Less axis tilt is the predominant change from the old days to today.  Weber's "A" game utilizes 90 degrees of axis rotation, but his axis tilt is very low. He can also go up the back of the ball but even here, his tilt remains low. Aside from lower axis tilt,
today's conditions do favor more forward roll, especially on fresh, flatter patterns.


 

Petes extreme axis rotation ( not remotely close to a spinner ) has been his strength and weakness over the years.  When he has a look with that release he can separate himself because just about nobody else has that roll.  I have seen just as many times where didn't match up and he couldn't compete.  I think that is why he has worked to come more off the back of the ball. 

Pete honed his game as a teen on the shorter patterns that predominated through the 80's ( the so called crank to the bank era ).