Example: O.J Simpson
He was a symbol of where the 90s were and how big his court case was at the time. Not that he should garner sympathy because we all know he did it and he only got off on technicality as well as theater performed by his council. But we all know where we were when that was all happening.
This one will make it sound like I’m a fan — I’m not — but I was a kid when Owen Hart entered the WWF and an adult when he died in the ring.
Wrestling had already lost its shine and appeal to me, early in the 90s. The characters, storylines, and action bled fake. And, as I grew up, I came to understand it was no different than any other staged play, entertainment, or storytelling. What really bothered me wasn’t the fake drama, or the dumbing down of storytelling. It was serial betrayal, shameless advantage-taking, and the smooth-brained jingoism of it all. It became the refuge of every shameless American impulse.
Then Owen Hart died on camera. There was a brief reality check. Then, on with the show. The change, though was an acceptance that real death was no reason to stop, slow, or change directions on the machine. If anything, the show, the drama, the merch, and the culture became the basis for an entire political bloc.
Lest we forget: Linda McMahon is now Secretary of Education. Hard to think of a person worse than Betsy DeVos, but here we are.