The Invasion storyline centered around a concept that fans wanted to see explored for decades. WWE purchased WCW and decided to run the dream angle of both promotions feuding against each other. Shane McMahon purchased WCW in the storyline and looked to outmatch his father’s WWE run. The Invasion would see WCW and eventually ECW wrestlers working together to try to take down WWE. Despite the massive interest at the start, the Invasion was viewed as one of the worst storylines in company history.
We will look at both the best and worst memories from that time frame in 2001. The best moments fly under the radar as some good things did happen despite the overall disappointment. Meanwhile, fans often remember the worst moments due to the impact it had on the angle falling apart. Find out just which ones created a lasting memory with the five best and five worst moments from the Invasion.
10 Best: Steve Austin saving WWE
This outstanding segment on the Raw before the WWF Invasion PPV featured WWE wrestlers trying to get the “old” Stone Cold back. Steve Austin turned heel earlier in the year to become the best friend of Vince McMahon, but even Vince wanted the classic version of Austin to lead WWE.
The moment would see Austin drive to the venue and attack all the WCW/ECW wrestlers backstage on his way to the ring. Austin received one of the biggest pops of all time when entering the arena to hit countless Stone Cold Stunners on everyone in the ring as WWE stood tall.
9 Worst: Buff Bagwell vs Booker T match
WWE originally had plans of WCW becoming its own promotion with the two brands splitting to different shows. The test match on Raw shortly into the Invasion saw Booker T face off against Buff Bagwell for the WCW Championship.
Bagwell was never the best worker and it showed here with the crowd quickly turning on the match. To make matters worse, Steve Austin and Kurt Angle interfered in the match attacking both men before kicking them out of the venue in humiliating fashion. This disappointing match essentially ended the original plans of the storyline.
8 Best: ECW joining WCW
Fans were shocked when Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer debuted on Raw to attack WWE and WCW wrestlers. Various talents from both wrestlers came to the ring before fans realized they were all former ECW wrestlers joining the war together.
Paul Heyman entered the ring and revealed that his ECW stars would be the ones to make the biggest impact in the Invasion. The later reveal would see WCW and ECW unite to form The Alliance. However, the moment of ECW reforming to join the angle was a positive moment.
7 Worst: Kurt Angle joining The Alliance
One of the biggest flaws of the Invasion storyline was the number of WWE stars to jump ship and join The Alliance. WWE couldn’t sign most of the former WCW stars they wanted and decided to bolster the heel side by just having their own talent leave.
Kurt Angle joining The Alliance stood out as one of the worst moments. Fans fell in love with Angle as a face for the first time when he evolved into a leadership role to take on Steve Austin. WWE erased the biggest story of the Invasion by having Angle turn heel late into the storyline.
6 Best: Rob Van Dam's breakout performance
Many fans expected Booker T or Diamond Dallas Page to become the first major breakout star from an opposing promotion in the Invasion. Rob Van Dam was the one to achieve it by instantly becoming one of the most over wrestlers in the entire company.
A match with Jeff Hardy at the WWF Invasion PPV led to fans falling in love with RVD. The dazzling moves showcased a new innovative wrestler who the fan base was waiting for. Van Dam defeated Hardy to become the Hardcore Champion in an instant classic that stole the show.
5 Worst: Stephanie McMahon revealed as ECW owner
The same night that ECW became part of the Invasion storyline was the same night that WWE ruined it. Raw ended with WCW and ECW uniting along with a huge twist. Stephanie McMahon was revealed as the new owner of ECW joining her brother Shane who also owned WCW.
The Invasion angle essentially turned into a huge storyline for the McMahon family. Stephanie needed a new role after Triple H suffered an injury to remove him from television for the rest of the year. The decision to include her hurt the momentum ECW added to the story hours earlier.
4 Best: Paul Heyman's shoot promo on Vince McMahon
Paul Heyman joined Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon as the three minds in charge of The Alliance. One specific promo showcased the importance of Heyman, who managed to give the big winner take all match at Survivor Series a more important feel.
Heyman clearly tapped into a personal element with a worked shoot promo on the go-home episode of SmackDown before the PPV. The promo called out Vince McMahon for stealing ideas of the Attitude Era from ECW. Heyman delivered one of the best promos of his career before getting choked out by Tazz.
3 Worst: Diamond Dallas Page's reveal
One of the first huge WCW wrestlers to make his debut in WWE during the Invasion was Diamond Dallas Page. Weeks of mystery videos showcased someone stalking The Undertaker’s wife Sara.
Page was revealed as the man behind the heinous actions with the intention of being “made famous” by Undertaker. The fans popped huge seeing DDP, but the character prevented him from finding the same success he had in WCW. Page fell from a main eventer to the lower card by the end of the Invasion.
2 Best: The Milk Truck
Kurt Angle’s success as a face character gave WWE a new top hero after Steve Austin turned heel. Angle would add even more depth to his character by feuding with The Alliance. One specific segment created a moment fans still talk about to this day.
Angle interrupted an Appreciation Night for Austin by coming to the ringside area with a milk truck. The entire Alliance would get sprayed with a giant house of milk by Angle. Austin, Stephanie McMahon, and the rest of the heels were humiliated by Angle in an iconic moment.
1 Worst: Steve Austin joining The Alliance
Steve Austin’s incredible moment on the go-home episode of Raw ahead of WWF Invasion was erased just days later. The PPV featured Austin teaming with Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, and Kane against Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Rhyno, and The Dudley Boyz.
Austin turned on WWE late into the match by hitting a Stunner on Angle and giving Booker the pin. The show ended with Austin drinking beer with Stephanie, Shane, and Paul Heyman. Austin turning heel again felt like a waste of time as WCW and ECW were now led by a guy most known for being a WWE icon.