Matt Hardy isnt sugarcoating how brutal WWEs Attitude Era really wasespecially for young talent trying to prove themselves.
During a conversation with Sam Roberts, Matt looked back on the now-iconic Royal Rumble 2000 Tables Match against the Dudley Boyz and admitted that protecting yourself during unprotected chair shots wasnt just discouragedit could get you reprimanded.
Matt explained that in that era, being seen as tough meant taking chair shots straight to the head without flinching. Putting your hands up? That was a one-way ticket to locker room insults and disrespect.
Looking back, Matt cant believe how normalized those dangerous chair shots were, especially considering the long-term risks. But at the time, protecting yourself wasnt even an option if you wanted to earn respect.
Matt also revealed that their Royal Rumble 2000 match had so many unprotected shots, WWE management actually cut minutes from the bout to limit the violence. Instead of scrapping key spots, Matt, Jeff, and the Dudleys decided to sprint through the entire match to keep everything in, making the chaos look even more intense.
The Attitude Era created unforgettable momentsbut as Matts story shows, it also came with dangerous locker room expectations that young wrestlers had no choice but to follow.
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Whats your takewas the Attitude Era worth the risks? Or did wrestlings culture go too far back then? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
