WWF Invasion

Infobox wrestling event
name=Invasion


theme="The Fight Song" (Marilyn Manson) [cite web |url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfother.htm |title=Wrestling Information Archive - Other WWF Information |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]
promotion=World Wrestling Federation
date=July 22 2001cite web |url=http://pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/july/2001.htm WWF vs WCW Invasion 2001 |title=WWF vs WCW Invasion 2001 |publisher=pWw |accessdate=2008-04-27 ]
venue=Gund Arena
city=Cleveland, Ohio
attendance=17,964
lastevent=King of the Ring (2001)
nextevent=SummerSlam (2001)

Invasion (also typeset as InVasion) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It took place on July 22 2001 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Invasion was the first pay-per-view to feature the ongoing Invasion storyline, which featured wrestlers from the WWF taking on a combined force of wrestlers from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), later known as The Alliance. The event featured WWF wrestlers facing WCW and ECW wrestlers. The main event, dubbed the "Inaugural Brawl," was a five-on-five tag team match between Team WWF and Team WCW/ECW.cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jul23_invasion-can.html |title=Austin turns at Invasion |first=John |last=Powell |date=2001-07-23 |publisher=SLAM! Sports |accessdate=2008-04-27 ] cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31024/411s-WWF-InVasion-Report-7.22.01.htm |title=411's WWF InVasion Report 7.22.01 |date=2001-07-22 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]

Background

On March 23, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) bought out its long-time rival, World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The last episode of "WCW Monday Nitro" aired on March 26, dubbed the "Night of Champions". "Nitro" started with WWF Owner Vince McMahon announcing a simulcast with "WWF Raw is War" later that night to address the future of WCW, during which it was revealed that Shane McMahon had bought WCW.cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31087/411s-WCW-Monday-Nitro-Report-3.26.01.htm |title=411's WCW Monday Nitro Report 3.26.01 |date=2001-03-26 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] During May and June, WCW wrestlers interfered in matches on WWF programming. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30233/411s-WWF-Raw-Is-War-Report-5.28.01.htm |title=411's WWF Raw Is War Report 5.28.01 |first=Sean |last=McCluskey |date=2001-05-28 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] At the 2001 King of the Ring, Booker T interfered during a Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship and suplexed Steve Austin through the announcers table, nearly costing him the title. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31023/411s-WWF-King-Of-The-Ring-Report-6.25.01.htm |title=411's WWF King Of The Ring Report 6.25.01 |date=2001-06-25 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]

On the following night, the June 25 edition of "Raw is War", Shane declared his intention to invade the WWF, and the Invasion storyline started with Booker T performing a scissors kick to Vince. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30237/411s-WWF-Raw-Is-War-Report-6.25.01.htm |title=411's WWF Raw Is War Report 6.25.01 |date=2001-06-25 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] On the June 28 edition of "WWF SmackDown!", it was decided that Fully Loaded was to be changed to Invasion, and would feature matches between WWF and WCW. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30298/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-6.28.01.htm |title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 6.28.01 |date=2001-06-28 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] On the July 9 edition of "Raw is War", Paul Heyman declared that Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) has joined the invasion, and some WWF and WCW wrestlers defected to ECW. Shane appeared to co-operate with Vince against ECW, but later that night, it was revealed that WCW and ECW have merged, and that Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley now owned ECW. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30239/411s-WWF-Raw-Is-War-Report-7.09.01.htm |title=411's WWF Raw Is War Report 7.09.01 |date=2001-07-09 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]

Earlier in the year, Austin had a change in character, becoming more emotional, and friendly with Vince. On the June 12 edition of "SmackDown!", Vince said he needed the "old" Austin, an anti-hero tough character, to lead the WWF at Invasion. After Vince pleaded with him, Austin shook his head and left. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30300/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-7.12.01.htm |title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 7.12.01 |first=Sean |last=McCluskey |date=2001-07-12 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] During the June 16 edition of "Raw is War", Austin was later shown drinking in a bar. Later that night, a fight started between many WWF wrestlers, and WCW and ECW wrestlers. As WWF seemed to be disadvantaged, Austin arrived, and returned to his old character, fighting off the WCW and ECW wrestlers. The WWF wrestlers cleaned out the ring, and were left standing tall. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30240/411s-WWF-Raw-Is-War-Report-7.16.01.htm |title=411's WWF Raw Is War Report 7.16.01 |date=2001-07-16 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]

Event

Before the event officially began, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. (WCW) defeated Scotty 2 Hotty (WWF) in a match taped for "Sunday Night HEAT".cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30259/411s-WWF-Sunday-Night-Heat-Report-7.22.01.htm |title=411's WWF Sunday Night Heat Report 7.22.01 |date=2001-07-22 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] The first match of the event was between Lance Storm and Mike Awesome (ECW), and Edge and Christian (WWF). The match went back and forth until Awesome attempted a cheap shot at Edge from the apron. Edge avoided it, performed a dropkick, and sent Storm on top of him with a back body drop. Christian then leaped off Edge over the top rope onto Storm and Awesome. As Christian was on the top turnbuckle, Awesome tripped Christian, and attacked his back outside. Back in the ring, Storm and Awesome dominated Christian after Storm threw Christian's gut into the ringpost. Christian fought back with a crossbody, but Awesome tagged in, and performed a flapjack spinebuster. Storm and Awesome dominated Christian until Christian performed a back body drop to Awesome from the top rope. Edge and Storm tagged in, and Edge performed an Edge-O-Matic to Storm. Storm performed a jawbreaker, and attempted a double belly to back suplex with Awesome. Edge landed on his feet, and Christian performed a flying clothesline to both Storm and Awesome. Edge performed a spear to Awesome. Storm attempted a superkick to Christian, but Edge shoved Christian, and took the kick himself. As Awesome held Edge in a crucifix, Christian performed a spear to Awesome. Edge landed on top of Awesome, and pinned him for the victory.

The second match was between WCW Senior Referee Nick Patrick and WWF Senior Referee Earl Hebner with Mick Foley as the special guest referee. Other WCW and WWF referees accompanied them to the ring. The match started with Hebner delivering kicks in the corner, followed by punches, and knee drops to the midsection, but Patrick pulled Hebner outside. Back in the ring, Patrick stomped Hebner, but Hebner fought back with punches, and mounted punches. Patrick fought back by performed a low blow, and sent Hebner outside with a baseball slide. WCW referees stomped Hebner until Foley stopped them, and ejected them from ringside. Back in the ring, Patrick complained to Foley, allowing Hebner to perform a flying shoulder block, and pin Patrick for the victory. After the match, Patrick argued with Foley. Foley punched him, and applied the mandible claw.

The third match was between the APA (Faarooq and Bradshaw) (WWF), and Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo (WCW). The teams were the tag team champions of their promotions. The match began with the APA performing a double spinebuster to Palumbo. Bradshaw had the advantage over Palumbo, then O'Haire. After Faarooq tagged in, O'Haire countered a belly to back suplex attempt, and performed a knee lift. Palumbo tagged in, and Faarooq performed a flying shoulder block. Bradshaw then tagged in, and performed a fallaway slam to Palumbo. O'Haire then kicked Bradshaw in the head, and performed a Widow Maker. Palumbo tagged in, and Bradshaw fought back with a DDT. After Faarooq tagged in, O'Haire pulled him out of the ring, and sent him into the ringsteps. They dominated Faarooq until Faarooq fought back with a spinebuster. Bradshaw and Palumbo tagged in, and Bradshaw performed a big boot, and a powerslam. As Bradshaw attempted a fallaway slam, O'Haire performed a superkick, and dropped Bradshaw onto the top turnbuckle. After Faarooq sent O'Haire outside, Palumbo performed a superkick to Faarooq, and Bradshaw pinned Palumbo after performing a Clothesline from Hell.

The fourth match was between the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac and the WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman. The match started back and forth until Kidman performed a hurricanrana, and an enzuigiri. X-Pac fought back after sending Kidman over the top rope, and performed a springboard reverse crossbody to the outside. Back in the ring, X-Pac applied the sleeper hold. Kidman escaped, and applied the sleeper hold, but X-Pac countered with a belly to back suplex. X-Pac went to the top rope, and performed a somersault legdrop, but Kidman avoided it. Kidman performed a B.K. Bomb, and mounted punches, which X-Pac countered with a powerbomb. X-Pac attempted another powerbomb, but Kidman reversed it into a sitout facebuster. X-Pac then countered an aerial attack with an X-Factor. As he attempted a Bronco buster, Kidman lifted his leg, performing a low blow. Kidman then pinned X-Pac after a shooting star press.

The fifth match was between Raven (ECW) and William Regal (WWF). Regal gained the early advantage following a double underhook suplex, and a catapult, sending Raven outside. Back in the ring, Raven tossed Regal over top rope, and performed a baseball slide, and a Russian legsweep into the security wall. Back in the ring, Raven performed a diving punch to Regal's forehead. Regal countered another attempt, and performed a knee lift. Raven fought back with a corner clothesline, and a running bulldog. Regal fought back, countering a Raven Effect DDT into a Northern Lights suplex. After both collided, Raven rolled out of the ring, as Tazz came down. As the referee checked on Raven, Tazz performed a T-Bone suplex to Regal. Tazz left, and Raven pinned Regal after performing a Raven Effect DDT.

The sixth match was between The Big Show, Billy Gunn (WWF) and Albert, and Chris Kanyon, Shawn Stasiak and Hugh Morrus (WCW). Before the match began, the WWF wrestlers gorilla pressed the WCW wrestlers. The match started with Kanyon attacking Gunn in the corner. Gunn performed an electric chair drop, but Stasiak hit a cheap shot, and Kanyon performed a Russian legsweep followed by a forward Russian legsweep. Stasiak tagged in, and Gunn performed a neckbreaker slam. After Albert tagged in, Kanyon and Morrus entered the ring, but Gunn and The Big Show threw them out. Albert performed a bicycle kick, and a Baldo Bomb to Stasiak. Morrus and Kanyon attacked Albert, and Morrus performed a DDT. Morrus tagged in, and Albert performed a powerslam before tagging in Gunn. Gunn performed a Fameasser to Morrus, and attempted the One and Only. Stasiak attacked him from behind, performing an inverted DDT, and Morrus pinned him for the victory. After the match, The Big Show performed chokeslams to Morrus and Stasiak, and an Alley Oop to Kanyon.

The seventh match was between Tazz (ECW) and Tajiri (WWF). The match started with Tajiri performing a spinning heel kick, and a standing moonsault. Tazz fought back with a head and arm suplex. Tajiri then escaped a suplex attempt, and performed kicks and punches. Tazz fought back with a clothesline. After Tazz applied a cross armbar, and performed a flapjack spinebuster, Tajiri fought back with a handspring back elbow. Tazz then pulled Tajiri off the apron, and sent him into the ringsteps. Back in the ring, Tajiri applied the Tarantula, and dropkicked Tazz, who was kneeling. Tazz then blocked a kick, and performed a capture suplex. He then shoved the referee out of the way, allowing Tajiri to spit green mist into Tazz's face, and pin him after a Buzzsaw Kick.

The eighth match was between Rob Van Dam (RVD) (ECW) and Jeff Hardy (WWF) for the WWF Hardcore Championship. Before the match began, RVD attacked Matt Hardy from behind with a steel chair. The match started back and forth with a quick pace. Hardy gained the advantage after a dropkick to the back. After Hardy missed a crossbody, RVD performed a standing moonsault, a lifting double underhook facebuster, and a rolling thunder. RVD then climbed the turnbuckles, but Hardy shoved him outside. Outside, Hardy walked the barricade, but RVD sent him into the crowd. After a moonsault from the barricade, Hardy was placed over the barricade, and RVD performed a spinning heel kick off the apron. Hardy fought back with a sunset flip powerbomb from the apron, took out a ladder, and climbed it. However, RVD tipped the ladder, causing Hardy to fall. RVD attempted to use a chair, but Hardy used the ladder. After Hardy hit RVD with the chair, RVD came back with a Van Daminator, sending Hardy off the stage. Back in the ring, RVD performed a Chair Surf, and attempted a split-legged moonsault, but Hardy blocked it with his knees. Hardy followed with a DDT, a German suplex, and a sitout jawbreaker. RVD then avoided a Swanton Bomb, placed the title belt on Hardy, and performed a Five-Star Frog Splash. RVD then pinned Hardy to win the title.

The ninth match was a Bra and Panties match between Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler, and Trish Stratus and Lita with Mick Foley as the special guest referee. The match started with Lita and Stratus taking down Keibler and Wilson. Wilson dropkicked Stratus' back, and kicked her in the corner. Stratus fought back with a clothesline, and attempted to remove Wilson's shirt after a suplex. Keibler stopped her, and they attempted to double team, but Stratus performed a double clothesline. Lita tagged in, knocked Wilson off the apron, and removed Keibler's shirt after pulling her in. Keibler went outside the ring, and Lita chased after her. This allowed Wilson to stomp on Lita, and Keibler removed her shirt. Lita fought back with a snapmare, and attempted a diving crossbody. Wilson and Stratus tagged in, and performed a clothesline. Wilson fought back, and pulled Stratus up while stepping on her hair. She pulled down her top, but Stratus performed a roll-up, and removed Wilson's pants. Lita and Stratus then performed a Poetry in Motion, with Lita performing an aided clothesline to Wilson, before removing Wilson's shirt. Stratus then performed a bulldog to Keibler, and Lita performed a Litasault. They then removed Keibler's pants to win the match.

The main event was the "Inaugural Brawl", a ten-man tag team match between the Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), Rhyno, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page (Team WCW/ECW), and The Undertaker, Kane, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle and Steve Austin (Team WWF). WCW Owner Shane McMahon, ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, ECW General Manager Paul Heyman, and WWF Owner Vince McMahon were at ringside. The Undertaker attacked Page during his entrance, and all wrestlers fought at ringside. The match began with Team WWF having the advantage as Austin dominated Rhyno. Team WCW/ECW gained the advantage after Page performed a hangman to The Undertaker. Team WCW/ECW dominated The Undertaker until he performed a DDT. Team WWF kept the advantage until Booker performed a flapjack to Jericho with help from D-Von. Jericho fought back, knocking down the Dudley Boyz, and tagged in Angle. Angle fought the Dudley Boyz until Bubba Ray performed a Bubba Bomb. Angle was dominated by Team WCW/ECW until The Undertaker came in illegally, and attacked Page.

All wrestlers entered the ring, and fought. The Undertaker fought with Page, and, after performed a chokeslam, they fought into the crowd. Austin was down holding his knee as Booker and Angle were lying in the ring. On the outside, Kane was double-teamed by the Dudley Boyz. Kane eventually fought back, performing a chokeslam to D-Von through the announce table. Bubba Ray and Rhyno then sent Kane through the other announce table with a double suplex. Jericho then sent Rhyno through a table with a shoulder block from the apron. In the ring, Bubba Ray and Booker double-teamed Angle until Angle fought back, performing a German suplex to Booker, and an Angle Slam to Bubba Ray. Angle attempted to apply the ankle lock on Booker, but Booker kicked him into the referee. Booker then performed a flapjack, and all three were down. Vince got the WWF Championship belt, and attempted to throw it to Angle. Shane took it, and hit Vince with it. Shane failed to hit Angle, and Angle threw both Shane and Bubba Ray out of the ring. Angle performed an Angle Slam on Booker, and applied the ankle lock. After sending the referee back in the ring, Austin turned on Team WWF by performing a Stone Cold Stunner to Angle. Booker then pinned Angle to win the match for Team WCW/ECW. After the match, Austin celebrated with Shane, Stephanie and Heyman.

Aftermath

After Invasion, the Invasion storyline continued. The following night on "Raw is War", Steve Austin explained his defection was because he felt unappreciated. WCW/ECW, now referred to as The Alliance, had the momentum, holding the WWF Championship, the WWF Intercontinental Championship, and the WWF Hardcore Championship in addition to all of WCW's titles. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30241/411s-WWF-Raw-Is-War-Report-7.23.01.htm |title=411's WWF Raw Is War Report 7.23.01 |date=2001-07-23 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] The feud soon centered around the return of The Rock, and which team he would join, as both Vince and Shane both attempted to persuade The Rock to join their team. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31188/The-SmarK-RAW-Rant---July-30---2001.htm |title=The SmarK RAW Rant - July 30 / 2001 |first=Scott |last=Keith |date=2001-07-30 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ] The Rock joined the WWF, and engaged in a feud with Booker T over the WCW Championship. Austin would begin a feud with Kurt Angle over the WWF Championship after the occurrences at Invasion. [cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31025/411s-WWF-Summerslam-Report-8.19.01.htm |title=411's WWF Summerslam Report 8.19.01 |date=2001-08-19 |publisher=411mania |accessdate=2008-04-28 ]

Results

ee also

*The Invasion (professional wrestling)

References