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Seth Rollins Does RVD Tribute At Extreme Rules

By John Canton • Published 9th October 2022
seth rollins rvd gear extreme rules

Seth “Freakin” Rollins main evented Extreme Rules while paying tribute to an “extreme” legend known as Rob Van Dam.

With Extreme Rules emanating from the city of Philadelphia on October 8th, there were a lot of ties to the now-defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion that was based out of Philly. WWE even used former ECW owner/booker Paul Heyman to narrate the opening video package of the show.

In the main event of Extreme Rules, Rollins decided to pay tribute to one of ECW’s biggest stars ever, the former WWE & ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam.

At Extreme Rules, Rollins posed during his entrance and in the Fight Pit Match just like RVD did many times. There was also a point in the match where Rollins climbed the side of the cage, said “Seth Freakin’ Rollins” like RVD used to say “Rob Van Dam” and Rollins hit a Frog Splash similar to the Five Star Frog Splash that RVD used as a finisher.

WWE posted this photo of Rollins backstage at the show doing the famous RVD thumb-pointing pose.

Rollins face Matt Riddle in the Fight Pit Match that was refereed by UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. While Rollins came close to winning a few times in the match, Riddle ultimately ended up getting the big win by applying a Triangle Choke submission that saw Rollins tap out to give Riddle the win.

There has been some speculation on social media that Rollins wore the RVD-style gear also because he was playing mind games with Riddle, who is a big supporter and known user of marijuana just like RVD is.

RVD was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. RVD signed with WWE in 2001, won the WWE Title in 2006 and last competed in a WWE match in 2014.