At the WWE Extreme Rules event in October 2022, Seth Rollins paid tribute to WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam (RVD) with his ring gear. The Visionary mimicked the veteran’s signature attire and posed in RVD’s classic ‘R-V-D’ stance.
RVD, speaking to Steve Fall for WrestlingNews.co, revealed that he had no advance warning of it but appreciated the tribute. He expressed that it was a cool experience to be the role model for the whole thing and sent Paul Heyman – who he assumed was responsible – a fist bump emoji to express his gratitude.
“It’s pretty cool you know, because they were in Philadelphia and it was some kind of Extreme Rules match so it was cool to be the role model for that whole thing, for at least Seth. I figured it was probably Paul Heyman’s idea so I sent him a fist bump emoji.”
RVD Recalls Finding Out About Seth Rollins’ Tribute
Asked if he had received any advance warning of the tribute, Van Dam said he had not, and instead found out via social media:
“Nah, I found out on Twitter the next day like everybody else. I understood it more the next day as I got a little bit more info and then of course some people are like ‘Dude they’re gonna reach out to you, they’re gonna bring you in’ and I’m like not thinking too much into it.”
Van Dam has not wrestled for WWE since 2014 when ironically enough, he defeated Seth Rollins via count out on the 100th episode of Main Event. Van Dam’s last appearance for the promotion came in 2021 when he was inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
At the Extreme Rules event, Seth Rollins faced Matt Riddle in a unique Fight Pit match, refereed by MMA legend Daniel Cormier, with Riddle emerging victorious.
H/t to Fightful