With Pantera’s “Walk” playing, Rob Van Dam debuted on the August 2, 2023, edition of AEW Dynamite with the intent of challenging Jack Perry for the FTW title. The two agaves off on the August 9 edition of Dynamite where Perry retained the belt.
Rob Van Dam Isn’t Going to be the Bridge for Future AEW x WWE Cooperation
As always with debuting stars, their contract is a point of interest. The length of a contract points to the company having some plans beyond their debut storyline.
For a superstar—and active Hall of Famer—such as RVD who had gotten into great shape, the debut storyline is the safest possible booking he’ll get.
Rob Van Dam has the star power to take a loss to Jack Perry and keep on trucking without much lost momentum while it would boost Perry. Also, the fact that he’s on a short-term contract points to this potentially being a feud where Perry might walk away the winner.
Of course, odder booking decisions have happened in wrestling. RVD could win the feud and the FTW title and leave the company when his contract is up. This presents another interesting front to this signing.
WrestleMania 40 will be in Philadelphia—home of the defunct ECW promotion. It’s wouldn’t be incorrect to think that the Hall of Fame will be ECW-heavy or focused. While Van Dam was inducted in 2021, he could make an appearance at least to induct someone.
There’s also the possibility of surprise physical involvement at WrestleMania 40 and that would depend on the status of his contract by then or if AEW and WWE come to some agreement.
Whatever the case, this isn’t the catalyst for two big promotions to actually work together. It’s obviously not going to be another AEW x New Japan and the closest we’d get to seeing AEW and WWE stars on the same card would be memorial show participation or promotion offer matches.
The thing to remember is that RVD has gotten up there in age and while he’s held himself together better than many of his contemporaries—he’s still pretty banged up. He’s here for a limited time, not a long time.
What do you think? Will we see Rob Van Dam at WrestleMania 40? Will his contract be up then or can you see AEW allowing him to do the WM40 weekend?
Let us know below!
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