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So, here we are. The final part of my rebooked Invasion series. You can see part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, and part 8 here.
As stated before, the Invasion should have been the greatest storyline in wrestling history. The WWF had the money at their disposal to stack their roster with WCW's biggest names in 2001. The Time Warner contracts that the likes of Sting and Goldberg were signed to had release clauses that the WWF would have only had to pay part of to acquire the services of the WCW main event crew.
The cost of these buyouts would have been made back many, many times over had these stars signed on. It's obvious to see, that the WWF's heart was never really in the Invasion angle after the planned relaunch of WCW was denied by United States networks who did not want associating with a bankrupt brand.
I have enjoyed re-booking the Invasion storyline and hope that it has given fans a flavour of what could have been achieved had the will from the WWF's booking team been there. In truth, the angle could have run successfully for years if done correctly.
However, my concluding part is tied in with WrestleMania X-8. My version will be booked around the dream match that did happen, Hulk Hogan vs The Rock and two that didn't but should have, Sting vs The Undertaker and Stone Cold vs Goldberg.
Wrestlemania X-8 pulled an impressive 840,000 buys but should have drawn well over a million had the card promoted that triple main event. I resisted the temptation to book Stone Cold vs Hulk Hogan, as due to Austin's dislike of Hogan, it would never have happened in singles competition under any circumstances.
Champion roll call (as of February 17, 2002)
Undisputed Champion - Chris Jericho
IC Champion - Shawn Michaels
Hardcore Champion - The Undertaker
WWF Tag Team Champions - Billy & Chuck
US Champion - Raven
Cruiserweight Champion - Rey Mysterio
Women's Champion - Jazz
The road to WrestleMania is now firmly underway as we build to Wrestlemania X-8.
So, without any further delay, let's get to the post-No Way Out Raw!
Monday Night Raw - February 18, 2002
Hulk Hogan entered the ring and trashed the fans and stated that despite everything he had done for the business he still got zero respect. He was interrupted by The Rock who called out Hogan's hypocrisy and challenged him to a match at Wrestlemania. Hogan accepted and Rock laid him out with a Rock Bottom.
The Undertaker destroyed Raven and post-match whined that he should be the Undisputed Champion as no one else in the company is in his league. He challenged anyone to prove him wrong. The lights went out and a spotlight found Sting, looking down from the rafters. Undertaker was not amused.
Chris Jericho was pinned by Shawn Michaels in a non-title bout when Triple H interfered. Triple H told Jericho he would see him at WrestleMania. Stone Cold spilled beer on Goldberg backstage. Goldberg grinned and said he was pleased Austin did that. Rob Van Dam challenged Michaels to a title match on Smackdown. Kurt Angle bested DDP in the main event.
Smackdown - February 21, 2002
Lita challenged Jazz to a Women's title match on Raw. Jazz accepted as long as she could name the stipulation. Lita agreed to the terms. Goldberg defeated Kurt Angle. Post-match he said Stone Cold was next.
Rey Mysterio defended the Cruiserweight title versus Billy Kidman. Vince McMahon announced that a Battle Royal would occur on Raw to determine the number one contender to the Cruiserweight belt.
In the main event, Rob Van Dam defeated Shawn Michaels to win the IC title after Scott Hall interfered. RVD & Michaels fought off the nWo post-match.
Monday Night Raw - February 25, 2002
Stone Cold said he heard a piece of trash called Goldberg was challenging him to a match. He said anytime, anywhere he would beat Goldberg up but tonight was his night off and he would be drinking in a bar. If Goldberg wanted some, then he knew where to find him.
Kurt Angle defeated X-Pac and was laid out by Big Show post-match.
Kane challenged Big Show to a match in the main event.
Lita defeated Jazz in a non-title Strap Match.
"La Parka" won the Open Invitational Cruiserweight Battle Royal. Post match, he unmasked to reveal road agent, Dean Malenko. Malenko denounced the WWF and said his blood ran WCW. Rey Mysterio stationed at ringside was shocked.
Goldberg assaulted Stone Cold in the bar. When Austin got the upper hand, the nWO emerged from the back room and laid Austin out.
Kane defeated Bigshow. The nWO assaulted Kane post match. Kurt Angle made the save.
Smackdown - February 28, 2002
Dean Malenko told Rey Mysterio he was a turncoat for representing the WWF when he, Mysterio and Chris Jericho made the Cruiserweight Title what it is in WCW. He said he will bring the title back home at Wrestlemania.
Vince McMahon told Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon to be at next week's Raw as he had a proposal for them.
Kurt Angle and Kane challenged X-Pac and Bigshow to a bout at Wrestlemania.
Chris Jericho assaulted Shawn Michaels backstage. Triple H was incensed.
Trish Stratus beat Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler in a Handicap Match. She challenged Jazz to a Women's Title bout. Lita emerged and said she beat Jazz on Raw and if anyone deserved a shot it was her. Vince emerged and said they both could have an opportunity and made a Triple Threat Match for Wrestlemania.
Goldberg smashed and pinned Raven. He took the microphone and told Stone Cold to expect the same treatment at Wrestlemania.
Monday Night Raw - March 4, 2002
Scott Steiner defeated The Undertaker to win the Hardcore Title after Sting distracted 'Taker by appearing in the rafters. The Deadman was irate.
Stone Cold and Goldberg met face to face. Goldberg said that Austin had been threatened by him since day one. Austin said Goldberg was a cheap "Stone Cold rip-off" and he would soon find out why they call him the "World's toughest SOB."
Vince McMahon called Shane McMahon and Eric Bischoff to the ring. He said he had had enough of this "Invasion BS" and at Wrestlemania was proposing that we have a "Winner Take All" situation. Eleven matches, whoever wins six or more will be the only surviving promotion. Bischoff and Shane agreed to the terms.
Triple H pedigreed Chris Jericho through a table after Y2J had taunted him after his assault on Shawn Michaels last week.
The Undertaker beat DDP. Sting descended from the rafters and confronted 'Taker in the ring. Sting said he had been waiting a long time to face the 'Phenom and wanted to do so at Wrestlemania. Undertaker advised he had never lost at 'Mania and wasn't about to start now.
The Rock beat Booker T in the main event. Hulk Hogan slow hand clapped him after the decision.
Smackdown - March 7, 2002
Shawn Michaels returned and requested a rematch with RVD in a Ladder Match for later that night. RVD accepted.
Booker T pinned Raven.
Triple H addressed the crowd and promised to end the title reign of Y2Joke at Wrestlemania.
Edge defeated DDP.
Mr Perfect said he was perfect not an afterthought and demanded a match at Wrestlemania. Vince McMahon emerged and said he had to earn it. He booked Perfect versus Goldust later in the show.
Scott Steiner pinned The Rock after the nWo interfered.
Mr Perfect beat Goldust. Post match he said he wanted a shot at the Hardcore Title at Wrestlemania.
Monday Night Raw - March 11, 2002
Shawn Michaels said he had deja vu. He said seeing Scott Hall's face as he fell from a ladder in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title awakened memories of Wrestlemania X. He said he wanted Hall one more time at Wrestlemania and guaranteed that this time the result would be reversed.
Triple H pinned Billy Kidman.
Goldust beat Scott Hall after Michaels ran in and superkicked him.
The Rock teamed with Kurt Angle to defeat Hulk Hogan and Bigshow. X-Pac and Kane ran in for a post-match brawl.
In the main event segment, Jim Ross conducted an interview with Stone Cold inside the ring. Austin said that last year at Wrestlemania he sold his soul to the devil but this year he is Satan and will go medieval on Goldberg. Goldberg ran in and speared Austin.
Smackdown - March 14, 2002
Chris Jericho assaulted Triple H backstage as he prepared for a planned bout with Booker T. Jericho smashed the "Game's" knee with a wrench.
Sting appeared in the ring and said that The Undertaker had "gone soft." 'Taker came out on his motorbike and said that he "didn't dress like Satan anymore but he is still an "American Bad Ass" and he will prove that the wrestling ring is his yard.
Vince McMahon met with Shane McMahon and Eric Bischoff inside the ring. Vince said that after Wrestlemania X-8, both of them will be fired. Bischoff said that he can't wait for Vince to work for him and advised he had a few post room vacancies available.
Bischoff told Jim Ross to enjoy his job while he can, as he has Tony Schiavone's phone number on speed dial.
Stone Cold beat Scott Steiner and dodged a Goldberg spear post-match and delivered a Stone Cold Stunner.
Before the show went off the air, Triple H vowed that he will make it to Wrestlemania on Sunday and defeat Jericho for the Undisputed Title.
Wrestlemania X-8 - March 17, 2002
Winners on the WrestleMania card emboldened below:
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan
Stone Cold vs Goldberg
WWF Championship - Chris Jericho vs Triple H
Sting vs The Undertaker
Shawn Michaels vs Scott Hall
Intercontinental Title - Rob Van Dam vs Edge vs Booker T
X-Pac & Bigshow vs Kurt Angle & Kane
Tag Team Championship - Billy & Chuck vs The Dudley Boyz vs The APA vs The Hardy Boyz
Cruiserweight Title - Rey Mysterio vs Dean Malenko
Women's Title - Jazz vs Trish Stratus vs Lita
Hardcore Title - Scott Steiner vs Goldust vs Maven vs DDP vs Mr Perfect vs Raven
Team WCW won five of the first six Wrestlemania matches putting Team WWF in sudden death mode for the rest of the card. Team WWF won all five of the remaining bouts to vanquish WCW when The Rock pinned Hulk Hogan.
Post-match, Hogan extended his hand to Rock and celebrated with Team WWF and also shook hands with Vince McMahon. The nWo looked on from the stage aghast. Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon who was stationed at ringside were both fired by Vince.
In major happenings on the 'Mania card, Shawn Michaels defeated Scott Hall, eight years after he had lost to him at Wrestlemania X.
Dean Malenko pinned Rey Mysterio to win the Cruiserweight belt and immediately vacated the strap and announced his retirement.
Booker T won his first Intercontinental Title in a Triple Threat encounter.
The Undertaker pinned Sting. Post-match, the pair shook hands. Sting took the microphone and said that the WWF vs WCW war for him was never personal, but he had to remain loyal to WCW as he had done for his whole career.
Triple H lifted the Undisputed Title.
Stone Cold pinned Goldberg in a back and forth encounter littered with outside interference. Botched nWO interventions cost Goldberg the bout. As a result, Goldberg wiped the nWO out with spears post-match. He and Austin exchanged wry smiles as Goldberg left ringside.
That is how my re-booked Invasion concluded. As you can see, Sting, Goldberg and Hogan were all turned face in defeat at 'Mania setting up their continued careers in the WWF post-Invasion.
For Sting and Goldberg at least, there is no reason why either man could not have enjoyed long, successful years in the WWF post-WCW.
Let me know what you think of the Invasion final chapter in the comments.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
