10 Times WWE Stipulations Meant Nothing
7. Team Austin Vs. Team Bischoff (Survivor Series 2003)
Remember the time Steve Austin was an authority figure on Raw? Post in-ring retirement, WWE had found a nice little role for Austin where he was the General Manager on the Red Brand. The fact that he brought his trademark anarchy to an administrative role just made it all the more fun.
This also happened to coincide with Eric Bischoff's run as Raw GM, having been hired by Vince the year before. Bischoff had immediately slotted into his own role as RAW General Manager and when Austin took up position as his counterpart, the two Co-GMs were at war.
It all culminated in a Traditional Survivor Series 5-on-5 Elimination Match, with the stipulation being had Austin’s team lost, he would be fired. After an absorbing encounter, the good guys did indeed lose and Stone Cold delivered some final Stunners and a rather emotional farewell speech, before taking his bow, or so we thought at least. Because a short while later, he was brought back as the Sheriff of RAW, meaning all the emotions we had invested in that match were for nothing.