Stone Cold’s 2001 Heel Turn — Chaos, Chaos, and Why It Didn’t Work

It all kicked off at WrestleMania X-Seven. Austin, the anti-Vince hero for years, did something shocking: he aligned with Vince McMahon to win the WWE Championship. By Vince Helping Austin win the WWF title against the Rock. Fans were stunned. Some cheered the unpredictability, but many felt betrayed. It was a shocking moment that defined the unpredictability of 2001 — but it didn’t feel earned.

Austin then slowly worked throughout 2001, and this character would stay a heel other than the week before invasion until November after Survivor Series.

In April, the night after WrestleMania, Rock had a rematch with Austin. Which was a steel cage match for the WWF title. The match ended with Austin and Vince beating down the Rock. Then Triple H music hit. It's all the game, the great Motorhead song. People popped because Triple H snapped at Vince earlier in the night. Triple H had been feuding with Austin for the last couple months before Mania. But Triple H looked mad at Austin, then pulled a serve and hit Rock with a sledgehammer. Triple H after that helped Austin beat down Rock and joined Austin. Which formed the Two-Man Power Trip. Together, they feuded with The Undertaker and Kane leading into Judgment Day. The idea was massive: two of WWE’s biggest stars running the show.

But disaster struck. The very next night, on Raw in May of 2001, during a tag match against Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho, Triple H tore his quad. Suddenly, Austin was carrying the heel role alone. Despite the setback, he continued to feud with Jericho and Benoit, keeping the momentum alive as best as possible.

At King of the Ring, Booker T appeared and injured Austin. Despite the injury, Austin finished the match and retained the title — showing why he was the toughest competitor of the era.

After that, Austin was paired with Vince McMahon and Kurt Angle in a storyline filled with singing, hats, and tons of comedy. At the time, the alliance was building, seemingly for laughs and entertainment. But fans were already hoping for the return of the old, rebellious Austin.

Heading into the Invasion, fans got a taste of what they wanted: Austin walking up the ramp, seemingly ready to make the right choice. The next Raw, he helps Team WWF, giving fans hope.

But then, at Invasion, Austin does it again — turns heel and joins the Alliance. He feuds with Kurt Angle, at first running away, but eventually loses via DQ at SummerSlam. At Unforgiven, due to the infamous 9-1-1 spot, Kurt Angle wins the title.

Things get even crazier. William Regal joins the Alliance and helps Austin beat Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship about two weeks later. Mick Foley returns on SmackDown, creating a triple threat between Austin, RVD, and Kurt Angle, which Austin retains.

Then, Kurt joins the Alliance, and Austin and Kurt team up. The WCW and WWF war continues until Survivor Series, culminating in a 5 vs. 5 match where WWF wins. in the match Kurt screws Austin over.

The next night on Raw, Vince tries to hand Kurt the WWF title, but then Ric Flair returns, saying, “we’re partners.” Austin walks out, beats up Kurt, and drinks a beer with Ric — a perfect nostalgic moment reminding fans of the Austin they loved.

Even with all this chaos and big moments, the heel turn struggled:

• Character clash: Austin’s anti-authority persona had been his defining trait.

• Inconsistent booking: Turning face, then back heel, with comedy bits and alliances diluted the heel impact.

• Fan reaction: Live audiences and forums made it clear — this heel Austin wasn’t fully accepted

• Injuries and storyline chaos: Triple H’s injury, Booker T’s spot, and constant shifting made it messy.

Despite memorable moments like the Two-Man Power Trip, Ric Flair’s return, and Survivor Series, the heel turn of Austin never fully landed in the hearts of fans.

2001 gave fans some of the most chaotic and nostalgic moments in WWE history. Austin’s heel turn, while bold, highlighted the dangers of messing with a beloved character. Between the alliances, comedic bits, injuries, and battles with Kurt Angle, the storyline was a rollercoaster — entertaining, but ultimately a reminder that some characters just shouldn’t be turned heel.

Fans can look back at this year and remember the chaos, the big moments, and the nostalgic magic — but the Austin heel turn? That’s still the one thing we shake our heads at. Did you like Austin as a heel or glad he turned back face in late 2001? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.