The rivalry between Steve Austin and Booker T is an underrated one that showcased the best of both performers. Austin was in a unique spot during this rivalry as he moved back and forth between the face and heel roles throughout 2001 into 2002. WCW being purchased by WWE led to Booker being the biggest name to join the Invasion storyline and beyond.

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Quite a few interesting moments came with Austin and Booker going head to head on more than a couple of occasions. Booker speaks glowingly about the feud with Austin helping him break out in WWE and have a rare great run for a former WCW star. Each of the following tidbits about the rivalry will shine a brighter light on Austin vs Booker.

10 Booker T Actually Helped Chris Jericho In Debut

The WWE debut of Booker T was actually a controversial moment in his career. Booker interfered in the King of the Ring 2001 main event between Steve Austin, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho. Shane McMahon trying to recruit Jericho to WCW led to Booker attacking Austin.

RELATED: 10 Funniest Steve Austin Moments From His 2001 Heel Run In WWE

The spot of Booker putting Austin through the commentary table saw some reports of backstage heat for injuring Austin. A WCW talent injuring the top WWE star in their debut felt like a horror scenario, but Booker bounced back without getting any punishment.

9 They Were Opposing Leaders Of Invasion Main Event

There were quick changes to the dynamic of the WWE vs WCW storyline in the Invasion. Steve Austin and Vince McMahon being heels as the WWE Champion and WWE owner made fans root for the WCW side led by the beloved Shane McMahon. However, everyone in WWE turned face and everyone on the other side was a heel.

Invasion 2001 featured Austin leading Team WWE as the WWE Champion and Booker leading The Alliance of WCW and now ECW talents as the WCW Champion. The finish saw things changing again with Austin turning heel on WWE to become the new leader of The Alliance.

8 Steve Austin Stalked Booker T In Church

The later feud between Steve Austin and Booker T featured Austin back in the face role. One of the memorable segments featured Austin stalking Booker outside of the venue looking to get revenge on his now hated enemy.

Booker trying to hide in a confessional booth at church saw him in fear when Austin was in the booth next to his. The segment did have a funny ending when Booker offered to give a ride to stranded nuns and Austin was held back by a long conversation with the pastor.

7 Their Feud Never Had A PPV Singles Match

One interesting tidbit about Steve Austin and Booker T having a lengthy feud is that they never had a singles match on PPV. The Invasion tag match that started with them on different sides is the closest thing to them facing off on PPV.

Austin was on the same side as Booker for the rest of the Invasion. However, the aftermath saw Austin working with names like Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho on the PPVs. Booker often interfered in those matches and had singles matches with Austin on Raw and Smackdown.

6 Vince McMahon Hired Booker T After Invasion To Attack Steve Austin

WWE had to find explanations for talents from the WCW/ECW Alliance remaining with the company when WWE won the war. Names like Rob Van Dam, Christian, Test and the Dudley Boyz won titles or immunity in other ways to avoid getting fired.

RELATED: Booker T's 5 Best (& 5 Worst) Championship Reigns

Booker T was actually a surprise return when Vince McMahon rehired him to help with his obsession against Steve Austin. McMahon picked one of the most credible names that just competed against him with Booker coming back to represent Vince and keep the war with Austin going.

5 Booker T Cost Steve Austin Undisputed Championship Vs Chris Jericho

The return of Booker T after The Alliance was disbanded came on the following PPV. Vengeance 2001 featured a one-night tournament between Steve Austin, The Rock, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle to unify the WCW and WWE world titles.

Jericho and Austin won their respective matches to have a showdown in the finals to crown the first Undisputed Champion. Booker returning and interfering on behalf of Vince McMahon allowed Jericho to steal the win and give Austin a new enemy.

4 The Big Boss Man Helped Booker T Gain Advantage

The Big Boss Man had a few WWE stints that featured him helping others against Steve Austin. Vince McMahon placed Boss Man in The Corporation to help him and The Rock in their battles with Austin throughout 1998 and 1999.

However, this was another change with Boss Man becoming a short-term tag partner of Booker T. Boss Man interfering helped Booker steal a first blood match victory over Austin. This win not only added a new layer to the feud, but it helped Booker feel like a top heel beating such a respected legend in any manner.

3 The Rock Teamed With Steve Austin To Even Odds

One of the more interesting matches in the Steve Austin vs Booker T rivalry featured a star-studded tag match. The Rock ended up teaming with his former rival Austin for a Raw match against Booker and The Big Boss Man.

WWE was on the road to the Royal Rumble match, and anyone involved in the upper card interacting helped that story. Austin getting unlikely help from Rock evened the odds and showed they were no longer at war after the 2001 issues.

2 Steve Austin Impersonated Fireman To Attack Booker T & Vince McMahon

The association between Vince McMahon and Booker T saw them taunting Austin many times. One segment saw McMahon and Booker in a sky box mocking Austin for being banned from the venue and having no way to get at them.

However, Austin found the most creative way to get himself back involved when impersonating a fireman. McMahon demanding assistance in their box saw Austin taking off the fireman outfit and attacking Booker to a huge ovation.

1 Proved Segments Could Be More Important Than Matches

Most wrestling feuds need a great match to culminate everything when looking back at how they end. Steve Austin and Booker T not having a PPV match didn’t see them trying to force a huge culmination of a gimmick match on television either.

There was a final match in a #1 contenders tournament to end it, but their actual culmination came in the infamous supermarket brawl. Austin getting that much revenge attacking Booker in an all-time great segment is how fans remember their feud today.