Rob Van Dam Recalls Why He Left WWE

Rob Van Dam has shared why he chose to leave WWE despite the huge success that saw him become a Grand Slam Champion.

After ECW was purchased by WWE in 2001, Rob Van Dam was one of many former Extreme Stars to join the company for the Invasion storyline.

Over the next six years, Mr. Monday Night would develop as one of the most popular Superstars in WWE and become WWE Champion.

But the longest reigning ECW Television Champion has now explained why he chose to leave and spend time working the independent scene before joining Impact Wrestling three years later.

The 2022 Hardcore Hall of Fame inductee rejoined WWE in 2013 but left just one year later.

RVD was speaking with former WCW Superstars Konnan and Disco Inferno on their Keepin’ It 100 podcast. During the interview, Rob Van Dam discussed his head space in 2007 and 2014 and why he felt he needed to take a break from WWE after his second run with the company.

“I needed to get away. I just had enough. My contract was coming up, they had destroyed ECW, and personally, they weren’t doing much with me. I don’t know if they were trying to get me to go through and then work my way back up or what, but I found myself just in a place where I was not spiritually well. And that’s why I left because I realized that my spirit needed a serious tune up, and that was something I couldn’t do while I was under those conditions.”

RVD would go on to share how difficult he was finding his WWE comeback, adding that he was close to leaving on different occasions.

“It did drive me nuts. I went through cycles of frustration when I thought I was gonna leave and take the next flight home, and then, you know, a couple of days later, I’d be like, ‘Wow!’ because cool things would happen and I loved it. … And there’s other times where the monotony just feeling like I can’t do anything.”

The 2021 WWE Hall of Famer has also spoken out on the politics involved during his time in WWE.

H/t to WrestlingInc