Before the match, Mr. McMahon is seen with Team WWF. The Rock gets the biggest pop and it's not even close. He gives them a pep talk and tells them to consider the Steve Austin rumors BS, then we see Austin leading Team Alliance through the arena. The hype video package plays, how is RVD's crossbody to Undertaker from the Raw stage not talked about more? It shows each member of both teams, which was pretty cool. Shane McMahon's music hits, so he's out first. Of course, he's the owner of WCW having famously bought it under Vince's nose. Booker T enters next and The Alliance is shown in their locker room watching the monitor. WWF Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam is next, completing the pair of people that really SHOULD have represented The Alliance. Kurt Angle enters, with Paul Heyman making a pretty decent argument for The Olympian joining The Alliance to get away from “Sports Entertainment” Steve Austin joins his team, he's the current WWF Champion and Jim Ross calls him arguably the greatest of all time.
JR also points out that there was a WWF referee and an Alliance referee assigned to the match. Big Show enters first for his team, he replaced Vince McMahon in the match. Thinking back, McMahon used Big Show like that a few times for the first couple of years. He clears the ring ready for Kane's entrance as we see WWF's locker room. Undertaker is next and the Alliance members scatter as he rides around ringside. Chris Jericho is out next and JR comes out with a classic line, getting tired of Heyman's shit. “Jim Cornette can replace you tomorrow night, pal!” Team captain The Rock enters as JR explains how these matches work. The Rock is the WCW Champion at this time.
TEAM ALLIANCE VS. TEAM WWF (Winner Takes All Classic Survivor Series)
WWF Survivor Series 2001 (18th November 2001)
The Rock and Steve Austin start us off, exchanging right hands. Steve Austin with a knee to the midsection, he backs The Rock into the corner. Austin chops Rock in the corner but The Rock fires back with right hands. Austin reverses an irish whip and hits the Lou Thesz press. Austin hits the ropes and gives everyone possible a one-finger salute before the elbow drop. Austin clubs at The Rock's back and hits more right hands. The Rock reverses an irish whip, sending Austin into the ropes. Steve Austin ducks a clothesline but runs into a Lou Thesz press. The Rock hits the elbow drop, flipping the bird to Austin and team Alliance. He covers but Shane McMahon breaks up the pin, Austin gets to his feet and tags in Booker T. Booker T clubs at The Rock and chops him against the ropes. The Rock is sent off the ropes but he ducks a clothesline and sends Booker T down with a forearm. The Rock gets a nearfall, but Shane was there to break it up just in case. Heyman is calling Vince out for backing out of the match whilst JR reminds him that he named a 500lbs monster as his replacement. Making him a smart businessman.
Chris Jericho is tagged in, he kicks Boker T in the gut before unloading chops. He sends Booker T off the ropes but ducks too early, Booker T kicks Jericho but runs into a flapjack so tags out to Rob Van Dam, who soaks in the reaction before locking up with Jericho. Jericho gets the headlock but is sent off the ropes, he knocks RVD down with a shoulder tackle but he kips up, RVD leapfrogs Jericho and rolls over his back, Jericho counters the O'Connor roll and ducks a kick by Van Dam and hits a heel kick. Jericho hits a suplex and RVD is able to fight to his feet as they exchange rights. Jericho chops at RVD and sends him across the ring, but RVD holds on to the top rope so Y2J eats shit on the dropkick. A cartwheel into a standing moonsault by RVD gets a nearfall. RVD is sent into the corner but he floats over. Jericho counters a hurricanrana into a Walls of Jericho but Shane O Mac is there to save his teammate again.
Kane and Booker T both make the tag, then Booker decides against it, letting Kurt Angle into the match. Angle ducks a right hand and gets a few shots in but Kane grabs him by the throat and throws him into the corner. Kane throws lefts and rights, he sends Angle across the ring and follows with a clothesline. Angle lands behind on the suplex attempt and sends Kane over with a german suplex. Shane taunts Kane from the apron, but Kane sits up. Angle fires with right hands but gets sent into the corner. Kurt Angle walks into a sidewalk slam, Kane covers and Shane breaks it up again. The Rock has some words with Earl Hebner before Underaker tags in. He boots Angle, then goes to right hands on the mat and sends Angle's head into the top turnbuckle. Angle is sent across the ring but meets Undertaker with an elbow, tagging out to Booker T, who gets sent off the ropes into a big boot. Undertaker hits a leg drop and covers, but Shane breaks it up again.
Undertaker starts targetting Booker T's left arm, he hits Old School and then what used to be called Undertaker arm wrench” on the old video games. He drops his leg onto Booker T's arm, Booker T tries to keep one shoulder off the mat, then rolls Undertaker back for a nearfall. Undertaker drops him with a clothesline and covers, Shane breaks it up then scrambles back to his place on the apron as I hear the Benny Hill theme tune in the distance. Steve Austin gets the tag and backs Taker into the corner with right hands. He kicks at Undertaker in the corner, then tells Hebner to pick trap 3 at the dog track tomorrow and put $10 on it. Or something, he chokes Undertaker across the middle rope, Shane tries to hold Undertaker in place but Undertaker avoids the attack. He knocks Austin down with a clothesline and hits Old School, he covers and Shane stays on the apron... Nah, of course not. He breaks it up and The Rock looks increasingly frustrated.
Kane gets a cheap shot from the apron, then Undertaker knocks Angle down, but gets trapped in The Alliance's corner, Team WWF tries to get in the ring to help, but the referee keeps them at bay. Austin tags in Booker T but Kurt Angle won't get out of the ring so Booker T just tags him in. Undertaker fights back with right hands and sends Angle off the ropes. Undertaker ducks and is hit with a swinging neckbreaker, he covers and gets a close nearfall as Heyman loses his shit on commentary. Kurt Angle gets into a striking battle with Undertaker and predictably loses, He can't lift Undertaker for a german suplex, Taker elbows his way free and hits a DDT. He makes the tag to Big Show who knocks Angle down with clotheslines, over to the corner for an overhand chop and knee to the gut. He goes to send Angle across the ring, then changes his mind and sends him back again. The straps come down and Angle is launched across the ring. RVD enters the ring but is decapitated with a clothesline and dropped from over Big Show's head. Big Show knocks Austin and Booker T from the apron with right hands but Shane's cat-like reflexes help him evade it.
Kurt Angle is grabbed by the throat but escapes the Chokeslam with a kick to the gut, he hits an Angle Slam and tags out to Booker T who hits the Scissor Kick and celebrates with a Spinarooni. RVD gets the tag and hits the Five Star Frog Splash. Shane McMahon finally tags into the match, hitting the elbow drop, eliminating Big Show. We see the locker rooms reacting in the back as Shane celebrates before turning into The Rock's right hands. The Rock clotheslines him down and tags Kane back in, he brings Shane to his feet by the throat and hits the Chokeslam before tagging Undertaker in. He hits the Tombstone and tags out to Jericho who eliminates Shane McMahon with the Lionsault. Paul Heyman was pure gold on commentary during this section of the match. The WWF Locker room celebrates as Jericho meets Angle with right hands, Hebner drags Shane to the side of the ring. Jericho elbows his way free from a belly to belly suplex, he ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. Jericho hits a tigerbomb into a backbreaker and covers, but Austin breaks it up.
Kurt Angle takes Austin down, hits right hands, and tags in Booker T as we see Shane taken away from ringside. Booker T slams Jericho three times before hitting a knee drop and tagging RVD in. We see a replay of Shane's elimination and The Alliance's reaction, taking our attention away from a kicking combination from RVD. He sends Jericho from corner to corner, he hits two shoulder tackles, but the backflip gives Jericho time to counter the third, rolling RVD up for 2. He knocks RVD down with a clothesline and tags Kane in. Kane sends Rob Van Dam off the ropes into a big boot. RVD is knocked down with clotheslines, he is sent off the ropes again but Kane ducks early, RVD rolls over his back, Kane catches the right hand but gets kicked in the head. Kane is backed into the corner, RVD hits two shoulder blocks again but Kane explodes out of the corner with a clothesline! Kane hits a powerslam, Booker T tries to get a cheap shot from the apron but is brought into the match. Kane knocks him down with a big boot and turns around into a spinning heel kick by RVD. Rob Van Dam hits the Five Star Frog Splash, but can't capitalize before Kane grabs him by the throat. A spinning heel kick from Booker T saves RVD from the Chokeslam, which brings in Undertaker and then everyone else. RVD goes back to the top rope when the ring clears, he hits Kane with a side kick and covers, eliminating Kane.
The Alliance celebrates in the back as Undertaker comes into the match, he sends RVD back into the corner with rights and a back elbow, Booker T tries to sneak up on Undertaker but is cut off, he's backed into a corner, Austin is sent into the third corner as you can see Hebner's just lost the will to live. He's not controlling this. Kurt Angle completes the set and its clotheslines for everyone. Booker T is sent over to the floor, as is the legal man RVD. Undertaker hits Angle with the Snake Eyes and a running boot as JR reminds me of the short-lived (thankfully) nickname Booger Red” for Taker. Apparently, it's a Southern States thing, source: Either Pritchard or JR's podcast. He hits Kurt Angle with the Last Ride and boots Booker T before he can use the chair, but Austin hits Undertaker with the Stunner and drags Angle over for the pin. Wait, when did he become legal? Did I miss something? The Rock and Chris Jericho are left against four Alliance members. Booker T sends The Rock into the ring and follows, continuing the secret Lucha Libre rules in the match.
He stomps at The Rock, who has no one to tag in his corner, Jericho's still down on the floor. The Rock is sent off the ropes but ducks a clothesline, he hits some right hands but Booker T reverses the irish whip, hitting The Rock with a jumping kick which he sells like death. Booker T takes too much time celebrating and The Rock hits him with a desperation DDT, he covers but Angle breaks it up. Jericho is groggily getting back to the corner as Booker T and The Rock are back to their feet, Booker T hits knees to the gut but runs into a Samoan drop. The Rock covers and it's Austin's turn to break it up. The Rock sends Booker T into Angle on the apron and rolls him up for the elimination. We see the reactions from backstage as RVD comes in, sending The Rock into the corner. Jericho is finally back in position on the apron, RVD kicks at The Rock in the corner but is sent across the ring. He cuts The Rock off with a kick to the midsection, he jumps to the top rope but The Rock is able to slam him to the mat, covering for 2.
Chris Jericho gets the tag, he hits a dropkick to the back of RVD's head, stopping the tag but RVD reverses an irish whip, he tackles Rob Van Dam down and hits a spinning neckbreaker for a nearfall. He chops at RVD in the corner and RVD reverses an irish whip, Jericho floats over in the corner and hits the bulldog. RVD rolls out of the way of the Lionsault and Jericho lands on his feet but is caught with a spinning heel kick. Jericho tells RVD to chill out as JR covers for him “checking his teeth” Chris Jericho gets his knees up on a split-kegged moonsault. Chris Jericho hits the Breakdown front leg sweep and covers RVD, evening the numbers in the match. Kurt Angle jumps Jericho, not wasting a second. Austin and Rock get involved in the affray, brawling to the outside. The Rock is sent into the announce table as Angle goes to town on Jericho in the corner with right hands. The Rock is catapulted into the ring post, Angle takes Jericho down with a fireman's carry in the ring and applies a chinlock in the ring.
We see a replay of the catapult before Jericho gets to his feet, he gets free with elbows but Angle trips him with a single-leg, Angle rolls through for a nearfall before tagging in Austin. Stone Cold chops at Angle in the corner, Austin dumps Jericho on the corner, and hits a superplex from the middle rope for a nearfall. Austin sends Jericho off the ropes, there's a miscommunication before locking up, Jericho gets a front facelock but Austin dumps him overhead and hits the elbow drop. He covers for a nearfall and tags out to Angle, who chokes Jericho across the middle rope, he keeps the referee distracted as Austin chokes him over the bottom rope and stomps Jericho against the ropes. Kurt Angle sends Austin off the ropes into a back elbow and covers for a nearfall. Chris Jericho counters a german suplex, leaning forward and rolling through into an ankle lock. Kurt Angle rolls through and there's a miscommunication again before Angle knocks Jericho down with a clothesline.
Steve Austin tags back in, he slams Jericho and hits a suplex, Austin goes to the middle rope but decides against it, Jericho is sent off the ropes into a back elbow, Austin chokes him, leaning on the ropes and tags in Angle, who uses strikes on Jericho against the ropes before tagging out again.
Angle holds Jericho for more stomps from Austin, Jericho is snapmared over into a chinlock by Stone Cold. Jericho eventually gets to his feet and frees himself with forearm shots, Austin gets some rights in, Jericho chops at him, hits the ropes and they clothesline each other leading to a tag each side, The Rock comes in hot with right hands backing Angle into the ropes. Angle reverses an irish whip and tries to pull The Rock back but it's reversed. The Rock throws Angle across the ring and knocks Austin down on the apron. The Rock catches a kick by Angle and hits the Dragon Screw before locking in a sharpshooter. Kurt Angle taps out but The Rock doesn't release. Stone Cold shoves Hebner out of the way and hits The Rock, knocking him into a tag from Jericho.
Chris Jericho chops away at Austin but is sent across the ring, he jumps on the middle rope and back into a crossbody on Austin but he rolls through, 1, 2, no! Austin sends Jericho off the ropes but he catches the Lou Thesz press and slams Austin to the mat. Austin fights off the Walls of Jericho and rakes Y2J's face. Austin's bleeding from the mouth as we get the Montreal reference we were all waiting for from JR. Jericho fights off a Walls attempt but is kicked in the gut. A flying ax handle from Austin is cut off by Jericho but the Lionsault attempt hits Austin's knees (and metal knee braces) Austin covers for a nearfall. Jericho is perched on the top rope. Austin hits him with chops and rights before climbing up to meet him, he's sent back down to the mat with a rake to the eyes. Chris Jericho hits a missile dropkick for a nearfall. He chops at Austin and sends him across the ring. He rolls Austin up for 2 then Austin rolls through, eliminating Jericho.
The Rock and Steve Austin end this match, just as they started this. The Rock hits right hands then Austin rakes his face, Austin gets right hands in and hits the ropes but he runs into a spinebuster from The Rock. Chris Jericho hits the Breakdown on The Rock! Paul Heyman celebrates his victory as Austin slowly crawls and covers The Rock. 1, 2, THE ROCK KICKED OUT! Chris Jericho is in shock as he walks back to ringside until Undertaker returns to escort him backstage. Rock and Austin start getting back to their feet in the ring, then Austin takes The Rock down with right hands. He stomps The Rock on the mat and takes some time to tell Earl Hebner what he thinks the weather will be like next week, or something. Austin plays the part of Triple H in a shoving match with Hebner as The Rock gets to his feet, but Austin sends him over the top rope to the floor.
Austin follows him out and sends The Rock's head off the announce table. The Rock is leaned against the table as Austin chops at him. The Rock sets Austin across the announce table and tries to slap a crater into his chest. The Rock is sent into the ring post, then again on the return trip. His head hits the ring steps. The Rock sends Austin over the Spanish announce table, diving over to join him, hitting right hands. Austin's head is sent into the announce desk and they bring it back into the ring. The Rock chops at Austin against the ropes as the fans chant “Rocky” I don't know what relevance that film has, but a nice oldschool reference. Austin reverses an irish whip and slams The Rock down with a standing spinebuster. Steve Austin locks in a sharpshooter as Heyman calls him “Hollywood and “Mr. Movie Star” then another Montreal Screwjob reference, of course. The Rock makes it to the ropes but Austin doesn't break the sharpshooter until Hebner forces him to.
Steve Austin brings the WWF Championship into the match, The Rock ducks a belt shot and locks in a sharpshooter. Steve Austin makes it to the ropes and The Rock drags him back to the middle of the ring, he crawls back to the ropes and The Rock breaks the hold. Austin mule kicks The Rock with a low blow, flips the bird for a Stunner but The Rock catches the kick and hits a Stunner of his own. The Rock covers but Nick Patrick drags Hebner out of the ring and knocks him down. Stone Cold saves Nick Patrick from a Rock Bottom and hits one on The Rock. Steve Austin covers, getting a close nearfall. Austin says it was 3 and knocks Patrick out of the ring, replacing him with Hebner. He goes for a Stunner, but Rock shoves him off into a ref bump. Stone Cold elbows out of a Rock Bottom attempt and hits a Stunner! He realizes there's no referee, he goes to revive Earl Hebner as Kurt Angle runs down to the ring, he grabs the WWF title belt and hits Austin with it! Stone Cold turns around into a Rock Bottom, Te Rock covers and Earl Hebner counts the three.
WINNERS: TEAM WWF (The Rock as Sole Survivor)
There are the obvious complaints that the result was never in doubt and that WCW and ECW were only represented by one member of Team Alliance each. The Invasion was somehow worked to end with Stone Cold and The Rock in another showdown. That aside, this was an amazing match. Shane McMahon played the role of a player/coach adding himself into the match at any opportunity and avoiding harm at the beginning. Once he got stuck in the ring he was taken out of the way, Jericho and RVD worked well together in their sections of the match and everyone got some time in the match, not easy in these matches.– As a match, it's **** ¼ but personally, I'd rate it 8/10
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