Rob Van Dam has had little interaction with Vince Russo, but does recall one big moment involving Jeff Hardy while working with the polarizing wrestling personality.
The topic at hand for this week’s “1 Of A Kind with RVD” revolved around the WWE Hall Of Famer’s storied history with Taz and the “pick a hand” moment, but Mr. Monday Night was asked about if he had any interactions with former WWE and WCW head writer Vince Russo. RVD had a brief run with WWE back in 1997 as ECW “invaded” the company, but didn’t cross paths with Russo long past even his WCW days.
“I automatically used to always just associate him with David Arquette being WCW champion. And so in my mind, I think about him not being healthy for the traditional business values. Yeah. I think of him putting Disco Inferno in a rubber duck on a pole match, which I don’t know if that actually happened or not … but you know that was a long time ago … we all grow and change and I didn’t know him then. Don’t know him now.”
One Of The Few Interactions Rob Van Dam Had With Vince Russo
The first time Van Dam and Russo crossed paths actually was when they were in TNA together. The one major conversation he did have with Russo left RVD scratching his head.
“He came to me one time and told me that he wanted to turn Jeff Hardy heel. And I thought that was the stupidest idea. I was like, ‘But I mean, me and Jeff are the top baby faces. Like we’re rocking the crowds. Like the fans are screaming for “RVD” and “Jeff Hardy,”‘ you know?
“I’m like, ‘I mean, I thought you wait until like things get stagnant until you do that? He’s like, ‘Well, we’re kind of at that point,’ which is what I heard about me, much later from TNA IMPACT.
“But I was not for it. And I was like, ‘I think that just sounds like you’re taking something that works and then putting a spin on it. Why?’ And he said, ‘Well, Jeff is really behind it too. Like he’s really looking forward to it.’ And I was like, ‘Really? All right. Well, s***. Do what you gotta do.’ That’s really like the only time that I remember actually like really talking to him is during that time.”
Please credit “1 Of A Kind With RVD” and Inside The Ropes for the transcription.