WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has once again addressed the online backlash he received for his recent comments regarding the incident between Raja Jackson and Syko Stu. RVD blasted his critics as “cyber bullies” and “simple-minded” individuals who can’t handle a differing opinion.
The controversy began when RVD, on his podcast, seemed to offer an explanation for Jackson’s actions, a take that was met with widespread criticism from fans who felt he was defending the assault. RVD has since doubled and now tripled down on his stance, refusing to apologize for his opinion and instead choosing to critique the “oversensitive” nature of the online wrestling community.
On the TMZ Inside The Ring podcast, RVD was clearly frustrated as he discussed the reaction to his comments. He accused his critics of being “basic thinkers” who are unable to comprehend a nuanced opinion and stated that they aren’t “real people.”
“To answer your question about responding to the internet mark community, first off, they’re not real people… The real people say things to your face. You know, right? Bullies. Look for targets that are weaker physically, in person and on the internet, the bullies can reach anybody because they can’t reach them… That’s a problem for the Internet Mark community, you’re not allowed to have an opinion that’s different from theirs… They feel obligated to send all kinds of just toxic junk.”
RVD then gave his analysis of Raja Jackson’s mindset during the attack. While he acknowledged that Jackson “definitely went too far,” he does not believe that his intent was to commit murder, a term he feels his critics have become “in love with.”
“They’re in love with the words, people that are on this argument, that have taken so passionately and sensitively to it, to something that I totally don’t care as much as you do about it… I don’t really think that that Raja wanted to kill him, and I don’t care if I get heat for that, by the way, if I’m wrong, I don’t mind being wrong either… He definitely went too far. He should have known that could do some serious damage. I don’t think that his intention was to actually murder him. And I really don’t think most of the people that are even talking about this or thinking about this, think that his intent was to actually murder him.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
