The creation of the Hardcore Championship was a bold move to have another secondary title in the Attitude Era. Vince McMahon gifting Mick Foley a trashed title was more of a storyline purpose than the eventual result of a division forming. WWE decided to double down since hardcore wrestling was more popular than ever before by having title matches for the belt with no rules.Comedy would get added to the scenario when the belt could be defended any time and any place with the 24/7 stipulation. The wrestlers without storylines or feuds going could have something to compete for. An idea or concept like that could go poorly as seen with the 24/7 Championship today, but it worked in the Attitude Era. The Hardcore Championship deserves more credit for being a genius idea at the time.
WWE Featured More Hardcore Wrestling During The Attitude Era
The influence of ECW saw WWE and WCW adding hardcore wrestling as part of the show. WWE slowly started to implement the style towards the end of the New Generation Era during matches like Bret Hart vs Diesel, Shawn Michaels vs Mankind, and Bret Hart vs Steve Austin using weapons. Fans enjoyed seeing the use of tables, chairs, and dozens of other weapons when necessary.
The Attitude Era saw WWE take a drastic change with the hardcore style becoming more consistent. Concepts like Hell in a Cell, TLC matches, and plenty of other scenarios allowed the wrestlers to tell bloodier stories in the ring. The Hardcore Championship added a perfect mid-card title to play into the fan interest for that desired wrestling.
Names like Al Snow, Hardcore Holly, and Raven would see the hardcore style become part of their identities in WWE. The hardcore division gave them the platform to have violent matches and continue improving their standings in the company by competing over a title. Snow hitting opponents with a bowling ball was out of place in a matchup for the Intercontinental Championship, so it added importance for wrestlers of that ilk.
Hardcore Wrestling Brought About Entertaining Comedy Wrestling
The hardcore division started to take off in a new way when the 24/7 rule came into effect. WWE found more comedic use out of the stipulation than violent since it created hilarious predicaments outside of the ring. Crash Holly specifically became one of the most over wrestlers in the company due to his stints with the Hardcore Championship. The segments of Holly getting chased at arcades, parks and everything in between to escape with the title became must-see television.
WWE even allowed the belt to become a prop since it was not going to be the title associated with main event pushes. WrestleMania 18 featured five Hardcore Championship title changes throughout the show to weave the story in various segments. Backstage moments became more noteworthy since the Hardcore Champion could be attacked in the background.
The comedic impact of the Hardcore Championship helped provide more entertainment value for WWE programs. No wrestler was ever safe as it led to unusual names like Terri Runnels, Mighty Molly, Gerald Brisco, and Pat Patterson all holding the gold. WWE truly made the Hardcore Championship fun as a title unlike any other in the company.
It Offered WWE The Perfect Variety
Wrestling is at its best when variety is part of the program. WWE had a loaded roster with top names in the Attitude Era since Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker were just some of the world title contenders. The tag division was also loaded with iconic duos and the mid-card picture thrived competing over the Intercontinental Championship.
Comedy, violence, and undercard depth were the important parts of the Hardcore Championship. WWE also used the belt when needed to have a bigger name get something going when The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, and Rob Van Dam had title reigns. However, it was best served as an undercard title to add the variety of a fun comedy skit with violent matches taking place.
Only the hardcore division could have created a scenario where Hardcore Holly and Al Snow wrestled in the Mississippi River. WWE knew that the audience would react positively to having something different for the depth rather than just another mid-card match. It helped countless wrestlers have roles on the show and greater importance than sitting at catering waiting for an opportunity.
The Attitude Era made wrestling feel unpredictable and the Hardcore Championship was at the forefront of keeping the audience on their toes. WWE witnessed record ratings and mainstream attention with every wrestler deserving credit, including the unsung heroes of the hardcore division.
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