BACKGROUND/INFO: The World Wrestling Federation had just purchased World Championship Wrestling from Ted Turner and AOL-Time Warner in March 2001. On May 21, an "invasion" began, which saw various WCW superstars interfere in WWF matches. Eventually, WCW was the given the right to wrestle on WWF television. On July 9, on RAW, former-Extreme Championship Wrestling superstars Rob Van Dam (or RVD, for short) and Tommy Dreamer interfered in a WCW vs. WWF match, which sparked the on-air "reformation" of ECW. Current WWF'ers who had been groomed in ECW turned on their current home and joined the ECW faction.

Later that same night, ECW and WCW formed an alliance, whereas Shane McMahon owned WCW and his sister, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, owned ECW. It was The Alliance, consisting of the ECW and WCW faction, against the WWF, headed by Vince McMahon. At the Invasion Pay-Per-View, the first-ever interpromotional pay-per-view card occurred, as ECW-WCW wrestlers fought WWF'ers. In the main event, which was a 10-man tag team match called the "Inaugural Brawl," Stone Cold Steve Austin turned on his WWF teammates and joined The Alliance.

For the next few weeks, The Alliance continually dominated the WWF on the television shows. Kurt Angle of the WWF and Austin of The Alliance began a rivalry, and they fought at August 19's SummerSlam, with Austin's WWF World Heavyweight Title on the line. Angle kicked out of three of Austin's Stunners, which severely angered Austin, prompting him to purposefully knock out the referee, Earl Hebner. Two more referees run down to try to civilize the situation, but both are taken out by Austin. Angle then hits his finishing manuever, the Angle Slam, and Nick Patrick, a referee sided w/ The Alliance, runs down and counts the pinfall, but stops at 1 before signaling for the timekeeper to ring the bell and award the match to Angle via disqualification to Austin's excessive abuse of referees. Since titles can't change hands on non-decisions, Austin retained his title. Angle, furious over Patrick's obvious Alliance-bias call, locked Patrick in the Anklelock submission.

The next night on RAW, The Alliance celebrated Austin's title retention (which was basically a fluke) by dedicating the night and renaming it "Austin Appreciation Night." That night, Alliance members Hurricane Helms (a.k.a. Shane Helms/The Hurricane), Shawn Stasiak (a.k.a. Meat), and Tazz all spoke in segments where they continually praised Austin. So, let's go back in time to "Austin Appreciation Night..."

WWF RAW is WAR
"Austin Appreciation Night"
August 20, 2001
Arco Arena, Sacramento, California

There was no main event on the August 20, 2001 edition of RAW. Instead, a segment was presented by The Alliance, in tribute to Stone Cold Steve Austin. Drowning Pool's "Let The Bodies Hit The Floor," which was the theme song of the previous night's SummerSlam Pay-Per-View and the theme of "ECW Owner" Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, hits and out comes "The Billion-Dollar Princess," along with Austin's wife, Debra, Paul E. Heyman, and, eventually, the entire Alliance. Each member is wearing a Stone Cold shirt of some sort (except for some of the women, like Terri and Stephanie). Stephanie, Debra, and Paul E. enter the ring, while all the other members surround the squared circle.

Stephanie gets a microphone and ruins the night for all in attendance and watching at home by...speaking: "The Alliance appreciates your love, because tonight...Tonight is 'Stone Cold Steve Austin Appreciation Night!' Now, if you look through history, you will see great leaders - men like Alexander the Great, men like Julius Caeser, men like Richard Nixon - men who could lead their men, men who could inspire other men, but there's never been a man - never, in history, not since Biblical times that has ever led a force like the Alliance...until now. Ladies and gentelemen, it is an honor, it is a pleasure, and it is a privilege to introduce to you your WWF Champion, a leader amongst men, ladies and gentlemen...STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN!!!"

<Glass Shatters> Out comes the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin, greeted by a chorus of boos from the fans and a chorus of cheers from The Alliance, who make room for the champ (w/ title belt in hand). He walks up the ring steps, steps through the ropes, and immediately climbs up onto each of the four turnbuckles, lifting his arms and title belt high in triumph. Stephanie again speaks: "First of all, sir, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow us to appreciate you. And Stone Cold, I have to tell you personally how much I appreciate what you've done for this industry...but I'm on the only one. Your men, sir, that you have led to greatness, that you are giving all this opportunity to - they all appreciate you as well, and we have gifts for you. We have gifts - Hurricane! Hurricane, come up here! Hurricane - Hurricane, sir, has a gift for Stone Cold Steve Austin."

Hurricane Helms (who is a huge fan of the comic book hero, The Green Lantern, and looks to be one of the only Alliance members not wearing some sort of Stone Cold shirt) climbs into the ring and takes the microphone: "Mr. Austin, my whole life my hero, my idol has been the Green Lantern, but with your actions last night at SummerSlam, your leadership, and your dedication to the Alliance, I've made a decision. From this day forward, you're my new hero, Stone Cold Steve Austin! And I got somethin' that I want you to have - this is my own personal Green Lantern t-shirt - this is my own Green Lantern T-shirt, and I want you to have it. For I have a new t-shirt that I'm gonna' wear from now on." With that, Hurricane removes his Green Lantern t-shirt, revealing...a Stone Cold t-shirt! Heyman, to no one in particular, speaks into a nearby microphone: "Oh, look at this..." Helms hands the shirt to Austin and then gives "The Rattlesnake" a big, affectionate, hug. Austin smiles but doesn't seem to be gladdened by the hug.

Heyman again takes the microphone and speaks: "(to Hurricane) You are a respectful and appreciative young man, Helms. You really are. You're a hell of a Hurricane. That's not all. There's more. Do you know why there's more? (to Austin) Because unlike the WWF, Stone Cold Steve Austin, we appreciate you, sir. And someone here appreciates you almost more than anybody. Who appreciates Steve Austin more than Kanyon?! Come on up, Kanyon - come on in!"

(Chris) Kanyon climbs into the ring and delivers a speech to Austin: "I'm sorry...I'm a little choked up, I mean I can't believe I'm in the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Stone Cold - Steve - for years, the question has always been 'who better than Kanyon?' Last night, finally, I think that question was answered - it's you, Stone Cold ...it's you. So I think - I think I speak for everyone here, and everyone everywhere, when I ask the new question for the ages [reveals a 'Who Better Than Austin?' t-shirt] "Who Betta' Than Austin?" Kanyon gives the new shirt to Austin, who puts it on his shoulder, and gives him a hug (which, like Hurricane's, wasn't returned).

Heyman again speaks: "You're a good man, Kanyon, you know...That question has to be rhetorical because we all know, especially Kurt Angle knows, ain't nobody better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. And you know what, sir? If I may take the liberty of saying so, there's an old saying that 'behind every great man is a great woman,' and tonight, sir, I would like the privlege of introducing to the world, and to you publicly, Mrs. Rattlesnake. Ladies and gentlemen, someone that has a gift for you...ladies and gentlemen, Stone Cold Steve Austin's wife, the lovely and talented Debra!"

Austin's real-life wife, Debra McMichael-Williams, climbs into the ring and speaks to her husband: "From the bottom of my heart, I know you worked really hard last night to beat Kurt Angle, and you're really sore and tired from it all, and to show my love and appreciation I stayed up all last night again and baked these famous 'Debra Cookies' for you. I know you love them." She nudges the plate of cookies toward him, but he's somewhat reluctant to eat one. "Take 'em! Yeah! They're good. I promise," she continues.

Heyman quickly interjects, though: "I know how much you want to eat those...but...but before you do, I don't want you to get a sugar rush, because The Alliance has prepared a rush for you, the likes of which you can't imagine. A video tribute to the greatest leader the sports-entertainment industry has ever known! You paid for it - it was paid for, it was purchased, Tthe Alliance spent its money, and if we could roll it right up there [nudges toward the large Titan Tron video screen], I want you, Stone Cold, to see just how much we appreciate your grand accomplishments. Okay, let's roll that footage for Stone Cold!"

Everyone's attention is moved to the Titan Tron, where a tribute video is shown, featuring Austin delivering Stunners to several superstars, holding up his WWF Title, and taking out Lita, The Hardy Boyz, Kurt Angle, some referees (including Earl Hebner), and Tazz. Once it ends, Austin smiles and The Alliance applauds the well-done production work...or rather Austin. Heyman again speaks: "Thank you for all you've done for us. Thank you for the opportunity that you've granted us. And thank you for giving me the honor of introducing to the world the woman that paid for that video, the co-owner of The Alliance, Ms. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley!"

"The Billion-Dollar Princess" with the "billion-dollar boobies" enters the ring and speaks to Austin via the microphone: "Thank you for the introduction, Paul - but this night isn't about me. This night is about Stone Cold Steve Austin! That's why I want all of the members of the Alliance to get in the ring right now - this is 'Austin Appreciation Night' - this is your night! [The Alliance cheers] Now Stone Cold, that video - and more importantly, your performance last night at SummerSlam - the way you, you ran Kurt Angle into the mat, the way you bashed his head into the ringpost and bloodied his face. I mean, you are the WWF Champion, you are the leader of The Alliance and you are an inspiration! That's why we've all gotten together and we've put together a little song for you - for you - Stone Cold Steve Austin.

"Lillian Garcia (a WWF ring announcer), are you back there? Lilian, please come into the ring." Lillian comes out towards the ring. Steph continues: "Get in the ring! Get in the ring." Lillian immediately does so. Steph continues: "Thank you Lilian. Stone Cold, you've heard the song, 'Wind Beneath My Wings?' Well, The Alliance's version is called, 'Wind Beneath Our Ring.' Lilian, would you please look at the screen [nudges toward Titan Tron] and follow our leader." Lillian takes the microphone as the music begins sounding over the P.A. system. It's the same music of Bette Middler's song, but without the words (only the music). The entire Alliance has entered the ring, making it look like a karaoke machine of sorts, with Austin absolutely beaming with a smile and The Alliance members waving their arms back and forth to the music. At the same time, play-by-play man Jim Ross (or J.R., for short) can be heard saying the following in the background: "I need a Maalox - Maalox, please! How 'bout a Pepto'? J.R. needs Pepto'..."

By the way, the following Alliance members (and Lillian, of coourse) are in the ring (in no particular order): Austin, Steph, Heyman, Debra, Tommy Dreamer, Justin Credible, Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Tazz, Buh Buh Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Sean O'Haire, Chuck Palumbo, Raven, Terri, Hurricane Helms, Kanyon, Ivory, Stacy Keibler, Rhyno, Test, Mike Awesome, Hugh Morrus

The Titan Tron has a format like "follow the bouncing ball," as a mini cutout of Stone Cold's head bounces over each of the words as the song goes on. Lillian begins, singing with her usual beautiful voice:

"It's very cold here in your shadow,
But you spread sunlight [J.R.'s heard: "Will ya' look at that?"] on our face..."

Lillian is barely audible, so Stephanie interrupts and asks, "Okay...no no no Lillian - I'm sorry. Please stop. [Many Alliance members in the background are shown "booing" Lillian and doing thumbs-down gestures] Stop - stop the music, please. Lillian, where's your heart? Where's your soul? This is a song for the leader of The Alliance, Stone Cold Steve Austin. No offense, Lillian, but we need a singer the likes of...Barbara Streisand! We need a singer the likes of Bette Midler, herself! And I know that singer...Ladies and gentleman, allow me [all the Alliance members go nuts, cheering their heads off, while J.R. is heard saying, "Oh, no! Not that!"] to lead you in song. Please start the - start the song from the beginning..." As most of the Alliance members have their arms around oneanother and are swaying from side to side with the music, Steph sings in an incredible high-pitched and annoying voice [Please note that, all the while that she and the other members are singing, Austin is absolutely beaming with a huge smile. Also, throughout the whole thing, Lillian Garcia is being forced to sway along with The Alliance and clap at the same time.]:

[Stephanie:] "It's very cold here in your shadow...,
But you spread sunlight on our face,
We are content to let you shine...,
That's our way,
We always walk one step behind...,
Sing it, Chavo!
[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.:] You are the one with all the glory...,
[Steph:] That's right! All the glory! Now, Terri!
[Terri:] You are the one with all the fame,
[Steph:] ALL THE FAME! Raven!
[Raven:] A beautiful face that has no shaaaaaame,
[Steph:] No shame! No shame! Justin!
Justin Credible:] A beautiful smile... [words get muffled]
[Steph:] Angle's in pain...,
EVERYBODY! Did you ever know that you're our hero...,
You're everything we...[Steph starts screaming] would like to be [Steph's voice goes begins rasping]...,
We can fly higher than an eagle,
'Cause you are the wind beneath our ring...,
Oh, yes! Oh, yes!
'Cause you are the wind...beneath our...ring..."

Austin puts the cookie tray down onto the mat, just as the bouncing Austin head enlarges until it fills a good part of the Titan Tron screen. J.R.'s heard: "Well, at least it's over." All the Alliance members cheer. Steph speaks again: "YES! That's for you, Stone Cold - we put that together for you." She hands Austin the mic and he speaks, with the Alliance members cheering all the while: "Thank you. This is...this is one of the proudest moments of my life. I look in this ring and I see family! I see - I see people I can feel good with - People that appreciate me - People that love me. It's a family, and I'm gonna' tell you something from the bottom of my heart: When I was beatin' the living hell out of Kurt Angle last night, I did it - I did it for you. I did it for each and every one of you. [tons of cheers from Alliance members are heard, while the crowd begins an "Angle!" chant at the same time] "I did it for the Alliance! Look 'atcha, ya make me so proud - everybody's got an ECW/WW...WCW/Stone Cold shirt on - everybody's flyin'..."

Suddlenly, Austin stops. He's looking straight at Tazz, who's not wearing a Stone Cold shirt, but instead his own orange and black shirt. J.R.: "Uh-oh...Uh-oh..." Tazz is realizing his mistake. Austin: "What are you doin'? What? What kinda shirt is that on your chest? What? What kinda shirt is that? What? Is that a Stone Cold shirt? Is that an ECW shirt? Is that a WCW shirt? What? I thought we were here to appreciate Stone Cold Steve Austin, what? I said I thought we were here to appreciate Stone Cold Steve Austin? What?" Austin rips off the shirt. "Take that stupid shirt off! Take that shirt off. What? I said take the damn shirt off. You're damn right it's your bad, take the stupid shirt off. I wanna..."

Kurt Angle's "Medal" music hits, to the delight of most of the fans. He's not out after a few second's though...Wait a second...Kurt Angle is driving a milk truck down to the ring! He backs up slightly, and then gets out and begins hurling "Crystal" (that's the kind of milk) milk cartons into the ring, getting several Alliance members wet! Shawn Stasiak quickly climbs out of the ring and charges Angle, but Angle simply steps out of the way and pushes Stasiak into the front of the milk truck, making him slip and fall on his back. WOOO! Angle just took a hose out of the truck and is spraying gallons and gallons of milk out of it!!! It's going all over The Alliance!!! All of the Alliance members (except for Austin) are continually slipping and falling right on their behinds! The milks even going onto J.R. and the first few rows of fans!!!

J.R.: "Milkamania is running wild! It's milkman madness! My God! You've got milk! The Million Dollar Prince [Steph; He meant "princess," but didn't really get the "ss" part out] has become a Dairy Queen!" Almost all of the Alliance members have slipped and are lying on their backs (except Austin). Angle takes out a red, white, and blue cooler from the truck, climbs up onto the front hood, takes out two quarts of milk, and starts showering himself in it, drinking it like Austin would drink beer!!! He then tosses the cartons into the ring and continues soiling himself in some more quarts! Austin has a stern face on, looking as if he couldn't believe what was happening. J.R. finishes off the night with another classic line: ""Kurt Angle is the Olympic Dairy Man! Milkomania has run wild on RAW! Stone Cold will not forget this night!"

With that, the WWF Warzone credits appear in the left corner of the screen, and then we cut to the WWF logo for a second or so, before the show goes off the air completely.

This was an absolutely classic segment. Not only did The Alliance sing their "Wind Beneath Our Ring" song, but Kurt Angle invaded the arena in a milk truck, soiling all in and near the ring in milk. This was an obvious reference to Stone Cold's invasion in 1999 when he came out in a beer truck and soaked The Rock and Vince McMahon in beer. It was a classic occurrence, and I'm glad I got it on tape. The RAW's the night after Pay-Per-Views are usually exciting, but rarely this entertaining. It was also a great way to further The Alliance's heat and increase Angle's popularity.

Partial credit goes to Christopher Robin Zimmerman of OtherArena.com.