[robertdeniro]

WWE.com has posted a list of the 25 moments that defined the Attitude Era. Steve Austin coining the phrase "Austin 3:16" at the "King of the Ring" in 1996 topped the list, followed by the formation of the original D-X (HBK, Triple H, Rick Rude and Chyna), The Undertaker - Mankind "Hell In A Cell" match at "King of the Ring" in 1998 and the Mike Tyson - Steve Austin confrontation on RAW in 1998. Bret Hart "snapping" on RAW in 1997 rounded out the top 5.

Here is the list:

#25 WWE purchases WCW: Raw, March 26, 2001
#24 The debut of Big Show: St. Valentine's Day Massacre 1999
#23 Crash Holly declares the Hardcore Championship will be defended 24/7: SmackDown, March 2, 2000
#22 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin fills Mr. McMahon's Corvette with cement: Raw, Oct. 12, 1998
#21 The formation of The Corporate Ministry: SmackDown, April 29, 1999
#20 The Big Boss Man crashes the funeral of Big Show's father: SmackDown, Nov. 11, 1999
#19 Mankind morphs into Cactus Jack: Raw, Jan. 10, 2000 & SmackDown, Jan. 13, 2000
#18 The Rock is crowned "The Corporate Champion": Survivor Series 1998
#17 The Undertaker kidnaps Stephanie McMahon: Backlash 1999 & Raw, April 26, 1999
#16 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gives The Corporation a beer bath: March 22, 1999
#15 The debut of Kane: Badd Blood 1997
#14 "The Greater Power" is revealed: Raw, June 7, 1999
#13 "This Is Your Life": Raw, Sep. 27, 1999
#12 The debut of Chris Jericho: Raw, Aug. 9, 1999
#11 Triple H reforms D-Generation X: Raw, March 30, 1998
#10 The Montreal Screwjob: Survivor Series 1997
#9 Mick Foley wins his first WWE Championship: Jan. 4, 1999
#8 Triple H marries Stephanie McMahon: Raw, Nov. 29, 1999; Armageddon 1999 & Raw, Dec. 13, 1999
#7 D-Generation X invades WCW Monday Nitro: Raw, April 27, 1998
#6 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's first Stunner to Mr. McMahon: Raw, Sept. 22, 1997
#5 Bret Hart snaps: Raw, March 17, 1997
#4 "Tyson and Austin!": Raw, Jan. 19, 1998
#3 The Undertaker vs. Mankind - Hell in a Cell Match: King of the Ring 1998
#2 The formation of D-Generation X: Raw, Oct. 13, 1997
#1 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin coins "Austin 3:16": King of the Ring 1996.

 

[lancaster223]

No Vince at the hospital?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

What about Austin vs Hart at wm?

And I think the purchase of WCW didn't defi the AE it pretty much ended it.

 

[East]

That's a pretty great list by WWE.com standards. Not much to disagree with really.

 

[King_Of_This_World]

Good list.

Would have also included Austin attacking Vince in hospital, Linda being drugged and in the wheelchair, and Kurt Angle and the milkfloat.

 

[mellison24]

Have to say, I think Mankind morphing into Cactus Jack is one of my fave moments ever........yeah, ignore my avatar :S

 

[AthenaMark]

That's a pretty great list by WWE.com standards. Not much to disagree with really.

Except DX was nowhere near as important as being the #2 moment..that's the screwjob of Bret or something to do with Tyson coming into the game. Mike Tyson is one of the top 2 reasons why the crowds started getting RED HOT in 1998 every single week. When he and Austin had that confrontation after Rumble 98, the crowds and the energy were never the same again and it got everything over. All of that Foley stuff on that list shouldn't be there either or that high.

 

[Apocalypto]

Except DX was nowhere near as important as being the #2 moment..that's the screwjob of Bret or something to do with Tyson coming into the game. Mike Tyson is one of the top 2 reasons why the crowds started getting RED HOT in 1998 every single week. When he and Austin had that confrontation after Rumble 98, the crowds and the energy were never the same again and it got everything over. All of that Foley stuff on that list shouldn't be there either or that high.

Aside from Austin in 1997-1998, Foley was the second most loved wrestler in the industry at that time. I lol'd @ your comment.

 

[KO Bossy]

Uh...

Where's Austin driving the Zamboni and attacking Vince?

Undertaker's unholy wedding?

Austin being appointed CEO?

Austin attacks Vince in the hospital?

First Blood End of an Era?

Formation of the McMahon-Helmsley Faction?

Austin has Vince arrested?

Austin turns heel (recognized by many as the end of Attitude)?

Formation of Rock and Sock?

Austin's first title win at WM14?

Undertaker 'crucifies' Austin?

Dudleyz Powerbombing Mae Young off the stage?

TLC?

Shane leaping from the Titantron at Summerslam 2000?

DX parodies the Nation of Domination?


I'd say that all of these are more important than Bossman crashing Big Show's funeral, Big Show's debut or the 24/7 rule for the Hardcore title...

 

[TheRainKing]

A lot of the right moments, but in completely the wrong order.

 

[Big Steve]

God, the hospital scene is pure gold. Thanks for the reminder

 

[Senor Ding Dong]

How the hell did Crash Holly get on that list?

 

[Green Light]

No Rock throwing Austin into the river?

 

[Suley]

I'm surprised at the lack of Rocky in the list.

 

[Riddle101]

I agree with the list, just not in the order it's in.

 

[Ghoshlad1989]

austin being run over is surely after the hell in cell 98 and austin 3:16 the best moment in attitude history

 

[BruiserKC]

I would have put Pillman's pulling a gun on Austin on this list.

 

[KO Bossy]

Totally forgot about Austin being run over and Rock throwing Austin in the river. Those for sure.

Another one I missed-Austin using a monster truck to run over Rock's Lincoln Town Car and the hearse he rented.

What about HIAC with Taker and Shawn? It introduced the whole concept!

Austin's Royal Rumble wins?

Debut of the Radicalz? (of course they won't mention THAT one...)

 

[Xander45]

How the hell did Crash Holly get on that list?

The 24/7 hardcore title was a huge part of the attitude era, just the random craziness of it all summed it up well.

And I wouldn't argue with Crash if I were you, he weighs well over 400 pounds.

 

[neolunar]

I don't know why this match ALWAYS gets overlooked but Triple H vs. Cactus Jack on RAW 1997. (first Foleys appearance as Cactus in WWF btw) it was a frist WWF match with all the hardcore elements (tho' they didn't call it Hardcore match at the time) it had lots of weapons, table spot and count anywhere. It was basicaly WWFs first real hardcore match, it looked like something straight out of ECW, and that kind of stuff pretty much defined Attitude Era match style.
It's never on any list and almost never mentioned by fans.