Rob Van Dam Contemplating Joining TNA

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As reported earlier, Rob Van Dam's WWE contract will be expiring in a few months. News is now coming out that he is legitimately expressing interest in leaving WWE for TNA and the independent circuit when his contract ultimately expires.

RVD was openly talking about it during the weekend of the ECW PPV, asking people if it was a good idea. Especially after some fans at the ECW PPV were chanting for him to go to TNA. Furthermore, several people said that his wife Sonya, who was in attendance at the PPV, was chanting "TNA" along with some other fans. As things stand now, the belief is that he won't sign a new contract with WWE, but things can always change.

RVD feels that Vince McMahon wouldn't allow the ECW belt to be put back on him because he thinks he's still being punished for his pot bust back in July. RVD thinks he did his time. Also, RVD's refusal to go on the Iraq trip probably didn't help matters, even though it was technically voluntary.

Bad news for WWE. Great news for everyone else.

Maybe talking to Kurt an seeing the success TNA is starting to have made him think. And Entertainment Championship Wrestling isn't exactly off the charts right now.

Personally I hope he goes.

If RVD jumps to TNA, its safe to say its officially a threat to the WWE. If RVD takes the path Christian and Angle did, thats 3 major WWE stars who have jumped ship. Maybe  not a threat $ wise, but its definitely taking some talent.

IF Rob goes to TNA I really hope hes used correctly. TNA has to remember about the guys that havent come from WWE, they have some major talent to build a great undercard and mold them into main eventers. IMO, if Heyman were to go to TNA and be given a good amount of control, the shows booking would increase drastically. Hes the man that can book all that wasted talent correctly.

At this point, why not? 

He's done everything he's going to be allowed to do in WWE, especially considering how he ****ed up his run at the top.  There is forgiveness for some guys no matter what, others get fired for a vase, RVD is far closer to the latter.  They made a mockery out of his idea in Entertainment Championship Wrestling and he just lost what you have to imagine was his strongest ally in Heyman.  There really aren't that many opponents for left for RVD in WWE to have a great match with.  Punk's the only guy in ECW.  HBK and, maybe, a few more matches with Edge are the only other matches I'd really like out of him, because you know RVD-London ain't happening.

So, I'm all for it.  If for no other reason than to get a crack at another RVD-Jerry Lynn.

If TNA were to score RVD and Heyman, my perspective on "The company of failure" in a huge way.

God I wouldn't wanna see RVD in ROH. Those guys will make him look like the average wrestler that he really is.mja2k3

It also doesn't mean it won't sell DVDs or tickets.

RVD in TNA...what ever...would it make me watch TNA? I dunno. If my Second favorite wrestler didn't, Why would my 1st one do it.

Now RVD in ROH...Its simple...People don't want to see RVD put on Technical matches...They want to see an RVD spot fest...the kind that go 30 minutes and involve a bunch of chairs and rebound kicks etc...

People don't want to see RVD put on Technical matches...They want to see an RVD spot fest...

TheGm86

[QUOTE="TheGm86"]

People don't want to see RVD put on Technical matches...They want to see an RVD spot fest...

keiblerfan69

As for moving to TNA, I don't watch either ECW (for obvious reasons) or TNA (because we don't get TNA in Australia) so it really doesn't matter to me.

RVD in TNA...what ever...would it make me watch TNA? I dunno. If my Second favorite wrestler didn't, Why would my 1st one do it.

Now RVD in ROH...Its simple...People don't want to see RVD put on Technical matches...They want to see an RVD spot fest...the kind that go 30 minutes and involve a bunch of chairs and rebound kicks etc...

TheGm86

If you want am RVD spot fest, watch him in TNA. RVD Vs Styles Vs Daniels Vs Lynn Vs Sabin Vs Senshi in a Six way Ultimate X match. (well thats my dream match) im not including joe because hopefully he will be top of the pile by then.

Or if Hardcore you want, Im sure Monsters ball or Barbwire massecre would suit him perfectly.

[QUOTE="mja2k3"]God I wouldn't wanna see RVD in ROH. Those guys will make him look like the average wrestler that he really is.The_Dude14

It also doesn't mean it won't sell DVDs or tickets.

This would never ever be good for Vince, WWE better think of something quick like bring back the TV, and/or The Tag Team championships, so more WWECW wrestlers have something to show for all they do.

But what would I do about the whole RVD thing I would bring the WWF/E Hardcore Championship back so they can have hardcore matches, so on a so forth.

[QUOTE="The_Dude14"]

[QUOTE="mja2k3"]God I wouldn't wanna see RVD in ROH. Those guys will make him look like the average wrestler that he really is.mja2k3

It also doesn't mean it won't sell DVDs or tickets.

hopefully we'll get an RVD/Heyman Straight Shootin DVD. or even better...just Heyman.

Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.Total-KO

Really!? didnt he own his own name? he was using it in ECW afterall. or is this another "team 3-D" incident all over again.

[QUOTE="Total-KO"]Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.flamingskullz

Really!? didnt he own his own name? he was using it in ECW afterall. or is this another "team 3-D" incident all over again.

I dunno, I'm just saying that most made up names these days in WWE get owned by WWE..those crazy critters and their trademarks...

But, there hasn't been a jump from a former WWE wrestler to TNA to date which they haven't has to give up their aliases so..

[QUOTE="flamingskullz"]

[QUOTE="Total-KO"]Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.Total-KO

Really!? didnt he own his own name? he was using it in ECW afterall. or is this another "team 3-D" incident all over again.

I dunno, I'm just saying that most made up names these days in WWE get owned by WWE..those crazy critters and their trademarks...

But, there hasn't been a jump from a former WWE wrestler to TNA to date which they haven't has to give up their aliases so..

Kurt Angle? Raven? (although it was long ago) Tomko (kinda) Scott Steiner (again kinda)

[QUOTE="Total-KO"][QUOTE="flamingskullz"]

[QUOTE="Total-KO"]Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.flamingskullz

Really!? didnt he own his own name? he was using it in ECW afterall. or is this another "team 3-D" incident all over again.

I dunno, I'm just saying that most made up names these days in WWE get owned by WWE..those crazy critters and their trademarks...

But, there hasn't been a jump from a former WWE wrestler to TNA to date which they haven't has to give up their aliases so..

Kurt Angle? Raven? (although it was long ago) Tomko (kinda) Scott Steiner (again kinda)

Kurt Angle's real name is Kurt Angle..Raven would be the exception because he actually owns everything he has trademark wise..Tomko is using Tomko instead of Tyson Tomko...

Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.Total-KO

[QUOTE="Total-KO"]Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.trick_man01

and people...and RVD spot fest is different then a normal spot fest....A bunch of counters then a spot...If you can't tell the difference...well then you suck...

[QUOTE="trick_man01"][QUOTE="Total-KO"]Doesn't WWE own the rights to the name Rob Van Dam? That'll mean that if RVD does go to TNA, he'll have to change his name to Rob Van Damm or Rob Van Damme, or just use his real name, Rob Szatkowski; which'll be a blow.TheGm86

and people...and RVD spot fest is different then a normal spot fest....A bunch of counters then a spot...If you can't tell the difference...well then you suck...

sounds technical to me.

i hope i'm not the only one who thinks that RVD is extremely overrated (pun intended, that's how i roll) and can't put on good matches anymore unless there is a better worker in the ring to hold his hand and put his spottyness in check (i.e. Kurt Angle). his matches are the same and his spots are incredibly boring.sephy37

Then again, he has been only restricted to what WWE let him do..maybe a change in company will aloow him to have more freedom and flexibility in what he wants to do, instead of taking a load of 'do this' and 'do thats' off of WWE.

[QUOTE="sephy37"]i hope i'm not the only one who thinks that RVD is extremely overrated (pun intended, that's how i roll) and can't put on good matches anymore unless there is a better worker in the ring to hold his hand and put his spottyness in check (i.e. Kurt Angle). his matches are the same and his spots are incredibly boring.Total-KO

Then again, he has been only restricted to what WWE let him do..maybe a change in company will aloow him to have more freedom and flexibility in what he wants to do, instead of taking a load of 'do this' and 'do thats' off of WWE.

dude, WWE hasn't restricted him, he's doing all the same stuff he did when he was in ECW (besides doing huge spots every 5 seconds off of something or into something). RVD's limited "wrestling" is what's restricting him these days.

take for example the match that RVD and Sabu had a few weeks ago to open up ECW...that was such a horrible match and should be looked at as "when spots aren't appropriate"