#FiftyMatches: The End Of The Invasion

Team WWF (The Rock, Chris Jericho, Undertaker, Kane, Big Show) v. The Alliance ("Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Shane McMahon)

"Winner Takes All"

Survivor Series 2001
November 18, 2001

"The stakes have never been higher in the history of this business." -Jim Ross

On Friday, March 23, 2001, the unthinkable occurred. The World Wrestling Federation purchased World Championship Wrestling. It was the end of a decades-long, and deeply personal, rivalry.

Three days later, on Monday, March 26, 2001, the purchase was revealed to the world. It was perhaps the most mind-blowing moment in the history of professional wrestling.

#FiftyMatches: The Summer Of Austin And Angle

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin v. Kurt Angle

WWF Championship

SummerSlam 2001
August 19, 2001

"Austin must be thinking, 'What in the hell must I do to beat this man?'" -Jim Ross

For all its faults, The Invasion story line did do some good. Perhaps no one benefited more from it than Kurt Angle. After injury put Triple H out of action, it was Angle who was chosen to fill the opening as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's partner in crime. In the summer of 2001, Kurt Angle's star was on the rise like never before in the World Wrestling Federation. Before it was over, his position as a career main event performer would be secure.

#FiftyMatches: One Injury Changes Everything

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin & Triple H v.
Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit

WWF Tag Team Championship

Monday Night Raw
May 21, 2001

"The entire building is shaking! This is the greatest chance in the lives of Benoit and Jericho!" -Paul Heyman

At the time, no one could have imagined that the days of dominance for the World Wrestling Federation were coming to an end. The company was still settling into the comfortable new reality of having an industry all to itself. World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling went out of business within weeks of one another. It almost felt like the WWF had planned all along to celebrate its final victory by putting on one of the most successful and well-received pay per views in history. After WrestleMania X-7, the WWF gleefully chugged onward. Alone.