RVD, Did WWE drop the ball, or does he just suck?

[BigDaddyCool]

I've given it some thought now, why hasn't RVD won the title yet?

1) He can't carry a fued to save his life. He has a natural charisma about him, but he has never gotten past that part. In the high school hall way of life, he is always going to be that guy everyone likes, and says high to, and is at all the parties, but in the end you forget about when you go on to college.
His promos, which he never has anymore (I wonder why...not really) never went anywhere. "Dude, you need to chill out." "Dude, just relax, we got this in the bag." "Dude, Booker, take a chill pill, we'll just go out and do our best." Seriously, those are his speaking parts. Wrestling isn't a place to "chill out." If anything, wrestling, and being a wrestler is the one time stress, and being aggersive and hostile will get you places.

2) He was a big fish in a little pond. Face it folks, ECW was an over blown indy fed. The only reason it got to be where it was, was Paul Heyman. Don't get me wrong, the wrestlers busted their asses, RVD included, and they had phenominal matches back in the day, but that was still a small pond. And it isn't hard to shine when RVD gets to work a match with Taz or Lynn right after Ian Rotten and New Jack have a blood bath, and just hit eachother with keyboards and a nintendo.
Even if RVD got to use all his moves from ECW in WWE, I doubt he would be in any better shape than he is now.

3) He doesn't wrestle. Even in ECW RVD barely wrestled. And now in WWE he doesn't even use one wrestling move. He is a pure striker. Everything he does it a kick, punch, splash, or leg drop. He does those little flippy things to pick up a chair, or get out of the way, but he doesn't wrestler. Yeah, once in a while he does a suplex, or picks the guy up to mount him on the turnbuckle, but he doesn't wrestle. And maybe, just maybe Vince and company picked that up, and don't want to put a belt on someone that doesn't grapple, but that didn't stop Hogan from getting it.

4) He sucks and is still the same played out gimmick from 1995. Being a pot head hippy stoner is cool in the indy circuit in the late 90s, but in 2004 WWE, it has lost most of its edge when the guy in his mid to late 30s.

5) WWE just dropped the ball, and should have had him beat Austin back in the day.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't think there really was a ball to drop with face RVD. He's just sort of there, and he really makes the mid-card look good, but that's about it. If I were booking the WWE, I'd have RVD turn heel. Here are just some possible roles for RVD in the WWE:

Teaming with Heidenreich
Don't ask why, but I really think heidenreich would make a great tag team wrestler. If you pair RVD and HDR together, you could have a very interesting upper mid-card heel duo.

Alligned with JBL
I can really see RVD turning heel on Booker T at Survivor Series and joining up with JBL. I would love to see RVD be the "kid going down the drain" in JBL's words, that JBL "rescues" and gives a point to his life and career. You can then have an on and off team of RVD and Orlando Jordan, as well as maybe a main event feud with JBL down the line.

Full Blooded Italian-Americans
I would love to see RVD lead The FBI in a sort of "mob boss" role. Bring Chuck Palumbo over to team with Stamboli, add Tazz as a manager & Dawn Marie as a valet. It could be interesting.

"The Boss"
Why not have The FBI, The Dudleys & maybe someone like Billy Kidman join together as a heel stable? This could be really interesting, as a split down the road would allow for some interesting feuds and matches. RVD could be the leader of this stable, and maybe have Paul Heyman as a manager.

Anyway, long story short, I think RVD needs a gimmick before he can really ascend, or find any sort of long-term success.

[BigDaddyCool]

I don't think there really was a ball to drop with face RVD. He's just sort of there, and he really makes the mid-card look good, but that's about it. If I were booking the WWE, I'd have RVD turn heel. Here are just some possible roles for RVD in the WWE:

Teaming with Heidenreich
Don't ask why, but I really think heidenreich would make a great tag team wrestler. If you pair RVD and HDR together, you could have a very interesting upper mid-card heel duo.

Alligned with JBL
I can really see RVD turning heel on Booker T at Survivor Series and joining up with JBL. I would love to see RVD be the "kid going down the drain" in JBL's words, that JBL "rescues" and gives a point to his life and career. You can then have an on and off team of RVD and Orlando Jordan, as well as maybe a main event feud with JBL down the line.

Full Blooded Italian-Americans
I would love to see RVD lead The FBI in a sort of "mob boss" role. Bring Chuck Palumbo over to team with Stamboli, add Tazz as a manager & Dawn Marie as a valet. It could be interesting.

"The Boss"
Why not have The FBI, The Dudleys & maybe someone like Billy Kidman join together as a heel stable? This could be really interesting, as a split down the road would allow for some interesting feuds and matches. RVD could be the leader of this stable, and maybe have Paul Heyman as a manager.

Anyway, long story short, I think RVD needs a gimmick before he can really ascend, or find any sort of long-term success.

All those ideas suck more than Chris Sabin. Heidenrich sucks to much to get RVD. And RVD could never lead the FBI, he is a dumb polock not a greasy i-tie. And if you are going to lead a stable, you have to be good on the mic, which is the exact reason X-Factor never worked, along with the fact X-Pac sucks.

No, wait, I could see the JBL one working, that one could work real good. Decent work there, but you other ideas blow major ass. They blow more than A.J. Styles.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They blow more than A.J. Styles.

If you had said Lita, I would have really been offended. :'(

I don't really like those ideas, but it would give RVD an aura. And that's something he's been lacking. He adds to the atmosphere, but as soon as he goes, the buzz dies down. If they had him do/be something meaningful, he'd have more purpose in this business.

[BigDaddyCool]

If you had said Lita, I would have really been offended. :'(

I don't really like those ideas, but it would give RVD an aura. And that's something he's been lacking. He adds to the atmosphere, but as soon as he goes, the buzz dies down. If they had him do/be something meaningful, he'd have more purpose in this business.

Yeah, and the JBL thing would re-invent him, and maybe he could have a speaking part that doesn't include the word dude, or chill. Maybe he could give up the zen way and become under JBL a super grown up business heel, and start voting republican, because that is the exact opposite of what he does now. And then he could screw over JBL or something, and tell him that is just business, and go join evolution or something.

[BigDaddyCool]

Or better yet, become an assassin type character, and start stepping it up in the ring.

[Innovator]

Only thing than can save RVD is a heel turn. Just have him be cocky like he was when he was ECW.

[RP]

Vince will just look him over and say " Hmm rvd how can we get you more over and make you a title contender "

Vince : " Haircut !"

[Fox]

I'm gonna have to go with number 5. Do you even remember how over Rob Van Dam was during the Invasion angle? He was the ONLY good part of it after the initial invasion, and was having 5 star matches every week with guys like Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Kurt Angle, and Steve Austin.

This was before he was forced to tone down his style. If you watch maybe his first 10 matches after joining the WWE, and then watch the last 10 matches he's had recently, you'll see a distinct difference in how he wrestles. Before he would throw in new and innovative moves every match. These days it's exactly as you said: kick, punch, shoulder thrusts, karate kick, rolling thunder, 5 Star, pin (or job, depending on the match). He's obviously been toned down, and I'm willing it bet it has to do with the higher ups telling him what he can and cannot do in the ring.

I recently downloaded RVD vs. Jerry Lynn from ECW Hardcore Heaven, and it is one of the best matches I have ever witnessed. Van Dam was special for a reason. Not just because he was a "big fish in a little pond." The guy has a uniqueness to him that isn't there in a lot of today's wrestlers.

So to answer your question, the WWE dropped the ball on RVD.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, and the JBL thing would re-invent him, and maybe he could have a speaking part that doesn't include the word dude, or chill. Maybe he could give up the zen way and become under JBL a super grown up business heel, and start voting republican, because that is the exact opposite of what he does now. And then he could screw over JBL or something, and tell him that is just business, and go join evolution or something.

I like that and your assassain idea. RVD in a business suit trying to sound cool and getting fans to do the exact opposite of what he's like in real life would be an entertaining thing. I can just image fans chanting "Stoner!" when he's trying to send messages that drugs are bad, and that he's what everyone should become enthralled with becomming.

If he did go full business deal, I think he should rename a lot of his moves. Maybe something like the Republican Thunder, or the Five Star Stock Splash, but something way better.

[Aussie Skier]

I'm gonna have to go with number 5. Do you even remember how over Rob Van Dam was during the Invasion angle? He was the ONLY good part of it after the initial invasion, and was having 5 star matches every week with guys like Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Kurt Angle, and Steve Austin.

This was before he was forced to tone down his style. If you watch maybe his first 10 matches after joining the WWE, and then watch the last 10 matches he's had recently, you'll see a distinct difference in how he wrestles. Before he would throw in new and innovative moves every match. These days it's exactly as you said: kick, punch, shoulder thrusts, karate kick, rolling thunder, 5 Star, pin (or job, depending on the match). He's obviously been toned down, and I'm willing it bet it has to do with the higher ups telling him what he can and cannot do in the ring.

I recently downloaded RVD vs. Jerry Lynn from ECW Hardcore Heaven, and it is one of the best matches I have ever witnessed. Van Dam was special for a reason. Not just because he was a "big fish in a little pond." The guy has a uniqueness to him that isn't there in a lot of today's wrestlers.

So to answer your question, the WWE dropped the ball on RVD.

i agree.
i own a match between jerry lynn and RVD from hardcore heaven, and it is nothing short of phenomenal. he is so quick, and truly wrestles! To say he cant wrestle is incorrect.

however, he stle of late has been horrible! he is to slow in the ring!

[Funky Fly]

To put it simply, they dropped the ball like 3 times with him.

[LK]

I feel that the WWE did drop the ball with RVD. He was so over when he first came in and he should have gotten the title. His matches with Lynn were nothing short of spectacular and I thin khe could have been used better. He has been stale recently and a heel turn can solve that. It's not too late for a RVD/Eddie feud. Just drop Heidenreich from everything and have Heyman manage RVD.

[Jorgha]

I could never figure out why they didn't do more with him. Put in the right light in the WWE (even if it is his same gimick) he could be really good. But yes, he is just kind of there. He doesn't do much. You are sitting there going "Cool, RVD is coming out" then after the match it's "Why didn't he do anything notable like he is capable?" It's all really anticlimatic.

[Blue Demon]

dropped the ball for sure...i was a huge ECW fan and he put on top quality matches with people. THey don't necessarily give him that oppertunity nowadays.

[Hired Hitman]

An aggersive and hostile, Rob Van Dam... That is interesting, lets say RVD started getting pissed off at the way things happen, lets say Rey & RVD have a few tag team matches together and in those few matches, they mess up somehow, the first time RVD is 'cool' with it ( cool... maybe he could work an interview with Carlito sometime :shifty: .. ;) ), then the next week, he gets a bit more serious and says "alright, we need to do this right" or whatever, then one match he just loses it and attacks Rey and yells out something along the lines of "I will NOT be cool about it, I've been cool about it for ages, I am getting sick of this crap, I thought things would just blow over, but now I see I was a fool..." or something, a Serious Rob Van Dam, I could see that working nicely.

[The Answer]

Jim Ross is high on Van Dam as he is always mentioning Van Dam as the best wrestler that has never been world champ.Why not just have him feud with JBL because Van Dam is the exact opposite of JBL and Jbl despises Van Dam for it.The self made millionaire against the free spirit hippy/stoner

[MVP]

RVD is an excellent worker. It's WWE's fault for dropping the ball with him so many times. He had opportunities for title shots and heel turns, but he never got them, and was forced into piss-poor angles; if any angles at all.

As for the RVD business man idea, it wouldn't work because it makes RVD secondary to JBL--that hurts his character just as badly as the poor angles did.

[Loose Cannon]

They definately dropped the ball with RVD without question. He was one of the most over guys on RAW when he first came in and the WWE didn't capitalize. They even had to edit out the "RVD" chants on a couple of shows just to make sure us fans watching at home didn't notice how over he actually was.

He should of turned on Austin back during the Invasion and went over him. Same with Taz. Insetad they just became Austin's little puppets.

[John la Rock]

I only like seeing RVD in hardcore matches. That's why he was so good in ECW and with the WWE in 2001 because he would use various weapons and he could take incredible bumps as well. But he was always very stiff in the ring and busted open a lot of wrestlers.

Today RVD is stale and very repetitive and boring in the ring. As someone mentioned above, he should turn heel and join up with Paul Heyman. It should sky-rocket him right back to main event status IMO

[Mr. JL]

Fact is more thought and creative ideas have been produced in the last twenty posts by TPWW posters than the WWE creative/writing/booking team has done the entire time RVD has been under contract.

[SuperSlim]

WWE dropped the ball with RVD.

had the opportunity to pick it back up and then it dropped again.

then they received a rare third time to do it and dropped it. SO yeah WWE dropped it with RVD

[Rob]

They definately dropped the ball with RVD without question. He was one of the most over guys on RAW when he first came in and the WWE didn't capitalize. They even had to edit out the "RVD" chants on a couple of shows just to make sure us fans watching at home didn't notice how over he actually was.

He should of turned on Austin back during the Invasion and went over him. Same with Taz. Insetad they just became Austin's little puppets.

Bingo. They are so stupid that they thought they were in a position where they didn't need to create stars. Now they are fu</>cked. RVD can still be saved but they need to release the shackles and let him be the same dude he was when he came in.

[Gouda]

Ok, before anybody gets angry about the statements I am about to make, keep in mind that I have only seen him in WWE and have not seen him in ECW whatsoever.

It is my humble opinion that RVD is highly overrated. His punches and kicks (which make up most of what he does) look terribly weak. He doesn't wrestle. At all. In short, he is FAR from championship material. I wouldn't even give him the US title.

Now everyone seems to be saying that he was better in ECW and was "toned down" I say to you: If you have to be allowed to do all these presumably crazy and dangerous moves to have a good match, how good of a wrestler does that make you?

You know... I just remembered something. I actually have a tape with RVD in WCW (Robbie D he was called) and he actually wrestled. His punches and stuff looked better too. It was a fairly short tag team match though so I really didn't get to see that much of him.

[tucsonspeed6]

TO sum up my opinion on RVD, I think that he needed to refresh his character long ago, but because he has this internet following I think the WWE has been too scared to even touch the guy. Turning him heel in any way would piss off more people than they're willing to handle, and because of it he's been in this RVD void ever since he came over.

[Mr. JL]

Personally I want Rob Van Dam to get the hell out of the WWE because they clearly do not know what the fuck they are doing.

[CosaNostra]

It is my humble opinion that RVD is highly overrated. His punches and kicks (which make up most of what he does) look terribly weak. He doesn't wrestle. At all. In short, he is FAR from championship material. I wouldn't even give him the US title.

Wether you liked his style or not, the fact is they screwed up a golden opportunity to push a guy who way over and instead of doing that, they buried him deeper than a coal mine. They could have gotten a LOT of mileage out of him. Instead, they decided that it was more profitable to allow him to go to waste.

[Batsu]

Number 5 but replace Austin with LESNAR.

RVD was the first person I saw counter the F5 in a way that made one think he was going to get a 3 count on Brock...then Heyman pulled him out of the ring. RVD was THE most over wrestler in the company at that point. If he had beaten Lesnar back then...

[The CyNick]

I remember a TV taping here in Toronto, I believe it was leading up to the show where RVD got a title shot int he triple threat match against Austin and Angle. Anyway, point is, RVD was the most over guy on the show, and thats tough to do. Toronto is a major pro Austin town, and we're usually really tough on babys (watch Summerslam), so the fact that RVD could get over on the top guy of that generation tells me he could have been a major player.

They had two big chances to run with him. First was '01 with the Austin/Alliance deal, if he had stepped up and challenged Austin, and then actually beat him, I think that he would have sky rocketed in terms of popularity. Second was in '02 when HHH was handed the title. The whole point of the brand extension was get over new stars, HHH made the title look worhtless by having it handed to him, and it would have been sensible booking for HHH to lose it to his first major challenger.

One of the major positives about RVD is that he's not like every other guy on the roster, he brought uniqe things to the table, but he never really got a shot.

And keep in mind, I am in no way one of these RVD marks who thinks ECW was the greatest promotion ever created. I just know that he was over, he has talents in some areas, and he was never given a chance to run with the ball like many other less talented people have before and since.

[BigDaddyCool]

Ok, before anybody gets angry about the statements I am about to make, keep in mind that I have only seen him in WWE and have not seen him in ECW whatsoever.

It is my humble opinion that RVD is highly overrated. His punches and kicks (which make up most of what he does) look terribly weak. He doesn't wrestle. At all. In short, he is FAR from championship material. I wouldn't even give him the US title.

Now everyone seems to be saying that he was better in ECW and was "toned down" I say to you: If you have to be allowed to do all these presumably crazy and dangerous moves to have a good match, how good of a wrestler does that make you?

You know... I just remembered something. I actually have a tape with RVD in WCW (Robbie D he was called) and he actually wrestled. His punches and stuff looked better too. It was a fairly short tag team match though so I really didn't get to see that much of him.

I agree completely, even though I have seen a ton of his best matches in ECW, he is overrated. It is easy to have a stallar match with a guy like Lance Storm or Taz.

[Fox]

Now everyone seems to be saying that he was better in ECW and was "toned down" I say to you: If you have to be allowed to do all these presumably crazy and dangerous moves to have a good match, how good of a wrestler does that make you?

It wasn't the fact that they were crazy and dangerous moves, it was the fact that they stood out so much from everything everyone else was doing. For the past couple years McMahon and company have been trying to bring us back to a more mat based style of wrestling, something that RVD just wasn't put on this Earth to do. Thus, he's been reduced to his few high spots, and whatever offense he takes from his opponent. Gone are the days of his innovations and great moves.

I remember RVD used to do this fireman's carry front roll into the corner then hitting the split legged moonsault, all in one beautiful crisp motion. He doesn't do that anymore.

It's plainly obvious that he has been toned down, and not because he's "dangerous," but because he simply isn't what WWE higher ups want.