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WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has discussed backstage culture. He explained why some WWE stars were afraid to speak up. RVD also compared WWE’s environment with AEW’s approach to wrestling.
Speaking on his 1 of a Kind with RVD show, Van Dam was asked about potentially appearing in AEW again. The discussion also touched on AEW’s recent growth and roster. Van Dam praised the promotion for establishing itself over time.
He said, “They’ve definitely proven themselves, you know. Like, it was so easy when they first came out to be like, “Yeah, well, let’s see how long they stick around.” And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with any of us, you know, that felt that way, because promotions over the years come up all the time. Oh, they got Major League Baseball money. This shit’s for real, and they got this and this, and it never lasts.”
He then congratulated AEW and discussed its continued growth. “And those guys, you know, really fill the void, so it’s cool. Congrats to AEW, and they’re just going to keep growing, you know. I always check with the fans and ask what they watch, you know, and a lot of people are watching both products, you know, and I don’t know how much international distribution they have, but obviously they must be on in the places that they’re going to, at least, you know.”
Van Dam then explained what he sees as a major difference between WWE and AEW. He suggested AEW gives wrestlers more freedom to express themselves. “So, but yeah, pretty cool. And it still, and I think always will, be coming across as, and I think for valid reasons, the boys being the ones that are kind of running the show more, you know, whereas WWE, you know, was like a lot of people afraid for their job and doing whatever they’re told and sometimes afraid to go against it or say the wrong thing or whatever.”
He added that AEW feels different for its performers. “And this seems more like guys that want to be out there expressing themselves with their talent and doing it their way.” RVD previously appeared in AEW, sharing the ring with stars like Swerve Strickland, Jack Perry, the Dark Order, and others.
The post Rob Van Dam Says WWE Stars Were Afraid To Speak up Backstage appeared first on Wrestlezone.