In 2001 Vince McMahon bought WCW, and the invasion angle finally concluded when a tournament was held to crown the first ever Undisputed Champion at the Vengeance pay-per-view.
In the end it was Chris Jericho who won the tournament after he defeated The Rock and Steve Austin in the same night to win the Undisputed Title, but originally Kurt Angle was penciled in for the win.
Kurt Angle discussed the original plans during an episode of the Kurt Angle Show, and he noted that he was all for it when Vince McMahon told him that he was going to give the win to Chris Jericho instead.
“The week before the pay per view, I was still supposed to be Undisputed Champion. Vince McMahon had me pinned as the Undisputed Champion and wanted me to win the two titles. Vince came to me the week prior to the pay-per-view and said ‘Listen, is it okay if I give it to Jericho cause I want to start pushing Jericho and I think this would be great for him.’”
“I said ‘No Vince, you should do that. I think Jericho needs it and it’s a great opportunity for him.’ I was supposed to win the Undisputed Championship but Vince McMahon changed it at the last second and gave it to Jericho.”
Do you think Vince McMahon picked the right man to become the first ever Undisputed Champion? Sound off in the comments below.
H/T Wrestling Inc.
