If 2005 saw WWE taking a step forward and attempting to focus on the next generation of future stars then 2006 was kinda like taking a step back and focusing on the past. The McMahons became a fixture of WWE TV again, DX were reunited and WWE made the decision to resurrect ECW as a full-time brand, based off of the success of the One Night Stand PPVS. WWE also rehired Jeff Hardy to reform the ever-popular Hardy Boys tag team. The Hardy Boys' old friend Lita decided to leave WWE to focus on her music career, and was buried via a humiliating Cryme Tyme sketch on her way out. Lita's best friend Trish also left the company, although her sendoff was actually (surprisingly) well-done. But those weren't even the biggest stories to come out of 2006. They were eclipsed by Rey Mysterio's Royal Rumble triumph and subsequent World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania. Booker T and Batista's backstage fight had the internet buzzing, RVD's career almost went up in smoke when he and Sabu were pulled over with pot in their car and a certain CM Punk made his proper WWE debut. 2006 was a happening year, alright. Inside the ring, things were mostly good and the single brand PPVs were still seen as a success (until December to Dismember rolled around). There were major things happening both on-screen and off but with all those huge stories there may have been some news stories you might have missed.
