Rob Van Dam offered a candid explanation on his “1 of a Kind” podcast for why he believes he didn’t capture the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H during their high-profile feud in 2002, despite strong fan support.
“I think back then, I didn’t have the right relationship with the office, and I think that’s an important factor too,” RVD stated directly. “Like you can’t be the champion and be an outsider and… not behind the curtain.”
He contrasted his situation with how CM Punk’s anti-establishment persona later worked within WWE’s system, suggesting his own perceived outsider status was different. “…Obviously, if you were the one with the pen… making the decisions… you wouldn’t allow… someone that’s fing calling you on all your shit and trying to destroy you and your product… to be in that spot. It’s got to be someone that you invest in, that you know you can trust.”*
RVD concluded bluntly about his standing at that time: “I really wasn’t that guy… even though the fans loved me… I can’t say whether it would have worked or not, from a lot of perspectives, but from the perspective of the office, I think having control of me and having a solid enough relationship with me to trust me, I don’t think I had that.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit 1 of a Kind with Rob Van Dam with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
