12 Times Vince McMahon's Plans Blew Up In His Face

1. Stone Cold's Turn

2001 will always be remembered as the year that WWE completely squandered the Invasion angle, but the company's problems started before botching the ultimate dream feud. Steve Austin, who saved WWE from destruction in 1997 and 1998 with his feud with Vince McMahon, had returned from injury to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XVII. He won the title from The Rock, but his victory came at the hands of McMahon, who joined with Austin to form an unthinkable alliance. The ultra-talented Austin made the heel turn work, producing the some of the best work of his WWE career and proving himself to be more than just a one-trick pony, if anyone had any doubt. Unfortunately, an Austin-McMahon team was the last thing that WWE fans wanted to see. Yes, it was new, and yes, it was compelling, but Austin had gained a following (for himself and for WWE) as an outlaw who crossed his boss at every opportunity. That's who he was, and that's what made money. The decline of business that followed - ending the Attitude Era - was easily traceable to Austin's turn. Even for all his mistakes, it was stunning to think McMahon would be so oblivious as to think turning Austin was a good idea.