WWF Invasion Invasion ( also typeset as InVasion ) was a professional wrestling pay - per - view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) and presented by PlayStation . It took place on July 22 , 2001 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland , Ohio . This event was originally planned to be called Fully Loaded 2001 , as it was advertised at the King of the Ring 2001 event , which immediately preceded Invasion . Invasion was the first pay - per - view to feature the ongoing Invasion storyline , which featured wrestlers from the WWF taking on a combined force of wrestlers from World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) and Extreme Championship Wrestling ( ECW ) , later known as The Alliance . The event featured WWF wrestlers facing WCW and ECW wrestlers . The main event , dubbed the " Inaugural Brawl , " was a five - on - five tag team match between Team WWF and Team WCW / ECW . The other main match was a singles match for the WWF Hardcore Championship between Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy . Background . On March 23 , the World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) bought out its long - time rival , World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) . The last episode of " WCW Monday Nitro " aired on March 26 , dubbed the " Night of Champions " . " Nitro " started with WWF Owner Vince McMahon announcing a simulcast with " WWF Raw is War " later that night to address the future of WCW , during which it was revealed that Shane McMahon had bought WCW . At WrestleMania X - Seven on April 1 , Shane defeated Vince in a Street Fight with some of the WCW talent in attendance while sitting in the upper level seats at the Reliant Astrodome . During May and June , WCW wrestlers interfered in matches on WWF programming . At the 2001 King of the Ring , Booker T interfered during a Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship and tossed Steve Austin through the announcers table , nearly costing him the title . On the following night , the June 25 episode of " Raw is War " , Shane declared his intention to invade the WWF , and the Invasion storyline started with Booker T performing a scissors kick to Vince . On the June 28 episode of " WWF SmackDown ! " , it was decided that Fully Loaded was to be changed to Invasion , and would feature matches between WWF and WCW . The ultimate goal , reportedly , was for WCW to " take over " one of the WWF ' s two primary programs , either " WWF Raw Is War " or " WWF SmackDown ! " , and rebrand it as its own separate entity . To test the waters for this , the final twenty minutes of the July 2 " Raw Is War " telecast was given over to WCW , which brought in its own commentators ( Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson ) , ring announcer ( Stacy Keibler ) , referee ( Nick Patrick ) , ring apron , and Chyron graphics , to present a match between Booker T and Buff Bagwell for Booker ' s WCW Championship ( which he had won on the final episode of " WCW Monday Nitro " ) . This continued on " SmackDown ! " , where Gregory Helms lost the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Billy Kidman and Booker defended the WCW Championship against Diamond Dallas Page . The Booker / Bagwell title match , however , was very poorly received both by television viewers and the live crowd in the arena , with the two other WCW matches receiving a similar reaction . The decision was thus made to make WCW a heel group who was out to destroy the WWF . On the July 9 on " Raw Is War " , when then - face WCW owner Shane was scheduled to face Page in a street fight against the Undertaker . The two instead attacked The Undertaker , turning Shane heel ( Page had already debuted in WWF as a heel , as part of a stalker angle with Undertaker and his wife ) . Later that night , Chris Jericho and Kane ( from the WWF ) fought Lance Storm and Mike Awesome ( from WCW ) in a tag team match . It ended in a no contest when the ECW Alumni from both the WWF and WCW along with the debuting Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer made their way to the ring . As it looked as though they were going after Storm and Awesome , they instead attacked Jericho and Kane . This led to the " Raw " color - commentator Paul Heyman leaving the announcer ' s booth and declared that Extreme Championship Wrestling ( ECW ) has joined the invasion and stated that the invasion has been taken to the extreme , leading to some WWF and WCW wrestlers ( including Lance Storm , Rhyno , The Dudley Boyz , and Tazz ) defecting to ECW . Shane appeared to co - operate with Vince against ECW , but later that night , it was revealed that WCW and ECW have merged , and that Stephanie McMahon - Helmsley ( who was last seen on the May 21 episode of " Raw Is War " ) now owned ECW . Earlier in the year , Austin had a change in character , becoming more emotional , and friendly with Vince . On the July 12 episode of " SmackDown ! " , Vince said he needed the " old " Austin , an anti - hero tough character , to lead the WWF at Invasion . After Vince pleaded with him , Austin shook his head and left . During the July 16 episode of " Raw is War " , Austin was shown drinking in a bar . Later that night , a fight started between many WWF wrestlers , and WCW and ECW wrestlers . As WWF seemed to be disadvantaged , Austin arrived , and returned to his old character , fighting off the WCW and ECW wrestlers . The WWF wrestlers ( Steve Austin , Kurt Angle , Chris Jericho , Kane , The Undertaker ) then cleared out the ring , and were left standing tall . Before the event officially began , Chavo Guerrero , Jr . ( WCW ) defeated Scotty 2 Hotty ( WWF ) in a match taped for " Sunday Night HEAT " . The first match of the event was between Lance Storm and Mike Awesome ( ECW ) , and Edge and Christian ( WWF ) . The match went back and forth until Awesome attempted a cheap shot at Edge from the apron . Edge avoided it , performed a dropkick , and sent Storm on top of him with a back body drop . Christian then leaped off Edge over the top rope onto Storm and Awesome . As Christian was on the top turnbuckle , Awesome tripped Christian , and attacked his back outside . Back in the ring , Storm and Awesome dominated Christian after Storm threw Christian ' s gut into the ringpost . Christian fought back with a crossbody , but Awesome tagged in , and performed a flapjack spinebuster . Storm and Awesome dominated Christian until Christian performed a back body drop to Awesome from the top rope . Edge and Storm tagged in , and Edge performed an Edge - O - Matic to Storm . Storm performed a jawbreaker , and attempted a double belly to back suplex with Awesome . Edge landed on his feet , and Christian performed a flying clothesline to both Storm and Awesome . Edge performed a spear to Awesome . Storm attempted a superkick to Christian , but Edge shoved Christian , and took the kick himself . As Awesome held Edge in a crucifix , Christian performed a spear to Awesome . Edge landed on top of Awesome , and pinned him for the victory . The second match was between WCW Senior Referee Nick Patrick and WWF Senior Referee Earl Hebner with Mick Foley as the special guest referee . Other WCW and WWF referees accompanied them to the ring . The match started with Hebner delivering kicks in the corner , followed by punches , and knee drops to the midsection , but Patrick pulled Hebner outside . Back in the ring , Patrick stomped Hebner , but Hebner fought back with punches , and mounted punches . Patrick fought back by performing a low blow , and sent Hebner outside with a baseball slide . WCW referees stomped Hebner until Foley stopped them , and ejected them from ringside . Back in the ring , Patrick complained to Foley , allowing Hebner to perform a flying shoulder block , and pin Patrick for the victory . After the match , Patrick argued with Foley . Foley punched him , and applied the mandible claw . The third match was between the APA ( Faarooq and Bradshaw ) ( WWF ) , and Sean O ' Haire and Chuck Palumbo ( WCW ) . The teams were the tag team champions of their promotions . The match began with the APA performing a double spinebuster to Palumbo . Bradshaw had the advantage over Palumbo , then O ' Haire . After Faarooq tagged in , O ' Haire countered a belly to back suplex attempt , and performed a knee lift . Palumbo tagged in , and Faarooq performed a flying shoulder block . Bradshaw then tagged in , and performed a fallaway slam to Palumbo . O ' Haire then kicked Bradshaw in the head , and performed a Widow Maker . Palumbo tagged in , and Bradshaw fought back with a DDT . After Faarooq tagged in , O ' Haire pulled him out of the ring , and sent him into the ringsteps . They dominated Faarooq until Faarooq fought back with a spinebuster . Bradshaw and Palumbo tagged in , and Bradshaw performed a big boot , and a powerslam . As Bradshaw attempted a fallaway slam , O ' Haire performed a superkick , and dropped Bradshaw onto the top turnbuckle . After Faarooq sent O ' Haire outside , Palumbo performed a superkick to Faarooq , and Bradshaw pinned Palumbo after performing a Clothesline from Hell . The fourth match was between the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X - Pac and the WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman . The match started back and forth until Kidman performed a hurricanrana , and an enzuigiri . X - Pac fought back after sending Kidman over the top rope , and performed a springboard reverse crossbody to the outside . Back in the ring , X - Pac applied the sleeper hold . Kidman escaped , and applied the sleeper hold , but X - Pac countered with a belly to back suplex . X - Pac went to the top rope , and performed a somersault legdrop , but Kidman avoided it . Kidman performed a B . K . Bomb , and mounted punches , which X - Pac countered with a powerbomb . X - Pac attempted another powerbomb , but Kidman reversed it into a sitout facebuster . X - Pac then countered an aerial attack with an X - Factor . As he attempted a Bronco buster , Kidman lifted his leg , performing a low blow . Kidman then pinned X - Pac after a shooting star press . The fifth match was between Raven ( ECW ) and William Regal ( WWF ) . Regal gained the early advantage following a double underhook suplex , and a catapult , sending Raven outside . Back in the ring , Raven tossed Regal over top rope , and performed a baseball slide , and a Russian legsweep into the security wall . Back in the ring , Raven performed a diving punch to Regal ' s forehead . Regal countered another attempt , and performed a knee lift . Raven fought back with a corner clothesline , and a running bulldog . Regal fought back , countering a Raven Effect DDT into a Northern Lights suplex . After both collided , Raven rolled out of the ring , as Tazz came down . As the referee checked on Raven , Tazz performed a T - Bone suplex to Regal . Tazz left , and Raven pinned Regal after performing a Raven Effect DDT . The sixth match was between The Big Show , Billy Gunn ( WWF ) and Albert , and Chris Kanyon , Shawn Stasiak and Hugh Morrus ( WCW ) . Before the match began , the WWF wrestlers gorilla pressed the WCW wrestlers . The match started with Kanyon attacking Gunn in the corner . Gunn performed an electric chair drop , but Stasiak hit a cheap shot , and Kanyon performed a Russian legsweep followed by a forward Russian legsweep . Stasiak tagged in , and Gunn performed a neckbreaker slam . After Albert tagged in , Kanyon and Morrus entered the ring , but Gunn and The Big Show threw them out . Albert performed a bicycle kick , and a Baldo Bomb to Stasiak . Morrus and Kanyon attacked Albert , and Morrus performed a DDT . Morrus tagged in , and Albert performed a powerslam before tagging in Gunn . Gunn performed a Fameasser to Morrus , and attempted the One and Only . Stasiak attacked him from behind , performing an inverted DDT , and Morrus pinned him for the victory . After the match , The Big Show performed chokeslam s to Morrus and Stasiak , and an Alley Oop to Kanyon . The seventh match was between Tazz ( ECW ) and Tajiri ( WWF ) . The match started with Tajiri performing a spinning heel kick , and a standing moonsault . Tazz fought back with a head and arm suplex . Tajiri then escaped a suplex attempt , and performed kicks and punches . Tazz fought back with a clothesline . After Tazz applied a cross armbar , and performed a flapjack spinebuster , Tajiri fought back with a handspring back elbow . Tazz then pulled Tajiri off the apron , and sent him into the ringsteps . Back in the ring , Tajiri applied the Tarantula , and dropkicked Tazz , who was kneeling . Tazz then blocked a kick , and performed a capture suplex . He then shoved the referee out of the way , allowing Tajiri to spit green mist into Tazz ' s face , and pin him after a Buzzsaw Kick . The eighth match was between Rob Van Dam ( RVD ) ( ECW ) and Jeff Hardy ( WWF ) for the WWF Hardcore Championship . Before the match began , RVD attacked Matt Hardy from behind with a steel chair . The match started back and forth with a quick pace . Hardy gained the advantage after a dropkick to the back . After Hardy missed a crossbody , RVD performed a standing moonsault , a lifting double underhook facebuster , and a rolling thunder . RVD then climbed the turnbuckles , but Hardy shoved him outside . Outside , Hardy walked the barricade , but RVD sent him into the crowd . After a moonsault from the barricade , Hardy was placed over the barricade , and RVD performed a spinning heel kick off the apron . Hardy fought back with a sunset flip powerbomb from the apron , took out a ladder , and climbed it . However , RVD tipped the ladder , causing Hardy to fall . RVD attempted to use a chair , but Hardy used the ladder . After Hardy hit RVD with the chair , RVD came back with a Van Daminator , sending Hardy off the stage . Back in the ring , RVD performed a Chair Surf , and attempted a split - legged moonsault , but Hardy blocked it with his knees . Hardy followed with a DDT , a German suplex , and a sitout jawbreaker . RVD then avoided a Swanton Bomb , placed the title belt on Hardy , and performed a Five - Star Frog Splash . RVD then pinned Hardy to win the title . The ninth match was a Bra and Panties match between Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler , and Trish Stratus and Lita with Mick Foley as the special guest referee . The match started with Lita and Stratus taking down Keibler and Wilson . Wilson dropkicked Stratus ' back , and kicked her in the corner . Stratus fought back with a clothesline , and attempted to remove Wilson ' s shirt after a suplex . Keibler stopped her , and they attempted to double team , but Stratus performed a double clothesline . Lita tagged in , knocked Wilson off the apron , and removed Keibler ' s shirt after pulling her in . Keibler went outside the ring , and Lita chased after her . This allowed Wilson to stomp on Lita , and Keibler removed her shirt . Lita fought back with a snapmare , and attempted a diving crossbody . Wilson and Stratus tagged in , and performed a clothesline . Wilson fought back , and pulled Stratus up while stepping on her hair . She pulled down her top , but Stratus performed a roll - up , and removed Wilson ' s pants . Lita and Stratus then performed a Poetry in Motion , with Lita performing an aided clothesline to Wilson , before removing Wilson ' s shirt . Stratus then performed a bulldog to Keibler , and Lita performed a Litasault . They then removed Keibler ' s pants to win the match . The main event was the " Inaugural Brawl " , a ten - man tag team match between the Dudley Boyz ( Bubba Ray and D - Von ) , Rhyno , Booker T , Diamond Dallas Page ( Team WCW / ECW ) , and The Undertaker , Kane , Chris Jericho , Kurt Angle and Steve Austin ( Team WWF ) . WCW Owner Shane McMahon , ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon - Helmsley , ECW General Manager Paul Heyman , and WWF Owner Vince McMahon were at ringside . The Undertaker attacked Page during his entrance , and all wrestlers fought at ringside . The match began with Team WWF having the advantage as Austin dominated Rhyno . Team WCW / ECW gained the advantage after Page performed a hangman to The Undertaker . Team WCW / ECW dominated The Undertaker until he performed a DDT . Team WWF kept the advantage until Booker performed a flapjack to Jericho with help from D - Von . Jericho fought back , knocking down the Dudley Boyz , and tagged in Angle . Angle fought the Dudley Boyz until Bubba Ray performed a Bubba Bomb . Angle was dominated by Team WCW / ECW until The Undertaker came in illegally , and attacked Page . All wrestlers entered the ring , and fought . The Undertaker fought with Page , and , after performed a chokeslam , they fought into the crowd . Austin was down holding his knee as Booker and Angle were lying in the ring . On the outside , Kane was double - teamed by the Dudley Boyz . Kane eventually fought back , performing a chokeslam to D - Von through the announce table . Bubba Ray and Rhyno then sent Kane through the other announce table with a double suplex . Jericho then sent Rhyno through a table with a shoulder block from the apron . In the ring , Bubba Ray and Booker double - teamed Angle until Angle fought back , performing a German suplex to Booker , and an Angle Slam to Bubba Ray . Angle attempted to apply the ankle lock on Booker , but Booker kicked him into the referee . Booker then performed a flapjack , and all three were down . Vince got the WWF Championship belt , and attempted to throw it to Angle . Shane took it , and hit Vince with it . Shane failed to hit Angle , and Angle threw both Shane and Bubba Ray out of the ring . Angle performed an Angle Slam on Booker , and applied the ankle lock . After sending the referee back in the ring , Austin turned on Team WWF by performing a Stone Cold Stunner to Angle . Booker then pinned Angle to win the match for Team WCW / ECW . After the match , Austin celebrated with Shane , Stephanie and Heyman . Aftermath . After this PPV , the Invasion storyline continued . The following night on " Raw is War " , Steve Austin explained his defection was because he felt unappreciated . WCW / ECW , now referred to as The Alliance , had the momentum , holding the WWF Championship , the WWF Intercontinental Championship , and the WWF Hardcore Championship in addition to all of WCW ' s titles . The feud soon centered around the return of The Rock , and which team he would join , as both Vince and Shane both attempted to persuade The Rock to join their team . The Rock remained with the WWF , and engaged in a feud with Booker T over the WCW Championship . Austin would begin a feud with Kurt Angle over the WWF Championship after the occurrences at Invasion .