Remembering Vince McMahon's Promo Introducing the 'Attitude Era'

Vince McMahon needs to listen to his own words, the ones he shared with the world when he ushered in the Attitude Era.

As WWE readied itself to go to battle with WCW, to remake itself into a more irreverent, envelope-pushing product, McMahon told fans on Raw that change was coming. It did. WWE's most successful period followed.

The chairman could learn a lot from rewatching that promo. WWE is again in need of change, although it has no WCW equivalent to push it toward that transition into a new era.

It was December 15, 1997. McMahon was slowly moving away from his role as commentator and becoming a full-on character.

WWE was without Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan, their last two centerpieces. WCW controlled the ratings thanks in large part to the Hogan-led faction that was the hottest thing in wrestling at the time: NWO.

WWE had to do something to combat its rival. McMahon would soon lean on Steve Austin, Mankind and The Rock. He would amplify the testosterone in his own product, increasing its violence and sex appeal.

But first, he told us exactly what he was about to do.In a promo that saw him pull down the proverbial fourth wall, he said, "This is a conscious effort on our part to open the creative envelope, so to speak, in order to entertain you in a more contemporary manner. "If McMahon and WWE welcome the change that Wyatt, Rollins and others are set to bring, we will look back at that podcast interview in the same way we do the promo that lead in the Attitude Era.

It would be the precursor to WWE's next change of direction, its latest means to maintain its longevity.



Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2300370-remembering-vince-mcmahons-introduction-to-the-attitude-era-promo