10 Greatest World Title Changes That Didn't Take Place On PPV
9. Austin Defeats The Olympic Hero - Raw (8 October 2001)
After the earth-shattering atrocities that took place on 9/11, the world was in shock at the frightening devastation that had befallen the United States. The worst terrorist attack of the US mainland in recent history, it was a day that will forever live in infamy. As with most of the world, the WWF took an unforeseen change of direction following the horrific events and decided to move in a more positive direction during a time when positivity was scarce.
At the time, the WWF was amid its big Invasion storyline involving the WCW/ECW Alliance taking over Vince McMahon's company. With 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin as the evil champion, his feud with 'Olympic Hero' Kurt Angle presented the prime opportunity for the WWF to give the US something to celebrate. As such, the All-American icon won the WWF Championship in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Unforgiven 2001.
As the title switch was only ever scheduled to be a temporary measure, Angle was booked to drop the gold right back to Austin in their championship rematch on Raw two weeks later. In another classic Austin/Angle encounter, the Olympian and 'The Rattlesnake' took the audience on an exciting ride, culminating in WWF Commissioner, William Regal, shockingly defecting to The Alliance, helping the devious Texan to regain the gold.