The World Wrestling Federation is the oldest and most storied professional wrestling organization in the United States. Founded in 1963 by Vincent J. McMahon as the World Wide Wrestling Federation, the company was transformed into a national — and then global — phenomenon when his son Vince McMahon Jr. took over in 1982.

Through the 1980s, the WWF dominated the industry. WrestleMania, launched in 1985, became the biggest annual event in wrestling history. Stars like Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage made the WWF a mainstream cultural force. By the early 1990s, the company branded itself the home of the "New Generation" — pushing younger talent like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, and Diesel to the forefront.

But 1994–1996 brought trouble. A steroid scandal cost the company millions and forced budget cuts. Key stars like Razor Ramon, Diesel, and Randy Savage defected to Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling. WCW launched Monday Nitro in September 1995 to go head-to-head with RAW — and by mid-1996, with the formation of the New World Order, WCW had taken the ratings lead.

In 1997, the WWF stands at a crossroads. The New Generation era is ending. WrestleMania 13 was a statement — the double turn between Bret Hart and Steve Austin signals a company willing to take risks and embrace a darker, edgier product. The Attitude Era is not here yet. But the seeds are being planted.

The WWF is fighting back. And business is about to pick up.