A former WWE Champion has been honoured as the latest inductee into the esteemed Hardcore Hall of Fame.
Several famous names have been inducted since the attraction was established in 2002. The Hardcore Hall of Fame’s purpose is to commemorate athletes who have contributed to the history of the 2300 Arena, which was unofficially known as the “ECW Arena” from 1993 to 2001.
Past inductees include Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Sabu and Terry Funk. Now the list contains a name that many would view as synonymous with the letters “ECW.”
Former WWE Champion Inducted Into The Hardcore Hall of Fame
At Battleground Championship Wrestling’s event “A Tribute to the Extreme,” former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam was inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame.
Jerry Lynn, a frequent opponent of Van Dam’s in the ECW Arena, was the one to induct him. Van Dam and Lynn clashed at several ECW events, including; Crossing The Line ’99, Hardcore Heaven ’99, Hardcore Heaven ’00 and Guilty as Charged 2001.
On the same night as his induction, Rob Van Dam took on former ECW wrestler Rhino in a singles match. The match lasted fifteen minutes, with Van Dam ultimately winning with his patented Five-Star Frog Splash.
RVD’s accomplishments in wrestling will have played a significant part in his induction. Aside from the aforementioned championship win, Van Dam was a focal point of Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1996 until its closure in 2001. He is credited as the longest-reigning ECW Television Champion of all time, holding the title for an incredible 700 days.
Rob Van Dam has been on a low-key career renaissance as of late. At 52 years old, he has competed in eleven matches in 2022 against opponents as varied as Mark Haskins, 2 Cold Scorpio, and AEW’s Dante Martin. Van Dam even made the trip to Japan’s NOAH to team with Masato Tanaka against NOSAWA Rongai & Super Crazy in July.
WWE superstar Seth Rollins recently paid tribute to Van Dam at Extreme Rules 2022, wearing an attire resembling RVD’s famous wrestling singlets for his match against Matt Riddle.