The New Generation was an underrated time in the history of WWE. Fans remember other periods like the Attitude Era, Golden Era, and Ruthless Aggression Era more fondly, but the New Generation was pivotal in changing the landscape. Names like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Ultimate Warrior were done, leading to the company being forced to build new stars.
We will look at the top ten stars from the era and what they’re up to these days. Some of them are still performing in the ring while others have transitioned into new wrestling careers. A few have left the wrestling business altogether later in their careers. All these talents played a role in the WWE product changing in the early '90s for the better to help set the stage for the Attitude Era. These are the top ten biggest stars of the New Generation era wrestlers along with where they are now.
10 Goldust: AEW
WWE signed Dustin Rhodes away from WCW as a major addition to the roster needing new talents. Dustin was given the fascinating character of Goldust, meant to push the envelope and give him a new chance at making a new name in the industry.
The work of Rhodes would see him get to play the Goldust gimmick for over two decades. Dustin left WWE earlier this year to join his brother Cody Rhodes in All Elite Wrestling. The loss of the Goldust name still has Dustin popular as his work won over fans more than just the gimmick.
9 Sean Waltman: Podcaster
Sean Waltman was known for his time as 123 Kid in the New Generation Era, but fans recognize him most for the X-Pac name. The run of the 123 Kid allowed WWE to tell the underdog story at a new level when he defeated Razor Ramon.
WWE pushed 123 Kid as one of the more exciting mid-carders with memorable matches against Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in the main event picture. Waltman is still involved in the wrestling business as a podcast host today along with occasional indie matches or seminars.
8 Sycho Sid: Retired
WWE pushed Sycho Sid as one of the main eventers of the New Generation Era. Sid would win the WWE Championship on a couple of occasions defeating Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. Vince McMahon loved the look and size of Sid enough to make him such a vital part of the show.
Fans eventually grew tired of Sid and he left WWE quietly once his time at the top ended. Sid has unofficially retired from wrestling and lives a quiet life in Arkansas. Various appearances from Sid have seen him cancel indie wrestling bookings and even cancel a WWE appearance at Raw Reunion.
7 Jeff Jarrett: WWE producer
Jeff Jarrett moved back and forth between WWE and WCW throughout the '90s. The role of Jarrett had made him a top mid-carder for most of the time in WWE. Jarrett had a strong run as the Intercontinental Champion with memorable feuds against Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, and others.
The career of Jarrett would see him become a main eventer in the end of WCW before he started TNA Wrestling as a new company. Jarrett had a negative ending to his '90s WWE run, but he made peace to return. The current role today has him as a producer backstage helping put together matches with the talent.
6 Mankind: Retired
Mick Foley was one of the hires from WWE during the New Generation Era as Jim Ross vouched for him. The impressive work of Foley in his first feud with The Undertaker would see him instantly get over as a unique heel that fans wanted to see.
Foley went on to have one of the most successful careers in WWE history. Retirement would see Foley continue having a presence in wrestling with the occasional return to WWE, live touring shows discussing his career and autograph conventions.
5 The Undertaker: Part-time wrestler
The Undertaker is one of the few New Generation Era wrestlers that has yet to retire from the ring. WWE started to transition Undertaker into a main event fixture after the other big names left the company and younger talents were called to step up.
The work of Undertaker saw him work with established main eventers in between working with newer talents getting the chance to get over. Vince McMahon viewed Undertaker as his most loyal wrestler leading to a close relationship forming. Undertaker still wrestles a handful of matches per year for WWE.
4 Scott Hall: Retired
Scott Hall broke out in the New Generation Era as the Razor Ramon character. Fans loved the incredible work of Ramon as he often dominated the Intercontinental Championship picture. The first-ever WWE ladder match between Razor and Shawn Michaels played a huge role in the company’s shift.
Hall dealt with personal demons for many years that ultimately cut his career shorter than expected. Diamond Dallas Page stepped in with his DDP Yoga program helping Hall change his life around. Hall is still retired with no matches in 9 years, but he makes appearances for WWE any time they call upon him.
3 Kevin Nash: Semi-retired
The status of Kevin Nash has him still taking bookings despite being on limited time in the ring. Nash played Diesel in the New Generation for WWE as one of the company’s new breakout stars. The WWE Championship win of Diesel cemented Nash as a top star.
Nash only would raise his profile when joining WCW to find more fame as a top member of the New World Order. Despite injuries and the aging process slowing him down, Nash has wrestled as recently as late 2018. Recent surgeries could see him return to the ring even though his active days are long behind him. Much like Hall, Nash has a great relationship with WWE today.
2 Shawn Michaels: WWE PC Coach
Shawn Michaels was one of the wrestlers that most used the New Generation Era to skyrocket into the main event picture. Following the end of The Rockers tag team, Michaels received a chance as a singles star. The change in WWE philosophy finally gave him a chance in the mid-90s as a smaller wrestler.
Michaels hit home run after home run when placed in the main event picture. His WWE Championship reigns featured classic matches against Bret Hart, Diesel, and Mankind. Michaels retired from the ring in 2010, but he now works for WWE as a top coach at the Performance Center. NXT also sees Michaels’ help as a producer during show days.
1 Bret Hart: Retired/Runs loan business
Bret Hart was the face of the New Generation Era when Hulk Hogan left in 1993. The hard work and likable nature of Hart won over both Vince McMahon and the fan base. WWE picked Bret over Lex Luger when they had to pick a face to win the WWE Championship from Yokozuna at WrestleMania 10.
Incredible matches from Hart helped move the industry forward proving you didn’t need a physique like Hogan or Ultimate Warrior to thrive. Bret became a legend during this time in WWE. The current life of Hart has him long retired from the ring and running a loan service business with his family.