The summer of 2001 saw Shane and Stephanie McMahon, the spoiled brat children of billionaire WWE owner Vince, attempt to put their father out of business with a WCW/ECW invasion that tested Superstar allegiances and created an unpredictable nature to Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. Those in power were not prepared to allow the former WCW and ECW stars to get over at the expense of the loyal WWE stars who had been with the company throughout the Monday Night Wars. Thus, the war was never really much of a war. Established WWE guys were added to the WCW/ECW Alliance, thus watering down the effect of the story. By November, the story was limping along when the decision was made to book Team WWE vs. Team Alliance with control of the wrestling landscape at stake. Turncoat Steve Austin captained the invaders while The Rock headlined a star-studded Team WWE. In the end, it was the ace up Vince's sleeve in the form of Kurt Angle who secured victory for his company. The following night on Raw, WCW owner Shane McMahon stepped away gracefully while sister Stephanie, the owner and operator of ECW, was dragged away kicking and screaming, begging daddy dearest for mercy where there was none to be found. It was the first time that would happen to the Billion Dollar Princess but certainly not the last.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
