WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley recently explained why many fans still connect with matches from the infamous “Attitude Era.”
Mick Foley played a major role during WWE’s Attitude Era through his portrayal of three different characters: Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love. Some of his most notable matches took place in this era, including the Mankind vs. The Undertaker Hell in a Cell match, which is still celebrated today.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Foley reflected on why younger fans continue to connect with matches from the Attitude Era. Foley noted how many fans weren’t even born when the matches took place, but they’ll still approach him about matches like Hell in a Cell.
Mick Foley explains why Attitude Era matches still resonate with fans
Foley speculated that those contests resonated because the match was the focus, rather than today’s commentary being focused on so many other variables.
“Now, I can’t prove this, but I wonder if part of the reason younger audiences are drawn to matches from my era is because we called the matches. Like Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were locked in on the matches. There weren’t so many things they had to go to that would take people out of that suspension of disbelief.
“That’s just a theory on my part. But I think, 10, 20 years down the line, the matches that JR called, whether it was with the King or whether it was Jim Cornette in WCW, they’ll stand the test of time,” Foley continued. “I think [they’ll stand out] better than the current matches in WWE because it seems like the matches are a means to an end instead of something to be enjoyed for themselves.”
Foley also compared the presentation of modern wrestling promotions like AEW, where he recently debuted as an on-air personality.
“So, I just feel like at this point, AEW has the personal ownership. It shows in a way, and a love and a feeling of magic that I don’t think the corporate ownership of WWE displays nearly as well.”
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