10 Shocking WWE Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened

2. The Controversial Plan For WCW's Survival

The biggest plan that almost happened but never did involved WWE's purchase of its rival WCW in 2001.

Originally WWE had intended for WCW to continue as an entirely separate wrestling promotion, but remain part of the WWE corporate structure. In some respects this plan was an early prototype of what would become the RAW and SmackDown brand extension.

The plan was scrapped when WWE could not find a workable television slot for a WCW show. Instead the WCW/ECW invasions angle was created as an alternative way of introducing WCW/ECW talent to a WWE audience.

It is worth noting that during the 'Invasion' storyline, the WWE Creative Team was planning to have RAW become a WCW show and SmackDown! a WWE show, which became an instantly unpopular idea when it leaked to fans. Many demanded refunds for prepaid tickets and booed loudly during matches featuring WCW talent in a WWE ring.