RVD interview

[Guest Trivia247]

Show: The Interactive Interview

Guest: Rob Van Dam

Date: 21st November 2003

Your Hosts: Daniel Edler & James Walsh

Recap by: Daniel Edler

 

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RVD Streaming interview

 

 

One Of A Kind… Rob Van Dam is our special guest on this week‘s show. As we inch closer to our 50th interview, our special run of big names and big comments is narrowing in, as we spend our fn show with the WHOLE FN SHOW.

 

Rob Van Dam

 

-- He was a huge wrestling fan as a child and at the first show he attended somebody advised him to go into the business when he hit 18, so that’s what he did.

 

-- A local kick boxer had a wrestling ring, and the guys who wanted to use it had to go through a rigorous kickboxing workout before they were allowed to wrestle in there. Aged 18 Rob hit a wrestling school and was trained by the original Sheik.

 

-- The name Rob Van Dam (Rob’s real name is Rob Szatkowski) was given to him by a promoter names Ron Slinker, whom he met in the USWA. He was then Rob Van Dam on television in Florida, and really wanted to use the name long term.

 

-- Slinker then also got RVD his WCW tryout in 1992, and suggested the name Robby V as they wouldn’t let him use Rob Van Dam. He never lost a match for a couple of months in WCW, until he was leaving to go to Japan. His first loss was against Vinnie Vegas, in what Rob calls “a TV title tournament or something”.

 

-- When he went to All Japan Pro Wrestling in 93 he realised that he would have a job for life should he want, but he came back to WCW. When he returned, Ole Anderson was in, Bill Watts was out, and there wasn’t such an interest in Robby V, so he just said thanks and went to work the Indy’s.

 

-- Rob felt that during his time in WCW he was very ‘green’ (inexperienced), and he didn’t really notice any of the stuff that might have been going on around him. He can’t even really compare how it was then to how it is in WWE now, as it was such a long time ago that he barely recalls it. The one thing he can say is that it’s definitely bigger now - when he was in WCW and they ran 2/3 shows a night, sometimes there’d be only 75 people in the crowd.

 

-- On the issue of a recent interview in which Lodi named RVD as one of 5 people he was in a room with when he was offered drugs backstage at a WCW event, but failed to name who was offering the drugs, RVD just said that Lodi has the right to offer his memories to make them more special, but he has no clue about the incident.

 

-- Talk turns to a future autobiography from RVD. There are definitely plans, but he doesn’t feel he could write one whilst he is working with these people as he think’s he’ll “p*ss them off”. Not on purpose, just through the stories he has and will be telling.

 

-- The very first day Rob walked into the training facility where Sheik trained him (weighing 185/190lbs), Sheik threw him in the ring with Sabu. Sabu ran tests on him for leverage and balance etc, and he was accepted in for training.

 

-- Sabu talked to Paul Heyman about using RVD in ECW, and Paul agreed to let Rob come in for an ECW Philadelphia TV taping. He wrestled Axl Rotten in his first match, and must’ve done something right as he kept coming back.

 

-- Rob says he popped in a tape of some old ECW matches with Jerry Lynn the other night, as a friend wanted to see some old ECW stuff. Rob feels the best stuff he can show somebody is himself vs. Jerry Lynn, as he considers it his peak.

 

-- He feels that he works his ass off nowadays, but not in the ring, as the work now is in the travelling. He used to wrestle for 30 minutes, but now he’s usually limited to 6/7. If he has 12 minutes, then it’s like “wow”. He’s away from home for hundreds of days a year, and doesn’t see his wife for all that time he’s away unless he takes her with him.

 

-- Rob said he felt that the reason he was never the Heavyweight champ was down to two things, 1). If the company had been around for longer he probably would’ve gotten his chance because he was the biggest draw in the company at that time, and 2). You have to have your eggs not all in one basked. Rob felt that he made the TV title more special than the World title, “because it‘s never a good idea to have a one man show”.

 

-- Right now, when he hears “RVD 4:20” he feels a tremendous sense of nostalgia, and he knows that when people say can he write 4:20 on something, a). it means they’re a fan of 4:20, and b). they’re a fan from that time-period.

 

-- During his time in ECW, he was offered to go back to WCW but he rejected it as he felt ECW was the place for him. He thought ECW was gonna be around forever and he’d never have to go anywhere else. He wasn’t surprised at the end when it finally closed, but felt there were ways to stop happening right through until the end.

 

-- He was unhappy in ECW when the money he was owed built up so much that he knew it could never be paid off. A common mis-conception was that people were flat broke whilst working in ECW; whilst that isn’t true (he was getting paid for certain things), he was at the top of the list so people below him had it worse.

 

-- It came to a time that Rob and Paul both knew RVD was leaving, so Heyman had to have RVD ‘pass the torch’ of sorts. Rob had seen Paul do it in the past with Sabu, and he only came back for the last PPV because he was paid up front.

 

-- When Rob heard about Mark Madden doing the RVD fingers, and calling himself ‘the only Mr. Monday Night that’s actually on Monday night TV’ he thought that 1). He was probably a big fan of his, and 2). He was a geek. If it was meant to compliment him, he didn’t really take it that way - as he says he just thought, “what a geek”.

 

-- He misses his ECW entrance music by Pantera, but likes the One of a Kind entrance he uses now much more than what they had him coming out to when he first debuted. His old music and everything reminds him of back when he was “the whole f**king show, not the who damn show - and believe me, there’s a difference”.

 

-- After ECW and working the Indy’s for a period of time, there was the chance of a meeting with WWE about working with them, and then bang, after that meeting, there he was.

 

-- Van Dam says he answers the claims that when he came into WWE he was working too stiff by saying it was the way he was trained and then the way he was conditioned on his first tour of Japan. He worked the Hardcore title during his early stages and so if people don’t know that they take the Van Daminator on the nose and not on the eye, they’re going to get busted open. The hardcore style encourages blood and when he had to start using his fists and feet busting somebody open.

 

-- He said the Hardcore title was his favourite in WWE. After holding the “Intercontinental, and I’ve had the whatever, European, tag belts”, he think he added a lot more credibility to the Hardcore belt than anybody planned and he thinks that’s the reason we don’t see it anymore.

 

-- “It’s cool to be the champ”, in regards to the IC title, but Rob says that as soon as he won that, fans ask when are you gonna get a shot at the World title.

 

-- Talk then turns to Triple H and his recent marriage to Stephanie McMahon (which is unfortunately omitted from the audio). Rob says that whilst H isn’t somebody he’s going to be sharing a car with or travelling with, he hasn’t got any personal problems with him. On his marriage to Stephanie, Rob says as a married man himself he wishes them the best of luck.

 

-- When asked about his match with Randy Orton at Armageddon and if he feels he‘s going to be used as a stepping stone to put Orton over (another question which has mysteriously disappeared from the audio…), RVD said that he’s got a job to do and he‘s going to do it well, so of course Orton’s going to be put over - he’s working against Rob, Van, Dam!

 

-- Since Shane McMahon and Kid Kash have copied the Van Daminator/Van Terminator, if he was back in ECW he would’ve had to better himself and out-do what he had done before. But today he doesn’t really have that same drive as he did before. But has he got anything planned to ‘unleash’ at the next Pay Per View? He’s “got RVD to unleash”.

 

-- He says that it’s no so much a restriction on him to not use certain moves, more that it’s a different atmosphere, different group of wrestlers and most importantly, different ropes. In ECW the risk meant a lot more, but nowadays it’s not so much the risk - he doesn’t wanna “slip or take the chance of f**king up”. On another note, he cant do the Van Daminator every night as the chair is illegal in WWE, and plus, he’s not going to waste a Van Daminator on a 4 minute match.

 

-- The 2nd most requested question from fans - what’s the status of RVD with WWE, and does he want to work for WWE or TNA? His answer - whilst he hasn’t hit the whole ‘negotiations starting’ phase yet (he still has that to look forward to), Rob knows that WWE wants to keep him, and he wants to work with them with a deal everybody’s happy with - mostly him J.

 

-- On the topic of NWA:TNA, for him, he appreciates TNA and hopes they do well. He wants them to build up to a larger level than people are expecting, and that other groups pop up too. Whilst Rob doesn’t see anybody building up to be competition to Vince, he says it’s important for there to be other selection for wrestling fans. He has a lot of friends who don’t have a contract for WWE, and he hopes that they have a good place to work as well.

 

-- We then move on to talk about Rob’s new store, 5 Star Comics. He’s been a fan of comics all his life (even though he tried to get rid of it, and cleared out his comics in the past - something he kicks himself for now), and tries to catch comic stores in each town, so it was a natural progression to open up a store.

 

-- He has a superstar there every month to sign autographs and whatnot, something that “those other comic stores” cannot supply. They had Booker T there the first month, RVD the second, Rey Mysterio, Tajiri and this month Ivory’s coming in on her birthday, and Lita the following month.

 

-- Rob then, at the request of Daniel, runs for a business card to get some specific information on the store. The address is 131 Lakewood Centre Mall, Lakewood, California, 90712 (right by Target, cause they‘re in a big mall), and the phone number is 562 531 3553.

 

-- Rob says it’s half comics, and half wrestling merchandise so even if you’re a casual comic/wrestling fan, it’s a great place to check out as there’s a great chance you’ll find something you have a want to buy - and don’t forget, Christmas is just around the corner!

 

-- The website, http://www.5starcomics.com will be open fully very soon. You can check it out now, but it doesn’t have all of the cool things like ordering online, etc just yet. Therefore, we at TII advise you to check it out and bookmark it for future reference.

 

-- One of our listeners met Rob at ‘Comic-Con’ earlier this year at his booth (the weekend before the opening of RVD‘s 5 Star Comics), and whilst Rob says he tries to go every year, planning so far in advance is a trouble when you’re on the road as much as he is.

 

-- We then play Word Associations with names such as Bill Alfonso, Tommy Dreamer, Hayabusa, Ric Flair, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon.

 

-- And finally, when asked if he knows who he’ll be facing at WMXX and who he’d like to face, Rob says he doesn’t know who it’ll be name wise as he’s the “last person to stick his head round the door” of a production meeting, but if he could choose he’d go against Christian in a Ladder match for his IC Title.

 

-- We then run into our after-show segment announcing future interviews as well as talking about our upcoming 50th interview in the upcoming 7 days.

 

-- Remember, the way to check out RVD’s 5 Star Comics online is http://www.5starcomics.com.

[haVoc 0]

He worked the Hardcore title during his early stages and so if people don’t know that they take the Van Daminator on the nose and not on the eye, they’re going to get busted open. The hardcore style encourages blood and when he had to start using his fists and feet busting somebody open.

 

You don't purposely try to bust someone open, jackass.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

It just boggles my mind that this guy still has a job

 

Enjoy staring at the ceiling for Orton at Armageddon, Rob

[2GOLD 0]

He worked the Hardcore title during his early stages and so if people don’t know that they take the Van Daminator on the nose and not on the eye, they’re going to get busted open. The hardcore style encourages blood and when he had to start using his fists and feet busting somebody open.

 

You don't purposely try to bust someone open, jackass.

 

He said the style encourages blood, and he's right.

 

Plus, the wrestlers in the WWE couldn't survive a Japan hardcore match. Some maybe.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Name me another company ANYWHERE where HARDCORE doesn't lead to bloody matches.

[1234-5678 0]

It just boggles my mind that this guy still has a job

 

Enjoy staring at the ceiling for Orton at Armageddon, Rob

It boggles my mind too. Since Vince enjoys firing the real talent he has, why has Rob been spared? And RVD should squash the shit out of Orton, who is not even a tenth as talented as he is. But alas, this is the WWE 2003 we are talking about here.

[KTID 0]

He'd better not re-sign with these muppets next summer.

[2GOLD 0]

Actually, I think whatever Sonia wants him to do, he'll do.

 

He sounds like he really just sees this as a job now, which usually means the work drive in somebody is dead and they really don't give a damn anymore.

 

It's hard to believe he would resign but it's also just as hard to believe he wouldn't with the way he seems to be looking at things.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Good read, he should go over to SD as there will be nothing for him to on RAW after the title goes to Orton.

[Guest CronoT]

Actually, I think whatever Sonia wants him to do, he'll do.

 

He sounds like he really just sees this as a job now, which usually means the work drive in somebody is dead and they really don't give a damn anymore.

 

It's hard to believe he would resign but it's also just as hard to believe he wouldn't with the way he seems to be looking at things.

It's not sure yet whether or not RVD has "lost his smile," ala HBK; but we all saw for a few weeks how RVD just kind of went through the motions in his matches.

 

He seems to be getting back into the swing of things recently, though. I also agree, unfortunately, that RVD will probably do a job to Orton at Armageddon; maybe even an embarrasing one.

 

The problem with Orton being billed as a "Legend Killer," is that to keep his gimmick going, they have to keep putting him over people he has no business winning against.

 

Maybe someone should start a rumor that Orton wants to go over Levesque.

 

Bye bye, Randy.

[Guest netslob]

Plus, the wrestlers in the WWE couldn't survive a Japan hardcore match. Some maybe.

 

most WWE guys wouldn't last in Japan, period. i'd love to see one of these "tough guys" like DeadWeight Inc. in Japan and watch him get his ass stretched and stiffed like no tomorrow.

[TheFranchise 0]

I'm not with it today, so that's my excuse for asking...

 

4:20?

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Plus, the wrestlers in the WWE couldn't survive a Japan hardcore match. Some maybe.

 

most WWE guys wouldn't last in Japan, period. i'd love to see one of these "tough guys" like DeadWeight Inc. in Japan and watch him get his ass stretched and stiffed like no tomorrow.

The man has tatoos on his neck and throat. I'm quite sure that Undertaker would be able to handle a few stiff shots and I don't doubt that he could give them back.

 

Now somebody like Orton or Cena would be dead in the water over there.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

God, he is such a mark for himself.

 

Van Dam says he answers the claims that when he came into WWE he was working too stiff by saying it was the way he was trained and then the way he was conditioned on his first tour of Japan

 

Well, Benoit was actually successful in Japan, and he didn't bloody people left and right, did he? Van Dam is just sloppy and reckless.

[Guest BillyTheStud]

[haVoc 0]

Okay, I haven't seen much of Japan besides bits and pieces of New and All Japan. How stiff are they really? I've seen the main event guys lay some shots in, but the junior weight guys don't seem that stiff.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I'm not with it today, so that's my excuse for asking...

 

4:20?

420 is the police code for marijuana usage. It has since turned into 4/20 (April 20th, which is the usual date for the annual festival for the legalization of marijuana) and 4:20 (which is a time of the day when many stoners will smoke marijuana).

[NoCalMike 0]

Well, Benoit was actually successful in Japan, and he didn't bloody people left and right, did he? Van Dam is just sloppy and reckless.

Benoit didn't "bloody people", he just dumped Sabu on his head, breaking his neck, but hell, I guess that is what happens when GOD throws you up in the air, and it means Sabu is a just a pussy, yet a bloody nose or puffy cheek is worth getting buried over.

[Guest RickyB]

God, he is such a mark for himself.

 

Van Dam says he answers the claims that when he came into WWE he was working too stiff by saying it was the way he was trained and then the way he was conditioned on his first tour of Japan

 

Well, Benoit was actually successful in Japan, and he didn't bloody people left and right, did he? Van Dam is just sloppy and reckless.

He said it's the way he was trained.... which I don't doubt since he was trained by the Original Sheik. And it depends where in Japan he was working as well, if he was working in FMW then he probably was conditioned to work VERY stiff.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Benoit didn't "bloody people", he just dumped Sabu on his head, breaking his neck, but hell, I guess that is what happens when GOD throws you up in the air, and it means Sabu is a just a pussy, yet a bloody nose or puffy cheek is worth getting buried over.

 

[Guest Metallica]

Did anyone listen to the interview?

 

Those guys are the worst wrestling radio show hosts I've heard.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

 

Well, Benoit was actually successful in Japan, and he didn't bloody people left and right, did he? Van Dam is just sloppy and reckless.

Benoit didn't "bloody people", he just dumped Sabu on his head, breaking his neck, but hell, I guess that is what happens when GOD throws you up in the air, and it means Sabu is a just a pussy, yet a bloody nose or puffy cheek is worth getting buried over.

That was clearly Sabu's fault, Benoit was clearly going for a backdrop and Sabu tucked in midair. You can see him go for the tuck easily if you slo-mo the vid.

[NoCalMike 0]

 

Well, Benoit was actually successful in Japan, and he didn't bloody people left and right, did he? Van Dam is just sloppy and reckless.

Benoit didn't "bloody people", he just dumped Sabu on his head, breaking his neck, but hell, I guess that is what happens when GOD throws you up in the air, and it means Sabu is a just a pussy, yet a bloody nose or puffy cheek is worth getting buried over.

That was clearly Sabu's fault, Benoit was clearly going for a backdrop and Sabu tucked in midair. You can see him go for the tuck easily if you slo-mo the vid.

And not knowing how to take a vandaminator is RVD's fault? How about learning how to take the DANGEROUS spinning heel kick.....WOW, pretty difficult. I mean come on, 300+ pound roid monsters bitching about a fucking bloody nose? More seriously now, though; is it that hard to buy RVD's explanation that he was TRAINED to work stiff? I mean where are the places he worked before WWE, ECW, Japan & some more Japan. I am sure he was not working with folks who complained to management about getting a bloody nose. Now HHH's crushed throat, was a legit injury and I agree RVD should take the blame for that, however THAT kind of thing was a once in a career kind of fuck-up and it is not a normalcy for RVD, and never has been. Also RVD's gripe about the "different ropes" is totally legit, I mean hell just look at a cruiser match in WWE, no further explanation needed.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

Name me another company ANYWHERE where HARDCORE doesn't lead to bloody matches.

I could be wrong, but I thought the problems were stemming from him busting people open hardway ?

 

Anyway, the snippets above make it sound like he plans to stay with the WWE.

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

What i don't get is why i see some smarks in this forum that care if RVD busted somebody open with a stiff shot? I guess there are some people with a weak stomach that can't take to watch a little blood in their wrestling, maybe they should stick to cartoons or gay soap opera. Persoanally i could give 2 shits if he is taking heads off with a Van-terminator, they are wrestling so they are suppose to beat the living shit out of each other, now if a wrestler can't take that type of "punishment", then they are in the wrong business, but i still don't get why the fans fucking care if a wrestler is being too stiff, RVD hasn't send anyone to the hospital unlike Lesnar or Goldberg.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

they are wrestling so they are suppose to beat the living shit out of each other

No, they're meant to pretend that they're beating the shit out of each other.

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

they are wrestling so they are suppose to beat the living shit out of each other

No, they're meant to pretend that they're beating the shit out of each other.

So u love your wrestling to be faker than usual, good for you.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

they are wrestling so they are suppose to beat the living shit out of each other

No, they're meant to pretend that they're beating the shit out of each other.

So u love your wrestling to be faker than usual, good for you.

Faker than what ?

 

If you're busting people up hardway then you're fucking up.

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

And why do u care he is fucking up or what? Does RVD fucking up makes you sick in your tummy??Or are you paying for the wrestlers medical bills???Why does RVD stiffing someone affects you in your life??

[2GOLD 0]

RVD was trained by an old schooler like Shiek.....I'm shocked he doesn't break people's legs just to sell an angle!

 

It really does depend on who you train with on how brutal in the ring you are. That is legit.