One significant factor that hindered the Invasion storyline from realizing its full potential was the lucrative contracts that many top WCW stars held following Time Warner’s acquisition. These wrestlers faced a choice: either risk getting their contracts bought out to join the invasion, as DDP and Booker T did, or remain at home earning money while doing nothing. Unsurprisingly, most opted to stay home, with Jeff Jarrett labeling the summer of 2001 as "the summer of no worries."
By late 2001 and early 2002, many of those contracts had lapsed, and for those still bound, the prospect of WWE reshaping its product to align with WCW and ECW narratives would have been enticing. Sting, for example, famously distanced himself from the invasion after witnessing The Rock disparage Booker T on WWE Smackdown, questioning what Booker might do in that situation. Interestingly, WCW and ECW winning at Survivor Series may have influenced Sting’s decision to ultimately join WWE, along with others.
In reality, the original New World Order—comprising Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash—joined WWE in February 2002. However, if The Alliance had triumphed in the war, the nWo would have likely debuted much earlier and been integral to the storyline. By the end of 2002, Eric Bischoff, Rey Mysterio, and Scott Steiner were all with WWE, and they could have easily made their presence felt sooner had their contracts been deemed attractive post-Survivor Series.
Goldberg’s situation was more complex due to a longer contract with Time Warner. Even if The Alliance had opted out of participation while in a favorable position, the chance to make significant earnings from the biggest storyline in wrestling history could have been too tempting. Meanwhile, ECW alumni like Sabu, Sandman, and Steve Corino may not have been priorities, but they could have benefited financially from an Alliance victory, especially considering fans’ greater interest in the nWo.
Fan Take: The potential shifts in wrestling history stemming from the Invasion storyline reveal how pivotal contract negotiations and talent decisions are to the industry. For wrestling fans, understanding these dynamics reminds us of the "what ifs" that could have transformed not just rivalries, but the very landscape of wrestling as we know it today.
