WWE Under Triple H: Is It Better Than the Attitude Era?

---

The Attitude Era (1997 – 2002) is often hailed as the golden age of professional wrestling — WWE then WWF. It was a time when WWE was bold, edgy and wildly popular — mind the pun. Storylines like the Brothers of Destruction, Kane’s Personal Revenge, Triple H constantly pitting the siblings against each other and Stone Cold Steve Austin’s rebellion against authority pushed boundaries that made stars cultural icons. 

But under Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s creative guidance, WWE has taken a different path — one that emphasizes storytelling, in-ring excellence and character depth. Triple H holds the title of Chief Content Officer for all three brands — Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. Since his reign, the brands have taken a shift. This shift raises the golden question: Has WWE under Triple H become better than the Attitude Era? Let’s dive into four core areas to explore how the eras compare.

1. Creative Direction and Storytelling

WWE is known as a global leader in sports entertainment. The company is committed to remaining family-friendly and delivers content that’s watched in over one billion households and 20 languages. 

Attitude Era: 

The Attitude era thrived on chaos. Monday Night Raw was like a car crash in slow motion — impossible to look away from. Vince McMahon’s on-screen rivalry with Stone Cold Steve Austin set the tone for anti-authority, rebellious storytelling. Storylines were fast-paced, shocking and often over-the-top. While some plots were unforgettable, others seemed senseless or controversial. The Attitude Era was reactionary, often booking from week to week based on ratings and controversy. 

Triple H Era:

WWE star Triple H took over these duties in 2002 and introduced long-form storytelling that rewards viewer investment. Let’s look at the Bloodline Saga — what began as a faction grew into a year-long drama filled with emotional depth, family betrayal and evolving characters. Feuds now develop seamlessly and the writing uses a more strategic approach based on emotional payoff. 

The storyline is now more consistent but lacks the unpredictability the Attitude Era had. Triple H’s creative approach also respects fans’ intelligence. While there are still surprises — not as shocking as WWE Raw — they’re inserted to enhance the storyline and promote the emotional depth. 

2. In-Ring Product

Attitude Era:

During the Attitude Era, the focus was often on spectacle over substance — in-ring work was often overshadowed by character work. While matches were high-energy and emotionally charged, many icons, such as Triple H, The Rock, The Undertaker, and others, depended on charisma and storytelling rather than actual wrestling. 

Matches were shorter and brawling often replaced wrestling fundamentals. Iconic matches like TLC and Hell in a Cell stood out for the chaos and innovation it brought. Fans didn’t tune in for five-star classics, they tuned in for moments — a dopamine rush. Hardcore matches, interference-heavy bouts and gimmick finishes were the norm. 

Triple H Era:

Under the leadership of Triple H, fans saw an era of in-ring quality. Wrestling took a turn toward a quality cornerstone of WWE’s modern identity. Influenced by his time overseeing NXT, Triple H prioritizes athleticism, psychology and specifically the in-ring quality. 

Today, matches are longer, cleaner and more methodical. Wrestlers are given time and freedom to tell stories inside the ring and not just through promos. Performers like Seth Rollins, GUNTHER and Cody Rhodes deliver consistently high-caliber bouts. The bar for in-ring performance is higher than ever. Wrestlers are better conditioned, trained in a wider variety of styles like incorporating healthy weight training into their routines and often come from global backgrounds — resulting in more diverse and innovative matches. 

3. Talent and Roster Depth

Attitude Era: 

The Attitude Era was a golden age for star power. WWE created global icons like The Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, Mick Foley and The Undertaker. These wrestlers transcended the business, appearing in movies, mainstream media and pop culture. Even mid-carders like Val Venis, The Godfather or The New Age Outlaws have strong character identities and crowd reactions. WWE in the late 90s felt like a must-see ensemble show filled with magnetic personalities. 

Triple H Era: 

Aiming for more in-depth content storylines, reports indicate that Triple H is involved in roster cuts and recruiting talent for the three brands. Part of the philosophy shift, he aims to involve more college athletes to train instead of hiring independent wrestling talent. NXT 2.0 focuses on finding talented athletes and training them to build muscle and a healthy physique from the beginning.

Triple H explained that the company’s initial goal was to create a pool of independent wrestlers. NXT 1.0 largely focused on the power that wrestlers brought but 2.0 will differ because the college talent pool is massive. His focus is on creating new talent and making stars who will reign for several years. 

One of the stars is Roman Reigns who has been successfully rebranded into a dominant heel champion. Other wrestlers who have honed their skills on this journey are Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and GUNTHER. While the Attitude Era may show star power but Triple H’s WWE builds more layered and sustainable characters who will carry forward the shift from shock to emotionally engaging storytelling. 

4. Women’s Wrestling

Attitude Era: 

In this era, women in WWE were rarely treated as serious athletes. Conflicts like bikini contests and catfights were common. Women were often side characters in men’s stories with limited in-ring time or character development. Men portray muscular physiques and are accompanied by women who play love interests. In 2015, the shift began, and women were seen in more prominent roles but it wasn’t the norm for women to be highlighted as the main event during the Attitude Era. 

Triple H Era:

Triple H contributes to women being treated equally to men. Several female stars show support for the shift that Triple H contributes to in highlighting women’s talent. Triple H spoke out on how ratings matter, regardless of gender. If ratings are high for specific storylines or talent, then he’ll invest in that. About 40% of viewers are female, and he hopes that someday, women wrestlers will be appreciated and held in high regard like men. 

Which Era Is Better?

Comparing WWE under Triple H to the legendary Attitude Era isn’t about declaring a definitive winner — it’s about recognizing how wrestling has evolved to meet the needs of a different time, audience and media landscape. The Attitude Era thrived on shock, rebellion and star power. Triple H’s Era reflects on long-term storytelling, character development, and athletic credibility. 

Both eras define greatness in their own terms. It’s not about which era is better, it’s about appreciating how far WWE has come and where it’s heading. As a viewer, it’s about what you enjoy watching and appreciating that WWE caters to both eras so you can experience entertainment in either one.