Rob Van Dam Debuts In AEW, Granted Title Shot

Wrestling legend Rob Van Dam made his AEW debut to confront Jack Perry to set up a match between them.

On the 200th episode of AEW Dynamite from Tampa, one of the segments advertised on the show was the FTW Champion Jack Perry going face-to-face with AEW Producer/Coach Jerry Lynn, a former legendary wrestler that spent many years in ECW among other places.

The segment between Perry and Lynn was set up on the July 26th episode of AEW Dynamite when Perry was trashing ECW because that’s where the FTW Title’s origins are from. The FTW Title was created by Taz in ECW and brought to AEW a few years ago.

This week when Jack Perry was in the ring doing a promo, he called for Jerry Lynn to meet him face-to-face in the ring. That’s when Lynn showed up to remind us he’s had plates and screws in his neck, so Lynn is retired as a wrestler. However, Lynn made a call to a friend…Rob Van Dam.

When Rob Van Dam entered the arena, he was cheered heavily. Van Dam also walked to the ring to a song familiar to fans in ECW because it was the song “Walk” by Pantera that RVD used in ECW.

Rob Van got into the ring with Perry, who backed away and rolled out of the ring. The fans booed Jack.

After Jerry Lynn went down to the ring to talk with RVD, Perry tried to attack with a steel chair. RVD ducked the chair attack and went for a spin kick, but Jack avoided it. Jack bailed again. Rob Van Dam did his “RVD” thumb point with the crowd cheering along with it.

Rob Van Dam Challenged Jack Perry To A FTW Title Match

Later in the show, Rob Van Dam was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the backstage area. RVD said he heard Jack Perry running his mouth, so that’s why he was there. RVD talked about how he has a history of making titles feel more important. RVD said next week he wants to challenge Jack Perry to an FTW Title match. It was made official later in the show.

AEW’s exictable Owner Tony Khan tweeted/X’d about how he was in in attendance for an RVD/Sabu match from 27 years ago.

Tomorrow's the 27 year anniversary of @TherealRVD vs @TheRealSabuECW
Stretcher Match!

I was there with my dad when I was 13 years old. The night's one of my favorite memories, and @IAmJericho's last ever night in ECW!

Great to have Chris + RVD here at #AEWDynamite 200 TONIGHT!

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) August 3, 2023

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported by Fightful Select that AEW might be bringing in RVD for the All In pay-per-view on August 27th. No word yet on if RVD will be part of All In or what his AEW future is after his match with Jack Perry on Dynamite next week.