WrestleMania 17 marked the end of the “Attitude Era,” while Survivor Series 2001 could be viewed as the final chapter of the spin-off series that often emerge from popular shows. This event wrapped up the Invasion storyline—a tale many fans consider a significant missed opportunity in wrestling history. While certain circumstances, like wrestlers being sidelined due to their Time Warner contracts, were beyond WWE’s control, there was still a chance for a more compelling execution of the long-awaited WCW/ECW Invasion. The storytelling that captivated audiences in the late ’90s and early 2000s didn’t necessarily require Vince McMahon’s shadow looming over every major conflict.
By late 2001, both Vince and the fans were weary of the Alliance’s attempts to undermine WWE. As a result, a classic Survivor Series tag team match was set up, featuring two squads of five with elimination rules: the winning team would continue, while the defeated team would fade away. With the road to WrestleMania 18 already charted, fans had a good idea of the outcome heading into the match, yet it didn’t diminish its excitement.
Team WWE included The Rock, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and The Big Show, while The Alliance comprised Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and then-WCW owner Shane McMahon. Shane displayed standout performance by smartly intervening to break pinfall attempts, making his eventual elimination all the more compelling. The pacing of eliminations was fast, with RVD taking out Kane, Jericho defeating RVD after executing a Stroke, and all the Alliance members joining forces to eliminate Big Show.
Ultimately, this match served as an encore for Rock and Austin, who had previously electrified audiences at WrestleMania 17. Austin had transformed into a more erratic heel, contrasting with his gradual shift in the earlier matches, while The Rock thrived in the final moments with the crowd wholly supporting him. Although Kurt Angle helped secure the finish, it was The Rock who celebrated the victory. Matches like this remind me of the excitement of traditional Survivor Series contests—when executed well, they can truly shine. With the Alliance’s demise in Greensboro, a city known for WCW roots, Vince had to reaffirm his dominance in the wrestling landscape.
Fan Take: This concluding chapter of the Invasion storyline serves as a reminder of both the potential and pitfalls of wrestling storytelling, emphasizing how crucial well-executed narratives are to fan engagement. Wrestling fans always seek compelling rivalries and story arcs, making the success or failure of such angles pivotal for the future of the sport.
