Rebooking the WCW/ECW Invasion: Part 7

Monday Night Raw - January 7, 2002

Shawn Michaels and X-Pac join the nWo on 14th January 2002, Raw

Triple H made his long-awaited return to the WWF after being sidelined due to a torn quadriceps muscle since May 2001. He said he was back and intended to win the Royal Rumble whether the champion is a WWF guy or WCW guy.

Stone Cold marches down to the ring and welcomes back "The Game." He tells Triple H he hopes his "leg holds up this time."

Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon both tried to get Triple H to commit to their respective teams.

Ric Flair challenged The Undertaker to a match on Smackdown. 'Taker accepted as long as his Hardcore Title was on the line and the loser would be fired. Flair accepted the terms.

Rey Mysterio debuted as a member of Team WWF to win the Cruiserweight Title from Billy Kidman in the main event.

Smackdown - January 10, 2002

The nWo open the show and say they are very pleased to see Triple H return. They say there is a spot in the nWo for "The Game." Kevin Nash and Scott Hall explain that the Kliq will ride together for always.

Michael Cole speaks with Triple H backstage and asks him to respond to what the nWo said. Triple says he didn't see and walks away.

Rey Mysterio successfully defended the Cruiserweight Title vs Billy Kidman.

The Undertaker defeated Ric Flair in the main event. After the bout, Vince McMahon fired Flair as per the terms of the match.

Monday Night Raw - January 14, 2002

The nWo advised Triple H that they don't like being ignored and once again advised the Kliq is forever. They introduced the newest members of the nWo, Kliq members, Shawn Michaels and X-Pac.

Michaels stated that he had been loyal to the WWF throughout the Monday Night Wars but ever since he was named WWF commissioner in late 1998 and underwent back surgery in January 1999, the phone calls from Vince McMahon began to dry up. He said his only loyalty is to his friends and urged Triple H to join them.

X-Pac stated he had not heard from the WWF after he was fired by Vince McMahon last year. "Screw the WWF" he screams and asked Triple to join them as he questions how many times his father in law telephoned him while he was out injured.

Rob Van Dam pinned Chris Jericho in a match where the winner could choose the stipulation of the title bout at Royal Rumble. RVD chose "Extreme Rules."

The Rock and Stone Cold beat Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall in the main event. Triple H was seen backstage watching the bout on the monitor.

Smackdown - January 17, 2002

Edge defeated Booker T to earn an IC Title match at Royal Rumble.

X-Pac beat Rey Mysterio in a non-title bout after Bigshow interfered.

Chris Jericho beat Raven.

Triple H telephoned into the show and declared he would win the Royal Rumble and the pitch from the new nWo was an enticing one but he also had family ties to the WWF. He declared he would make his decision following the Royal Rumble.

Eric Bischoff declared that Triple H's indecision means he has agreed with Vince McMahon that Triple H will be forced to compete with Sting for the final spot in the 'Rumble at the show itself as neither man want him to win the match due to them being unsure of his intentions.

Rob Van Dam beat Scott Steiner.

Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon both announced that they had invited former stars to return at the Royal Rumble.

The Rock vs DDP ended in a No Contest when other Royal Rumble participants ran in.