For many, the Attitude Era remains the peak of WWE’s popularity and quality.

It was also undoubtedly the breeding ground and launching pad for many future household names, with perhaps no other export of the era more important than Cold Stone Steve Austin.

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The Texas Rattlesnake became famous after winning the King of the Ring and rose through the Attitude Era as arguably its biggest name, his bold personality and style perfectly summarizing the social sentiment of the era.

Other notable names include the rockwho became the cocky and charismatic character he is now known for during the era, while Triple HKen Clover, the undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kane and Shawn Michaels They all enjoyed stardom during the period.

One of the big debates among wrestling fans has always been when exactly did the Attitude Era begin?

Many point their fingers at the incredible WrestleMania battle with Bret Hart in 1997, while others are sure it all began months later, at November’s Survivor Series, when Vince McMahon stripped Hart of the WWE title in one of the most controversial endings to a wrestling match. .

Another candidate comes in Austin’s 1998 WWE Championship victory over Michaels at WrestleMania, with the help from mike tysonsince it propelled the megastar on his upward trajectory.

But if there are always strong conjectures about how a favored period in wrestling began, a new date has also emerged as to how the Attitude Era came to an end.

It happened in what is now known as the Era of Ruthless Aggression, the period that gave rise to John CenaRey Mysterio and other top stars, but once again there’s a lot to be said about when one became the other.

A recent clip emerged in

Austin aligned himself with McMahon and turned heel (the wrestling term for villainy) for the first time in years, in an attempt to refresh his character and career.

In retrospect, some have insisted they never wanted to see anything like it, with one fan crediting the shocking scene as the final nail in the coffin of the Attitude Era.

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“This was the end of the Attitude Era,” the publication declared. “No one wanted to see a Stone Cold shaking hands with Mr. McMahon.”

Another backed that up, saying: “Dumbest decision for WWE at the time,” while a third chimed in: “Worst booking decision that ever happened to Stone Cold.”

However, not all fans shared that opinion. One responded, “To be honest, I thought this was awesome,” while another perspective said, “I know I’m in the minority here, but I actually liked the heel turn. “It was a refreshing take on Austin’s character.”

Another response read: “In WWE’s defense, you couldn’t drag out Austin vs VKM forever, this was a good twist.”

Did Stone Cold Steve Austin start the Attitude era? Did the turn of his heel mean his demise? Those points are likely to be debates for many years to come, although what is indisputable is the star power during the period in which he won multiple WWE titles and wrestled some of the company’s biggest names.