WNS Podcast recently conducted an interview Rob Van Dam, during which RVD talks why he is no hurry to go back to WWE, thoughts on being a part-time wrestler, his favorite opponent and more. The following are some highlights and you can watch the full interview in the video player below:
Thoughts on His Last WWE Run:
I had some good matches because all the wrestlers up there are really good and I had some matches that I enjoyed with Seth Rollins and Cesaro. But, overall, it was nothing like the run the year before. 2013, I came back after many years off WWE television. They promoted it strong. Like maybe stronger than anybody’s return before with the video packages of RVD coming back. When I came back, I delivered. Money In The Bank match in Philadelphia, that was awesome. That whole run I had a good time in 2013. In 2014, it was like they had nothing for me. No big intros, the writers seemed to not notice I was there. Like my music hit the day after Wrestlemania and I kinda just walked out like I had always been there. It was good but I don’t think there was a lot of utilization put on RVD. That’s really the big reason I’m not in a hurry to go back.
Thoughts on the Current WWE Product, Does He Watch It?
I actually don’t. Even when I’m on it unless I’m there watching in catering while the show’s going on live otherwise I don’t keep up with it. I certainly get a lot of feedback from fans because they’re everywhere. And everybody wants to tell me whether they’re happy or disappointed in what the wrestling product is. But you know it’s an art form. And the fans, it’s their job to receive that art expression and that’s the way it goes. The fans don’t dictate…i thinka lot of the judgment is okay for conversation when they’re amongst themselves. But, as a wrestler, I think that when the fans really think that they know what would be better of they were in Vince’s position. They think they could run a global billion dollar company then I tend to think fan talks would probably be more enjoyed among themselves.
Thought on His Part-Time WWE Status:
I think it’s all about balance. First off, it is the kind of business that if you get into it you have to sleep, breathe and eat wrestling. You have to compete with all these other up and comers that want it so bad more than anything else in their lives. And anywhere in the world if you’re talking about trying to make it to the level of being a superstar and you’re fighting against those odds you pretty much, to, have to have that determination to make it. So, guys like myself and probably Chris Jericho. But I can speak for myself personally and whole heartedly and tell you that it’s true for me. I don’t want it nearly as bad as those guys do. However, I have over 25 years of experience that you can’t replace.with skill, natural gifts or talent. That’s something you only get with enough time so we have that. We have a lot to offer. Plus, I’m a legend. I’ve impacted peoples’ lives in such a way that they’ll never forget. I get that because I was a fan and because I watched wrestling as a kid. Even if I hadn’t seen “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Even if I hadn’t seen them in the last 25-30 years I’d still recognized them if they walked into the room. That’s the way you ompact someone’s lives when you’re on their TV set in their living room week after week. Especially for a certain growth period in their life, that’s the kind of superstar vibration you can’t buy, you can’t get that anywhere else. So, you have to utilize that. Guys like that to draw and fans want to zee that. The you g guys that come up, they can be good, they can be talented, they can get the fans’ attention so they want to keep n eye on them. But, they can’t be legends or superstars without really putting in the time. It’s a balance and again the fans that theink they know it best, they look at it either way. The vetrans aren’t putting the young guys over, they think, or the young guys are squashing the superstars. No matter what you do, they’re going to pipe up and complain about it. But, when it comes to that, that’t the way it is. Like last time i don’t think any of the young guys had to worry about playing second fiddle to RVD.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
