and The Rock while standing toe-to-toe on the mic with some of the Attitude Era’s best.
Jericho is currently wrestling in WWE rival AEW and has been since AEW’s inception.
Mr. McMahon
You can’t have the Attitude Era without Mr. McMahon.
His legacy and reputation have been tarnished based on his past and involvement in the lawsuit with Janel Grant, but he was the perfect character for the Attitude Era.
When you think of both the superstars we’ve discussed and all of the iconic moments from the Attitude Era, Mr. McMahon was present for most of them.
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