Rob Van Dam On Problems Working With TNA Talent, First WWE Signing, Feeling Like He Was Selling Out

Source: The Steve Austin Show

On episode 368 of The Steve Austin Show, the legendary Rob Van Dam talked about being “cocky” early in his ECW run, how he saw signing with WWE in 2001 was “selling out” creatively, and have a difficult time working with other performers during his stint with TNA.

During the podcast, Van Dam admitted to being egotistical when he was with ECW in 1996 and 1997.

“I don’t know if it’s the self-perfectionist in me or what, but if I look way back, to like me, the me that the ECW guys knew and stuff, ’96, ’97 RVD, I think that kid was an asshole. I was cocky. Yeah, my values were different.” Van Dam added, “back in the day, I really did carry around that ego, that like, ‘f–k yeah, man. I’m the whole f’n show. I’m the best.’ And I had the freedom to back it up every single night!”

According to RVD, he has lost some of his ambition for professional wrestling success the more he has matured.

“I have way different values and the more I came in touch with that in recent years, the less passion or ambition I have for wrestling because that is part of it. I mean, back in ECW, let me just explain, so back in ECW, we were talking about when I was on top of that company, I was at a point where I think a lot of people, like [Austin], to be the top guy and be able to deliver those kinds of promos that you really think that, you’re saying, ‘I am the best. Is there anyone who can touch me?’ I think you have to, like [Austin says], believe in yourself, but also you need to be a little crazy to really believe that you are the f–king best.” Van Dam explained, “if I do a promo, to be the best professional wrestler, you have to be good at delivering someone else’s message. But, that RVD they are living through, ‘they’ meaning the audience, well, that’s my brand. That’s what I …

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