I actually fully believe this feud and time period is the start of the Attitude Era. Vince may not name it until a month after Montreal, Bret’s heel turn, exposing Vince as the owner, Austin becoming the face of the company and finally Raw being named Raw Is War feels like all the true pieces you needed to start the Attitude Era.
All take place in March of 1997. Right when they hit record low ratings for the time and chose to go in a new more attitude based direction and the rest is history.
For me when Bret comes back from his hiatus until SummerSlam, it's what I call Pre-Attitude. Because there were just no *real* faces or heels.
Bret was a face who bitched all the time until he turned heel. And then was face outside America.
Austin was someone who was a wild card and just did what he wanted.
Shawn was a prick and a needling fuck.
Sid was supposed to be a heel but was fucking awesome.
Taker was the only real face here.
Vader was the only real heel here.