WWE DVD Review - The Attitude Era

WWE DVD Review: The Attitude Era (3 disc set)

For many younger fans of the WWE, the product they see today is the only show they know and to be honest that is perfectly fine. But if you are someone who has a few more miles on your clock then this DVD box set is for you.

The Attitude Era is the term commonly used for the peak period in the WWE (then known as the WWF) between 1997 and 2000. This was the time that Vince McMahon was under extreme pressure from rival company WCW and their owner Ted Turner. Turner and Co. (with his millions of dollars in the bank) were on a roll during this time in the late 1990s, their deep pockets were attracting many big name wrestlers and with each new signing the viewing figures for the WWE product were falling. 

This was a time where Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall (all WWF regulars) had jumped ship to the Atlanta based WCW. The viewing figures for WWF programming were slumping and yet it was a time fans will forever remember, as this was the moment wrestling became must see TV. Both major companies pulled out their big guns during this time frame and for the first time in years we saw pay-per-view calibre matches on TV for free.

To combat this all out assault on their core audience the WWE took a bold step and offered up an assortment of wild, wacky and in some cases downright crude storylines. What is nice in this presentation (The Attitude Era) is that the WWE have not pulled any punches and they have indeed allowed us fans to see the mistakes they made, alongside the significant successes that accompanied them. 

The Attitude Era saw the rise of such wrestling superstars as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock, DX, Mick 'Mankind' Foley, Chris Jericho, Christain/Edge, The Dudleys, APA and Diva's such as Lita, Sable, The Kat and Trish Stratus. 

So what can you expect from this boxset I hear you say? Well first up we get a glimpse back at a time where the wrestling industry was a very close two horse race and the WWE were worrried (we will get this thrill again as TNA grow) and they put up one hell of a fight. This was a time where fans were spoiled and we loved it, each week on live TV we saw PPV quality matches and our heroes were always there to see as well. 

This a time where Steve Austin could drink beer and flip the bird when he wanted, blood would flow freely and DX would advise us all to 'Suck It'. This was also a time frame where the WWE presented us with an assortment of offbeat characters including Val Venis, The Godfather, Goldust and much more. 

The Attitude Era Three Disc Set is a wonderful look at a key period in the WWE/WWF's history and will not only appeal to older fans, but newer ones too. The main feature paints us a nice picture of the 1997-2000 years involved. It then leads on to (disc 2 & 3) a selection of pivotal in and out of ring moments.

I give The Attitude Era DVD (3 disc set) a 4 out of 5 and highly recommend it.

By Phil Allely