Rob Van Dam was insulted when he was made WWE Hardcore Champion
Rob Van Dam, a name synonymous with the extreme and violent action that characterized the ECW in the ’90s, recently opened up about his feelings regarding the WWE Hardcore Championship. His sentiments stem from what he believes was WWE’s mockery of a superior art form that he helped pioneer.
“I felt like they were making fun of us in ECW,” Van Dam said on the latest “One of A Kind” podcast. This opinion sheds light on a significant era of wrestling history and how the star viewed WWE’s attempts to replicate what ECW had created.
The Degradation of the Hardcore Match
Van Dam’s disdain is rooted in the difference in philosophy between ECW and WWE. In his view, ECW made wrestling cool to even those who weren’t wrestling fans. The high-impact, violent nature of ECW was copied by both WWE and WCW, but according to Van Dam, it was often done poorly.
The Hardcore title matches on “Monday Night Raw,” seemed like a joke to Van Dam, diminishing the essence of what a Hardcore match meant to him. “RIP Crash Holly but it pretty much meant the hot dog stand was gonna get tipped over … the Hardcore match was something to laugh at,” he remarked.
Making the Hardcore Title Mean Something
Moreover, despite his initial contempt for the title, Van Dam was determined to elevate the status of the Hardcore Championship once it was thrust upon him. His hard work and dedication paid off, as he was able to redefine what the title meant within the WWE universe. His success in making the title significant led to its eventual unification with the Intercontinental Championship, retiring the belt in 2002.
RVD’s Continued Connection to His Extreme Roots
Van Dam’s extreme past is far from forgotten. His recent appearance on “AEW Dynamite,” where he challenged “Jungle” Jack Perry for his FTW Championship—a title that originated in ECW—shows that his commitment to the hardcore style is still strong.
His debut in AEW came at the behest of his ECW friend and rival Jerry Lynn, further cementing the connection between his storied past and current ambitions. Fans eagerly await next week’s edition of “Dynamite” to see this exciting match.
Rob Van Dam’s candid thoughts on WWE’s Hardcore title provide a fascinating insight into the mind of a wrestler who helped define an era. Also, his dedication to the art form, his struggle to make the Hardcore Championship meaningful, and his continued involvement in extreme wrestling paint the picture of a man committed to his craft.
Lastly, with Van Dam still active and embracing his roots, fans can only hope that his influence continues to shape the industry, preserving the spirit of hardcore wrestling that he holds so dear. His legacy in ECW and efforts in WWE will remain a significant chapter in the annals of professional wrestling.
