WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam weighed in on the longstanding debate over unionising professional wrestling, explaining why he believes it would not work for the industry.
Speaking on his 1 Of A Kind With RVD podcast, Rob Van Dam offered a candid perspective, drawing on his 35 years of experience in the wrestling business. While acknowledging the benefits unions may bring to other industries, RVD clarified that his views are specific to professional wrestling.
I don’t know that I would say that I dislike unions, mostly when I’m having discussions about unions it has to do with my business, my industry, that I’ve been in for like 35 years.
Van Dam argued that a union would be incompatible with the unique structure of professional wrestling.
I don’t see a union being a good thing and working cohesively with pro wrestling. I’ve never understood it and I still don’t. So, I’m not a fan of it, and when it comes to wrestlers wanting a union, I don’t get it. So, I’m not pro-union, that’s for sure.
The idea of a wrestlers union has been a recurring topic in the industry starting with Jesse Ventura in 1986, with supporters arguing it could lead to improved healthcare, job security, and standardised working conditions. Critics, however, have pointed to the wrestling industry’s independent contractor model and the varying contracts across companies as significant challenges to unionisation.
Why Did Rob Van Dam Say He Was Disappointed With His WWE Hall Of Fame Induction?
Rob Van Dam spoke about why his WWE Hall of Fame induction was disappointing due to the fact it took place in 2021 when COVID-19 restrictions were still in place so they didn’t have a crowd for that Hall of Fame class. Van Dam said that he was also disappointed after being told he could only have three to five minutes for his Hall of Fame speech when in the past some inductees have had vastly longer speeches.
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