Rob Van Dam was recently on the Unsanctioned Podcast with Jae Holland, Luis Vasquez, and Julio Jeune. During it, “RVD” discussed a number of topics including his documentary, dealing with concussions, and one of his last talks with Chris Benoit.
Check out highlights below:
Appearing at the RAW Reunion Show this past July while under contract with IMPACT Wrestling:
I thought that was very cool because that’s what Mr. Monday Night is all about. When I got that name back in ’97, it was because I was wrestling under contract with ECW and then I said f—, I belong where the true superstars are wrestling Monday nights. And then when I was on RAW television for the first time during that invasion angle, same thing, in WWE they thought I was an outsider brought in from ECW as a heel, but back in ECW at the same time, that crowd thought I was with WWE. But anyway, I liked that, because it represents what I’m all about and that’s just doing things my way and not worrying so much about rules and things like that, that can hold you back.
On meeting Matt Riddle for the first time:
When I met Matt Riddle, this was years ago, he was in UFC at the time. We were at a Marijuana Policy Project fundraiser. I used to support MPP pretty heavily. This particular fundraiser was at the Playboy Mansion. I remember Matt having one of those little tiny water pipes with a straw that folds down like an arm. It holds so little water that the water tastes really nasty. But, we were actually in nigredo (hemp) at the Playboy Mansion smoking that little pipe the first time I met him.
On AEW’s controversial chairshot to the head spot at Fyter Fest featuring Shawn Spears and Cody Rhodes:
This is the first that I’ve heard of it. The way I feel about it, is one, WWE took away chairshots I think back in 2007. They made that policy and they are the standard-setters. But also, everyone considers them the whole business. Whenever someone wants to go after the business in a negative way, it’s always Vince. They are not going after Ring of Honor and saying they need to give their guys health insurance. It’s always Vince. But the truth is, on the indy shows, they can do what they want and a lot of people still do headshots. The way I see it, it’s not the promoters telling them to do the headshots, that’s them doing it because they want to do it. As artists, I guess that’s okay with me if that’s what they want to do. But I want them to know the possible effects and damages. Again, as artists, if this is how they want to contribute to the show is by getting hit in the head with a chair, then I don’t think I necessarily have a problem with it. And again, I didn’t see it, but I don’t look at it like it’s the promotion, I look at it as Cody Rhodes or whoever you said.
On a concussion he suffered during the finish of a recent IMPACT taping match:
My last match at IMPACT was one of the worst I’ve gotten in the business. I went up to do a Frog Splash and I decided to do a 450 instead, which I haven’t done in like 10 years. I went up, did the 450, and when I opened up, my face bounced off the mat and I knocked myself out. I was out on my feet, so anyone watching would think I was overselling with spaghetti legs – I was so rubbery-legs. I was so out of it, that afterwards, I was talking to Dixie Carter and she asked how I was feeling. I told her I felt great but that I couldn’t remember the last few minutes of the match. She said, ‘Go see the Doctor right now’. I went over there thinking okay this is how we do it now. I went up to the doctor and he says, ‘how ya feeling?’ and I say, ‘I feel fine, but I can’t remember the last few minutes of the match,’ and he just looks at me and goes, ‘You do remember you just came and told me that a few minutes ago, right?’ That’s only happened twice to me where I’ve lost memory, but I’ve seen it many times on wrestlers that had matches with me who weren’t Rob Van Dam.
On his documentary “Headstrong” going in a different direction after suffering a concussion shortly before starting his comedy tour:
I didn’t expect it to be more than a few minutes or a few hours, but then it ended up taking up so much of my life, that the movie caught it perfectly. Originally, the movie was going to document a road trip, me doing stand-up comedy for seven days. And I showed up on day one concussed. I’ve had so many concussions throughout my career, but usually I just shake them off, usually it’s a few seconds and then I’m able to regain composure and continue. Very, very, few times will I still feel concussed after a match. But this particular time, it wasn’t a hard impact on my head at all, but like many other times, I jarred the back of my head and I had double-vision. I shake my head, usually I’m able to keep going. This time, I couldn’t shake it off. Eventually, I had to keep going and I finished the match. And then I waited afterwards to go home, and still, the effects were hanging on. I could see through either eye fine if I closed the other one. Three days later, I had the stand-up comedy tour, even though I was told I shouldn’t do it by Chris Nowinski. He said one, you’re not going to have the attention span to be on stage telling jokes, and plus, it’s going to stimulate. But you know, the show must go on. That’s the number one rule in show business, there was never even a thought in my mind that I wasn’t going to do it. But I did think I was going to wake up feeling fine everyday, even through the first several days of the tour. And I didn’t tell any of the fans about it because I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me or making a big deal about it. But, turns out it was a big deal and as you see in the movie, the viewers are experiencing it with me as I’m going to get my brain tested and learning way more than I ever thought I needed to learn about concussions and the symptoms. I said lets see what’s going on and maybe I can help educate other people. I’m really proud of the way it turned out.
If he’s ever had to go into a match while suffering from concussion symptoms:
Contrary to what John Oliver wants you to believe, I can never think of a time when I’ve been told to get in the ring when I was hurt in any kind of way. I just never told anyone I was hurt. We are independent contractors and that’s always been my policy; if I can work today and make some money, then I’m not hurt. If I really can’t do it, then I’m hurt. Now it’s different, and now that we’re learning about all the long-term effects of concussions, it’s more important to report.
Suggesting using cannabis to Chris Benoit in one of his final conversations with him:
I remember telling Chris Benoit in Mexico, one of the last times I talked to him, and I was surprised to hear that he was open to it. Not to him taking it necessarily, but him open to the research that I was recording and he was believing that it wasn’t that bad. I don’t remember him expressing much interest in his own personal use, but it was something that everybody knew that RVD is a stoner or whatever, and I’m telling him something. I don’t know, I get on my soap box sometimes and I start preaching. Chris was into it and would just say like yeah I don’t think that’s so bad for you. I was just getting through to him in having a conversation and he didn’t disapprove of it.
On not seeing cause of death mentioned in coverage much when wrestlers take their own lives and what it means for him:
Whenever it’s suicide, they don’t mention it. I guess that’s out of respect for the family that they don’t mention the cause of death. But for me, I hope everyone who hears this takes my word on this, if anyone listening outlives me, however I die, I want everybody to know exactly how the f— I died.
