When World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and ECW were purchased by the WWF in 2001, the wrestlers from both promotions joined and formed The Alliance and invaded the WWF in mid-2001 (dubbed as "The Invasion"). As a result, Angle turned face and began a storyline where he joined forces with WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to repel them. At the Invasion event, Angle and Austin captained a team of five WWF superstars against five handpicked members of the Alliance. Team WWF lost to Team Alliance when Austin turned on his team to join the Alliance.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 108) After winning and losing the WCW Championship, WCW United States Championship and the WWF Hardcore Championship in matches with Alliance members, Angle defeated Austin in a SummerSlam rematch to win his second WWF Championship at Unforgiven.2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 109) Angle lost the title back to Austin on the October 8 episode of Raw. On the October 29 episode of Raw, Angle subsequently turned heel again and joined the Alliance himself. Angle later ultimately returned to the WWF side by enabling The Rock to defeat Austin in a "Winner Takes All" match between the WWF and The Alliance at Survivor Series.
