The Most Overlooked Connection Between Roman Reigns' WWE & Stone Cold's Attitude Era

WWE's Attitude Era is universally beloved by fans and for good reason. Its iconic characters and jaw-dropping angles made it an absurdly fun time to be a consumer of the product.

There was nothing quite like it prior to that point, and nothing has come close to matching that same edginess and excitement since.

Spanning from 1997 to 2001, that business-booming period featured some of the most memorable content the company has ever produced. The matches themselves weren't as well-regarded as they are today, but its greatest strength was the audience's investment in a majority of the roster.

That element had been missing for so long within WWE, at least until Triple H replaced Vince McMahon as the head of the company's creative direction and attempted to bring it back.

WCW brought the best out of WWE in its heyday and we're seeing history repeat itself with WWE and AEW. It took far longer than it should have, but WWE has finally figured out how to restore faith in its fans: by creating characters that they will want to see.

Much like during the Attitude Era, it's become less about the matches and who's winning them than the stars themselves and making everyone feel larger than they are.

Reintroducing the Authenticity That Has Long Been Missing from WWE TV

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin will forever be synonymous with the Attitude Era thanks to how his never-back-down, rebellious aura encapsulated what that period in WWE's history was all about.

He had his fair share of top-tier matches against a variety of opponents along with several world title reigns, but it was his portrayal of the character that got him to that next level. He didn't win every match he had, nor did he hold the WWE Championship for more than a few months at a time.

He was simply himself–sometimes to a greater degree than normal–and the audience recognized that. There were no limitations on what he could say or do and he played that role remarkably well.

In the years that followed, many Superstars didn't feel remotely as authentic. The WWE production is so drastically different from what it was that it's virtually impossible to churn out another Austin, but Roman Reigns has cemented himself as a household name during this Tribal Chief run because he's been given the freedom to be real.

He was one of the only attractions WWE had post-pandemic, but a handful of others have since emerged as a result of the recent overhaul in creative direction.

Wins and Losses Aren't Everything, but Booking Is Paramount

As previously discussed, wins and losses still very much matter, though it's entirely dependent on the wrestler in question.

Chad Gable is a phenomenal performer, and although he's gotten over with the audience at various points in his career, he hasn't been able to maintain that momentum with the way he's been booked. He will remain a midcard player until that perception changes.

LA Knight, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. He's been in WWE for a lot less than Gable but has gotten over more organically than Gable and countless others never have. Being a main-event-caliber competitor is obviously a factor, but WWE getting behind him has made all the difference.

That includes giving him main-event exposure and television time, merchandise opportunities, and enough victories over established top talent. The same can be said for Jey Uso who, prior to the Dec. 18 edition of Raw, hadn't won a televised singles match in over four months.

WWE has a slew of Attitude Era-esque babyfaces at their disposal because they're supported by the booking and, consequently, the audience. Once they break through that threshold, they could embark on a lengthy losing streak and it wouldn't hurt their standing with the fans in the slightest provided their characters continue to shine through.

Finding the Right Balance Between a Compelling Storyline and Excellent Wrestling

This day and age, exceptional in-ring action is available in spades from a variety of wrestling promotion. WWE has been no exception for the past decade, but it wasn't the first company fans flocked to for the best matches anywhere in the world.

Moreover, compelling storytelling hadn't been nearly as prevalent until Triple H took the reins of WWE creative.

It wasn't completely unheard of when Vince McMahon was in charge of the company for there to be some strong stories worth following, but WWE gradually ruined any goodwill they had with fans who held out hope for a quality payoff but were consistently disappointed.

At that point, WWE became a promotion that hosted great matches–albeit not as frequently as AEW and other alternatives–but failed to keep the audience engaged long-term. Since taking the helm, Triple H has managed to rehab that reputation and excel in both areas simultaneously.

It has improved the product tenfold and made the Superstars bigger stars in the process. Being booked to shine in their storylines while also putting on performances they're capable of will only bolster their connection with the crowd.

Modern-Day WWE Is Creating Magic in Its Own Way, Not Unlike the Attitude Era

The biggest mistake WWE could make with the modern-day product would be attempting to recreate the magic of the Attitude Era in any way. Paying homage is acceptable, but what worked then will not have the same success in 2023.

That's why staying ahead of the curb and making the most of the advantages they have over other promotions (higher production values, bigger venues, star power, etc.) is key. WWE is in an unprecedented era at the moment unlike anything fans have experienced in the past with the combination of simplicity and unpredictability paying dividends for them in a major way.

Most of that can be attributed to the white-hot stars WWE has across its deep roster–arguably more now than any other time in recent history.

There was someone for everyone to root for or relate to during the Attitude Era, and this current Roman Reigns-led era is very similar in that sense. Not every storyline will be a hit, but WWE is doing a much better job of explaining why things happen and fleshing out certain characters.

Focusing on the faces of the future and building up more talent to reach that bulletproof-level of booking will ensure this prosperous period persists for WWE.

---

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.