10 First Years In WWE That Went From Amazing To Awful
8. WWE ECW
If Punk's own path through the diminished C-show hit notable obstacles in the absence of Paul Heyman after the atrocious December supercard, it was only in keeping with the wider collapse of the brand in general as Vince McMahon took full unfettered charge and appeared to revel in trolling the browbeaten audience that had faithfully (and foolishly) stuck with it.
2005's 'One Night Stand' had been an absolute triumph, and the relaunch show by the same name the following year was far from a failure. Almost immediately the cracks began to show though, with the Sci-Fi show making quick creative compromises such as a Paul Heyman heel turn that facilitated an abrupt new title reign for The Big Show after existing titleholder Rob Van Dam was busted by the police for marijuana possession.
The aforementioned CM Punk push was a lone highlight before its dissolution, but even that collapse couldn't compare to the affront committed at the brand's expense in April 2007 when Vince McMahon dethroned the hitherto unbeatable champion Bobby Lashley. It was a traditional McMahon long game, with his comeuppance coming in brutal fashion just over a month later, but his 35 days with the title did damage enough. Joke champion, joke title, joke brand.
Despite the best efforts of many, there was no way back for the show after that.