In the 1990s, few wrestlers transformed the wrestling world like Rob Van Dam. Following his breakout success in ECW, Van Dam joined WWE in 2001 amid the Invasion storyline. Although most WCW and ECW stars struggled during this storyline, RVD managed to capture a new fanbase.
WWE fans quickly embraced Van Dam’s thrilling matches and distinctive style, seeing him as a key player for nearly ten years. Throughout his legendary WWE tenure, RVD delivered many unforgettable bouts against top opponents, with several matches standing out as highlights of his career.
At Survivor Series 2002, WWE took a risk by featuring six wrestlers in the Elimination Chamber match. Van Dam was the first to be eliminated but made a strong impression by entering the chamber early. Fans recall his botched Frog Splash that injured Triple H’s throat, but RVD also set the tone for the match’s unpredictable and exciting nature. Shawn Michaels went on to win the inaugural Elimination Chamber match.
In 2001, WWE steadily pushed Van Dam as fans grew enamored with him. He was unique as the only member of the WCW/ECW Alliance portraying a heroic character throughout, never switching to WWE’s side. Unforgiven 2001 showcased one of RVD’s early big tests against Chris Jericho, where both excelled in a hardcore match with Stephanie McMahon assisting Van Dam’s victory.
The ECW brand under WWE struggled in 2006, yet it started strong with Van Dam shocking John Cena to win the WWE Championship and revive the ECW World title. Despite the brand’s decline due to Vince McMahon’s waning interest, RVD delivered intense matches, including a brutal battle against Hardcore Holly, where Holly bled from a cut that added a terrifying element to the contest. RVD emerged as the victor.
Van Dam reached a milestone by winning his first major PPV main event at No Mercy 2001. The triple threat for the WWE Championship against Steve Austin and Kurt Angle featured rich storytelling, highlighting tensions between Austin and RVD regarding his loyalty to the Alliance. Though RVD didn’t win, he earned the crowd’s respect as a main event contender.
RVD’s agility made him ideal for ladder matches, exemplified in his feud with Eddie Guerrero over the Intercontinental Championship during the Ruthless Aggression era. Their ladder match on Monday Night Raw featured a notable moment when a fan interference led to Guerrero punching the spectator, but the match is best remembered for RVD’s win and both competitors giving their all.
Christian, after splitting from Edge, became a top villain, and his ladder match against Van Dam on Raw was hailed as one of the best TV main events ever. Thanks to his fan support, RVD continued to headline shows even when not in the world title picture.
One Night Stand 2006 featured one of WWE’s boldest moves, with Van Dam challenging John Cena for the WWE Championship in an ECW-themed PPV. The crowd’s reaction was incredible, loudly supporting Van Dam and booing Cena. RVD’s victory marked his first WWE Championship win and showcased him as a true hero of the event.
Van Dam’s first significant WWE rivalry was with Jeff Hardy for the Hardcore Championship during the Invasion era. Although WWE painted most WCW/ECW wrestlers as villains, RVD emerged as a surprising fan favorite. Their brawl at the Invasion PPV captivated the audience and firmly established RVD as a major star in WWE.
Fan Take: Rob Van Dam’s career moments highlight how a uniquely talented and charismatic wrestler can transcend storylines and fan expectations to become a beloved icon. For WWE fans, revisiting these matches serves as a reminder of the excitement and unpredictability RVD brought to the sport, influencing future generations of performers.
