2005 was a great year for WWE, with the company creating a bunch of new stars and really delivering consistently when it came to PPV. 2006 was very different from 2005. Fewer stars were made, although the ones that did break through (such as Edge) managed to cement themselves at the top of the card. The two major storylines from 2006 were DX's long dispute with the McMahons and their associates and the return of ECW as a fully-fledged brand. Speaking of returns, the ultra popular Jeff Hardy came home to WWE after two years in TNA. Ostensibly over his drug issues, Jeff was given a big push on Raw. While there were returns, there were also departures. Trish Stratus and Lita, two of the most influential female performers of all-time, left the company within two months of each other. The way they were written out of the storylines was markedly different, however. And JBL transitioned from 'Wrestling God' and main eventer to Smackdown's best play-by-play man. It was a memorable year, both on-screen and off, but how did the company do where it really matters, on PPV? Here are 2006's 16 PPVs ranked from worst to best...
16. December To Dismember
The Good: At least it was short? In all seriousness, the opener between The Hardys and MNM was pretty damn good. Not a classic or anything, but a great way to kick off a PPV. Oh how it all went wrong... The Bad: Balls Mahoney vs. Matt Striker? Daivari vs. Tommy Dreamer? Kevin Thorn/Ariel vs. Mike Knox/Kelly Kelly? That's a pretty awful line-up by house show standards, but PPV? Those who ordered the event (not many) were insulted with the lack of star power and the by-the-numbers action. Only two matches had been announced beforehand - The Hardys vs. MNM and the Extreme Elimination Chamber. The Chamber match was a huge disappointment for a number of reasons. Firstly, Sabu was taken out of the match mid-show and replaced by Hardcore Holly. Secondly, the combatants barely used the weapons that had been supplied to them (and hyped throughout). Then there was the booking. Nobody wanted Bobby Lashley as ECW Champion, least of all Paul Heyman, who had originally suggested CM Punk going over strongly (nixed by Vince McMahon). The Rest: Heyman and Vince had a falling out over the failure of the show - in short, Heyman was upset with Vince's meddling and let his feelings be known. Vince, in response, sent Heyman home to sit out his contract. He wouldn't be seen again in WWE until 2012.
