10 Worst WWE Moments Of 2006

3. Suspension Ends RVD’s Title Reign

Big Show Paul Heyman ECW 2006
WWE.com

Rob Van Dam couldn't have been higher in the summer of 2006, and that was part of the problem. After winning the WWE Title at One Night Stand on 11 June, RVD was subsequently handed the restored ECW Championship by Paul Heyman 48 hours later on TV. He was on top of the world, then everything came crashing down in the blink of an eye.

The double champ and Sabu were pulled over by cops and busted for drugs mid-reign. As a result, WWE had RVD drop the WWE Title to Edge on the 3 July Raw, then his ECW Title to Big Show on 4 July. As if that wasn't enough of a blow to his pride, they announced that Heyman had suspended him for 30 days. This was an unfortunate moment in Rob’s career, and it sucked for fans who had revelled in his win over John Cena at One Night Stand '06.

WWE moved on like nothing had happened (as they're prone to doing - today's focal point could be tomorrow's trash), and full spotlight was put on Edge feuding with Cena over the the top prize. Meanwhile, over on ECW, Show held the hardcore brand's biggest strap until losing it to Bobby Lashley in that duff "Extreme Elimination Chamber" match at December To Dismember.

Heyman acted like Big Show was the new face of ECW and deserved to be, but fans called BS. Fittingly. Without RVD, ECW struggled. Admittedly, the same can't be said for the WWE Title, but it's a real crying shame that Rob's actions on the road cost him and his fans a longer run with the top belt.

What might've been.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.