This week in WWE history (Jan 3-9) - Dolph Ziggler fired, WWE Hall of Famer returned to RAW

Day 1 was the first time WWE presented an annual pay-per-view on New Year's Day. This means that the news from years gone by this week is very different.

Several WWE Superstars have already announced their places in the Royal Rumble match, while the women have also had their match become an annual affair since 2018.

Interestingly, this week's news from WWE history is more varied and includes some familiar faces.

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#5. Bret Hart returned to WWE - Monday Night RAW January 4th, 2010

In November 2021, we covered The Montreal Screwjob and the reasons why Bret Hart left WWE in 1997. The former world champion was well within his rights to walk away from Vince McMahon's company and help WCW win the Monday Night Wars.

There is a slogan in wrestling "never say never" since even Bret Hart was able to make his return to WWE after the events in Montreal. It took the WWE Hall of Famer more than a decade, but he returned on January 4th, 2010.

As part of the appearance, the company referenced Survivor Series 1997 and Hart was able to patch things up with Shawn Michaels, but not with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

The two men entered a storyline which ended when they went one-on-one at WrestleMania. It was lengthy since the company was able to address the events of one of the most controversial nights in WWE history, and allow Hart to get revenge.

Bruce Hart was the special guest referee for their encounter which went on to become a No Holds Barred Match. Bret Hart pinned McMahon to win the match and get the closure he deserved.

In reality, Hart and McMahon have been on speaking terms since 2002, but their heat made for a good storyline.

#4. WWE signed Natalya - January 5th, 2007

Currently the longest-tenured female superstar in WWE, the former Women's Champion completed 15 years with the company this week after signing in January 2007.

However, Nattie didn't make her main roster debut until more than 14 months later, in April 2008. The Queen of Harts has been a core member of the women's locker room since, and most recently held the Women's Tag Team Championships alongside fellow legacy Tamina Snuka.

Nattie became the first and only third-generation female superstar to work for WWE. The company recently signed Simone Johnson, who works at their Performance Center and is the first fourth-generation female superstar in the history of the company.

Nattie is one of the only women in the company to have held the Divas, SmackDown Women's, and Women's Tag Team Championships throughout the course of her career.

#3. WWE fired multiple WWE Superstars on RAW - January 5th, 2015

Back in 2015, The Authority was wreaking havoc in WWE. But after Sting helped Team John Cena defeat Team Authority at Survivor Series, Stephanie and Triple H were taken out of power.

Vince McMahon made it clear that Cena was the only man who could bring The Authority back. And after Seth Rollins threatened Edge, he was left with no choice.

The Authority kicked off January 5th's episode of RAW and made it clear that they were out for revenge on every star that had bet against them. This led to the duo firing Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback, whilst keeping John Cena on their payroll to continue torturing him.

These dismissals didn't last long, since they were later rehired and The Authority themselves lost their power a few months later.

This episode of RAW was declared "John Cena Appreciation Night", where The Authority mocked John Cena's and abused its power.

#2. WWE Presents "Old School RAW" - January 6th, 2014

WWE presented a throwback episode of Monday Night RAW back in January 2014 which was highlighted by the return of Jake "The Snake" Roberts.

One of WWE's best-loved legends, Roberts had battled cancer in the years prior but was able to make quite the impact when he returned to help CM Punk and The New Age Outlaws.

Roberts then fought off The Shield before placing his snake on Dean Ambrose's face. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jake Roberts would be added to the Hall of Fame.

On the show, the Piper's Pit returned too, where Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper welcomed The Shield. Meanwhile, Sgt. Slaughter was seen twerking in the ring alongside The Great Khali.

WWE has a Retro RAW episode of the show coming up later this month.

#1. Triple H returned to WWE - January 7th, 2002

Triple H's illustrious WWE career was almost cut short when he suffered a Quadricep injury in the spring of 2001.

The Game had teamed up with Steve Austin to defend the Tag Team Championship against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit.

Triple H ran into the ring to break up The Walls of Jericho on Austin when he tore his left quadriceps muscle from the bone. Despite the injury, he finished the match and even allowed Jericho to put him in The Walls of Jericho.

Triple H was forced to undergo surgery to fix his torn muscle and then was able to return on January 7th, 2002. The King of Kings then announced his place in the annual Royal Rumble match, a match that he went on to win and headline WrestleMania X8.

At WrestleMania, Triple H defeated Chris Jericho to win the WWF Undisputed Championship.