Jim Ross has poured cold water on the rumours that former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam was reckless in the ring, saying no WWE Superstar ever told him that.
Rob Van Dam was indeed one of a kind in the wrestling ring and following a stellar career in ECW, ‘Mr. Monday Night’ made his way to WWE in 2001 as part of the Invasion storyline.
A popular addition to the WWE roster right away in the eyes of fans, Van Dam has had to persist with rumours over the years that his in-ring style was dangerous.
According to former WWE Head Of Talent Relations Jim Ross, speaking on his Grilling JR podcast [available early and ad-free at AdFreeShows.com] with co-host Conrad Thompson, has dismissed those claims although he says some may have told WWE Chairman Vince McMahon that for their own nefarious reasons:
“I thought he was a great get for us and still do, but some of his peers saw they were gonna lose maybe a notch on their gun here and they were more than happy to share with Vince [McMahon], ‘Oh, he’s dangerous, the boys are not gonna wanna work with him.’ I never had one guy – and I would have gotten that conversation – I never had one guy, Conrad, come to me and say, ‘Hey, JR, we’re doing this house show run. Can you not book me with Van Dam because he’s too reckless?’ Or he’s too dangerous or whatever.”
“Not one person came to me and said anything about that [RVD’s alleged recklessness]. So I know it had to come from the inside. Those little pieces of evidence [rumors] that left some DNA didn’t do Robbie any favors at that time.”
Rob Van Dam went on to capture the WWE Championship in one of the most memorable title matches in history against John Cena at One Night Stand 2006. ‘The Whole F’n Show’ was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame as part of the Class of 2021.