Rob Van Dam: Celebrity Wrestling Involvement is “Insulting
Rob Van Dam Calls Celebrity Wrestling Matches “Insulting” to the Business
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Rob Van Dam, a legendary professional wrestler known for his innovative style and enduring charisma, recently shared his strong opinions on the growing trend of celebrity appearances and matches in major wrestling promotions. Speaking on his “1 of a kind” podcast, RVD expressed his belief that these non-wrestler participants, without proper training, devalue the immense physicality, dedication, and durability required to excel in professional wrestling. He feels its an “insulting practice” that undermines the hard work of full-time performers.
The “Insulting Practice” of Celebrity Involvement
RVD’s outlook stems from a deep respect for the craft of professional wrestling, a discipline he has dedicated his life to mastering. He articulated his frustration with how celebrity involvement can shift the perception of wrestling, making it seem accessible to anyone, which he argues is far from the truth.
“You have to be an athlete to be able to do it,” RVD stated on his podcast. “And so, like for me, it’s always offensive, because I take the perspective that in order to have a celebrity take a spot on a wrestling card, everyone else has to work around them to make it look like just anybody could do it. And I don’t like that, as not everybody could do it.”
He elaborated on the personal toll wrestling takes, highlighting the physical demands that are often overlooked when celebrities step into the ring.
“It’s always insulting, though, for me, like when people feel like it’s, like it’s easy, like we’re just playing, or like just anybody can do it,” RVD continued. “I always will feel defensive about the fact that my career took an incredible amount of physicality,an amazing amount of durability to be able to take,you know,a s-tload of punishment on a nightly basis,besides having the talent to even pick up the timing and have cool moves and any of that. And so I feel like a lot of that just gets thrown out the window in order to f-ing make, make this work.”
This sentiment underscores a common concern within the wrestling community: that the spectacle of celebrity involvement can overshadow the genuine athleticism and sacrifice of the roster. For performers like RVD, who have endured years of rigorous training and countless bumps, seeing the business treated as a casual endeavor can be disheartening.
Making Them Respect the Business
RVD’s views aren’t just theoretical; he has personal experience with celebrity participants and how he approached those encounters. He recalled a memorable instance from his Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) days when he and his tag team partner, Sabu, faced the rap duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). While RVD emphasized that he didn’t intentionally try to injure them, he made it clear that he wanted them to experience the genuine physicality of the ring, hoping it would foster respect for the profession.
“Before you even finish your question, it sounds like you’re talking about when ICP came and they came, me and Sabu beat the s-t out of them,” RVD said, referencing the podcast question. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Take it easy on them at all. And I broke Shaggy 2 Dope’s eardrum. He wrote about it in his book.”
He further explained his mindset during that match, highlighting the underlying intention.”Everyone knows that I didn’t go exceptionally hard on him, but I didn’t hold back either,” RVD admitted.”And we looked at them like they weren’t us,because they’re not.They even had wrestling training, but we looked at them like they weren’t us, because they’re not. If they didn’t respect what we’re doing before, they’re going to respect it afterwards.”
This approach, while seemingly harsh, reflects a desire to educate and instill a sense of appreciation for the demanding nature of professional wrestling. for many veterans, ensuring that newcomers, whether celebrities or aspiring wrestlers, understand the risks and commitment involved is paramount to preserving the integrity of the sport.
The Physical Toll of Professional Wrestling
Professional wrestling is often misunderstood as mere theatrics. However, the reality is that it demands an extraordinary level of athleticism, conditioning, and mental fortitude. Wrestlers must possess:
Extraordinary Athleticism: This includes strength, agility, stamina, and coordination. Performers are constantly executing complex maneuvers that require precise timing and body control.
High Pain Tolerance and Durability: The physical impact of wrestling is immense. Wrestlers routinely endure slams, falls, and strikes that would incapacitate an average person. Years of this can lead to chronic pain and long-term injuries.
Mental Toughness: Beyond the physical, wrestlers must be mentally resilient. They perform in front of live audiences, often dealing with travel fatigue, injuries, and the pressure to deliver a compelling performance night after night. In-Ring Psychology and Storytelling: Wrestling is also about performance art. Wrestlers must understand how to tell a story in the ring, connect with the audience, and build drama through their actions and reactions.
When celebrities participate, especially without extensive training, there’s a risk of them not being able to fully comprehend or execute these elements safely, perhaps leading to injuries for themselves or their opponents.
The Evolution of Celebrity Involvement in wrestling
The integration of celebrities into professional wrestling is not a new phenomenon. From Muhammad Ali’s involvement in the first WrestleMania to the appearances of actors, musicians, and athletes in various wrestling promotions over the decades, celebrities have frequently enough been used to draw mainstream attention.
However, the nature and frequency of these appearances have evolved. In recent years, there’s been a noticeable increase in celebrities not just appearing, but actively participating in matches, sometiems even headlining major events. This trend has sparked debate within the wrestling community about the balance between drawing new audiences and respecting the established performers and the sport itself.
The upcoming WWE SummerSlam event is a prime example of this trend. The event is scheduled to feature a important celebrity tag team match, with country music star Jelly Roll teaming up with Randy Orton to face Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul.This match is expected to generate considerable buzz, but it also brings RVD’s concerns to the forefront.
The Impact on the Wrestling Landscape
Rob Van Dam‘s critique highlights a broader conversation about the future of professional wrestling. While celebrity involvement can undoubtedly boost viewership and introduce wrestling to new demographics,there’s a delicate balance to strike.
Audience Perception: When celebrities perform, it can inadvertently send the message that wrestling is less demanding than it truly is. This can diminish the perceived value of the hard work and sacrifice made by full-time wrestlers.
Spotlight Allocation: Celebrities often take up valuable spots on major shows, potentially limiting opportunities for developing talent or established performers who have dedicated their careers to the business.
authenticity vs. Spectacle: The core appeal of wrestling for many fans lies in its unique blend of athleticism,storytelling,and larger-than-life characters. The inclusion of celebrities can sometimes lean too heavily into spectacle, potentially alienating long-time fans who appreciate the sport’s inherent demands.
RVD’s perspective is rooted in a genuine passion for wrestling and a desire to see it respected as the demanding athletic and performance art that it is. His comments serve as a reminder of the dedication, physicality, and resilience that define the careers of professional wrestlers, urging fans and promoters alike to acknowledge and honour the immense effort involved.
As wrestling continues to evolve, the dialog initiated by veterans like Rob Van Dam remains crucial. It encourages a thoughtful approach to integrating outside talent, ensuring that the core values of athleticism, dedication, and respect for the craft remain at the forefront of the industry. The goal is to create an environment where both celebrity appeal and the integrity of professional wrestling can coexist harmoniously, celebrating the incredible athletes who make it all possible.
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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.*