Biography
Rob grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, in his
youth Rob started studying martial arts in the two dojos in the town. Rob
started kick boxing under the guidance of Kit Lykins, later he was trained by
Terry Gay. In 1989, Rob decided to give it a shot as a pro. wrestler, he met up
with the Sheik (Sabu's uncle), who trained him, it was also during these days
that Rob first met up with Sabu.
In 1990 Rob also competed in the Kalamazoo Tough Man contest, he came in second,
but he sure has come a long way from second place since then. In 1990, Rob also
had his first pro. wrestling match, which took place in Toledo, Ohio, here he
kicked the ass of Dango Nguyen. Rob spent his rookie year wrestling as Rob
Zakowski on the independent circuit in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, and
everywhere he went he fought Sabu.
Then in 1991, Rob wen to Memphis, where he worked for the United States
Wrestling Association (USWA), here he battled Nightmare Danny Davis and of
course Sabu. The stint with USWA only lasted for two months, but Rob then
started working for the South Atlantic Pro Wrestling organisation.
In the SAPW, Rob had his first share of success, he came close to winning the
Light Heavyweight Title from Ricky Nelson, but came out of the contest starring
at the ceiling. Rob then teamed up with Chaz Rocco, and they actually won the
SAPW Tag Team Title from the Ringlords (Dapper Dan and Speedy Gonzales) on July
23, 1992. Unfortunately Rob and Chaz were only able to hold on to the title for
one day, as the Ringlords regained the belts on July 24, 1992.
From here Rob went down to Florida for the opening of the ICWA, while in Florida
Rob had to get another job as a bouncer, since he didn't made enough money from
wrestling. This was the last he had to have a regular job. Rob also worked for
the CWF and the IWF. But it wasn't until Rob started working for All Star
Wrestling in Georgia that Rob got noticed by WCW.
Rob joined the WCW in the first quater of 1993 under the guise of Robbie V. It
was Rob's first time to shine in the spotlight, but when the spotlight was
shining upon him, Mr. V. spent most of the time on his back starring at the
ceiling. Robbie also participated in a tournament for the vacant WCW TV Title
and won his first round match-up against Shanghai Pierce, but lost in the second
round to Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash).
In February 1993, Rob embarked o his first trip Japan, where he toured with All
Japan Pro Wrestling. But Rob never became a full-time regular like Johnny Ace,
since Rob in his own words hate Japan, even though he loves the quality of the
matches. While in Japan Rob had a great match against Dan Kroffat for the All
Japan Junior Championship Title, but lost. Rob also tagged with Stan Hansen and
Bobby Duncum Jr. on various occasions. It wasn't until 1997 Rob and Sabu started
teaming in All Japan, and they finally clashed in May 1997, I believe Sabu won
the match. When he wasn't in Japan Rob worked on the independent scene in USA.
It was also during these years that Rob starred in two martial arts films,
namely Superfights and Blood Moon.
In 1995, Rob teamed up with Bobby Bradley to form the tag team Aerial Assault in
National Wrestling Conference. Aerial Assault were a high flying duo, who won
the NWC Tag Team Title in 1995 in a tournament. In the tournament they defeated
the Mercenaries, Powers of Pain, and the Power Twins to get the title.
Rob made his debut for Extreme Championship Wrestling on January 5, 1996, after
declining several offers from the group. The event was called House Party '96,
and Rob Van Dam defeated Axl Rotten. While working for ECW Rob still toured with
All Japan until 1997.
On January 27, Rob Van Dam clashed with Sabu in the first of their many classic
encounters in 1996, Rob lost but broke one of Sabu's fingers. After the match
Paul Heyman realised Rob's talents and thought about a feud with Sabu, but if it
was to be successful, Rob had to fare well in some matches against the cream of
the ECW. And so it happened on March 30, where Rob battled then ECW TV Too Cold
Scorpio to a draw, which showcased that he was ready for the feud with Sabu.
Ever since his debut in 1990 Rob had been a face, but at Hostile City Showdown,
April 20, 1996, he showed his true colours. RVD took on Sabu in a memorable
furniture wrecking aerial war, which Sabu won, after the match Sabu in a sign of
respect offered Rob to shake his hand, but Rob declined and was accompanied back
to the locker room by the chant of asshole. Rob was now a heel.
The incident at Hostile City Showdown lead to a series of matches, most notably
at A Matter of Respect and Hardcore Heaven 1996, it was a so called Respect
Match, where the loser had to shake the winners hand and say "I respect you". A
Matter of Respect got it's name due to this match, my personal opinion of this
match is that it is one of the best matches of 1996, they smashed a lot of
tables and did some spectacular moves, which connected, Rob won the match after
his split legged moonsault. Rob refused to shake Sabu's hand, so the feud
continued.
On June 1, Rob was supposed to take on Mikey Whipwreck, but before the match
Brian Pillman came to ringside and smashed Mikey with a crutch, giving Van Dam
the easy pin. When Pillman was interviewed after the match, Rob stood behind
him. Nothing more came out of this incident, since Brian left ECW after an
backstage altercation with New Jack.
At Hardcore Heaven Rob and Sabu took on each other again, this time they went
all over the arena and wrecked almost every table in sight, Sabu won the match
but both men left on stretchers. This set-up a Stretcher Match at the Doctor is
In. The stretcher match was very brutal, after Sabu performed a moonsault onto
the stretcher, where Van Dam was, he had to leave the arena on the stretcher.
Fourteen days later Sabu defeated Rob again.
August 24, Rob defeated Doug Furnas, which didn't sit well with Furnas, who
challenged Rob to a tag match, but Rob in his own mind said he didn't need a tag
team partner. But on September 13, after Sabu had defeated Van Dam yet again,
both men were attacked by Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat (Phil LaFon). Now both Van
Dam and Sabu had an agenda with Kroffat and Furnas, and they agreed to tag up.
The match took place at When World's Collide, September 24, where the two teams
wrestled to a 30 minute draw, Sabu and Rob showed great team work during the
match. The teaming of the two superstars didn't end with the match, because
after Sabu had defeated Perry Saturn in singles competition, Saturn and his
partner John Kronus challenged the team of Sabu and Van Dam to a match.
The first meeting of these two teams took place on September 21, the hard
hitting match ended with a draw. After this experience Rob and Sabu really
accelerated in the ranks of tag teams as they defeated teams like Kroffat /
Furnas and J. T. Smith / Little Guido, this elevated them into title contention
and soon rematches against the Eliminators followed for the number 1 contender
spot. But still their matches ended in draws, which lead to triple threat
matches against the ECW Tag Team Champions, the Gangstas, who came out on top.
The rest of 1996 Rob jobbed to Taz and together with Sabu lost to the
Eliminators. 1997 didn't start much better as the loosing streak to the
Eliminators continued, but this time it was mostly in Tables and Ladders
matches, where some of the matches were good, while the others were bad, due to
the wrestlers missing their spots.
On March 17, Rob hung out at the Civic Centre in Savannah to meet some of his
old buddies, who were working for WCW. This incident lead to Rob getting an
offer from WCW, which quickly spread to the Internet and the fans of ECW, so a
week before Barely Legal, Rob heard the first chants "You sold out".
April 13 Rob wrestled Lance Storm at ECW's first pay-per-view, Barely Legal as
the replacement for Chris Candido. After winning the match, which was somewhat
sloppy, the chants of "You sold out" were so loud that he couldn't ignore them.
Rob then fired back at the audience with such a force that the crowd almost
choked, here is what Rob said: "I sold out to myself by putting my boots on and
getting in the ring tonight, after obviously being chosen as a second-line
wrestler to fill for somebody injured. I swallowed my pride for one reason,
business. Because you see, Lance Storm, by beating you here, Rob Van Dam is now
worth more money here, and Rob Van Dam is now worth more money elsewhere!"
Later on the show after Sabu had lost to Taz, Rob attacked Taz, and Sabu joined
in on the stomping together with Bill Alfonso (the manager of Taz), who also
joined in on the beating. Rob got on the microphone again and stated: "You other
wrestling promoters who want me, get a-hold of my man Fonzie. He knows my
schedule, and I love to work Mondays." This new attitude quickly got Rob over.
Rob got a lot of heat from the fans as he continued with his remarks, but after
Rob and Sabu lost to Taz and Chris Candido on May 10, the self-proclaimed "Mr.
Monday Night" stated that he would be wrestling on Monday Night, May 12, for
either WCW or WWF.
Van Dam proved to be a man of his words as he showed up on Raw is War together
with Jerry Lawler, Rob then described ECW as low-budget wannabes who couldn't
compete with the extreme talents of Rob Van Dam. Rob then showed off his talents
and completely squashed Jeff Hardy. The next week Rob defeated Flash Funk (Too
Cold Scorpio). Rob wrestled a couple of more matches for the WWF, until Vince on
June 23 I believe told him to loose by count-out to Jesse Jammes, Rob refused
and left the arena, this also marked the end of the agreement between ECW and
WWF, at least nationally.
In ECW, commissioner Tod Gordon suspended Rob, due to his action from May 12.
Actually no suspension was levied, since it was used a cover story to explain
Rob's absence, while he was on tour with All Japan. But the deal with All Japan
fell through on June 6, when Rob and Sabu quit the company due to creative
differences with the management.
On June 7, Rob made his return to the ECW arena, Tommy Dreamer had just defeated
his long-time nemesis, Raven, when the lights went out and RVD and Fonzie was in
the ring, Rob threw a chair to Dreamer and performed the Van Daminator, later
Sabu and Jerry Lawler joined in on the fun.
On June 28, Rob and Sabu defeated Tommy Dreamer and Sandman, which was followed
up with appearances by Jerry Lawler and Jim Cornette, which proved Rob's
alignment with the WWF. This was followed up with more tag team matches between
the two team, with Rob and Sabu coming out on top.
Rob, Sabu, and Lawler also gave a pasting to Dreamer and Sandman at Heat Wave
'97, where they completely destroyed the two defenders of ECW pride. At the show
called Born to be Wired, August 9, Rob took on Dreamer in singles competition,
the match was great and showed that the two stars copied each other moves, Rob
won the match after a little help from Sabu.
At Hardcore Heaven, ECW's second pay-per-view, Rob took on another WWF employee,
Al Snow, again the match was a bit sloppy, but still good and Rob won. The feud
with Dreamer continued, resulting in more tag team matches and interference in
singles matches, and while Rob talked about his connections with the WWF,
Dreamer stood as the protector of ECW.
At the arena show on September 20, Rob and Fonzie took on Dreamer and his valet
Beulah McGullicutty, during this match Dreamer suffered a badly bruised heel and
a shoulder injury, when Rob realised this he told Fonzie to take care of Beulah,
Rob then left, Fonzie lost the match. This incident put a little halt to the
feud, but when Rob attacked Dreamer during a show and covered him with the WWF
Flag, the set-up for their match at November to Remember was set, it was going
to be a match, where the winner would raise the flag of his promotion.
November to Remember, November 31, Rob and Tommy Dreamer clashed in the match of
the night. Credit must be given to Dreamer, who worked with his injuries, both
men delivered a strong show and delivered a heated and dramatic match. The match
ended with interference form Furnas and Lafon, and finally Stevie Richards, who
nailed Dreamer with a Steviekick, Rob then covered Dreamer, and the three
interference runners then made the three count.
The feud between the WWF faction and the ECW faction continued during December,
but it was clearly that it had peaked at November to Remember. So with the war
between ECW and WWF going away, Rob had to prove himself in another way, and at
House Party '98, he did it by defeating Bam Bam Bigelow. It was a good big man
vs. small guy contest, which also saw some interference by Shane Douglas, but in
the end Van Dam used a kick from the top rope to the back of Bam Bam's head, and
followed it up with a frog splash for the win.
The team of Rob and Sabu also continued to achieve success, but they weren't
able to grab the titles from Lance Storm and Chris Candido, whom they wrestled
to a draw on January 30. But at Hostile City Showdown '98 the following day, Rob
and Sabu defeated the teams of Dreamer / Sandman, John Kronus / New Jack, and
the Dudley Boys in a 4 team elimination match.
Rob then began to flood around in ECW without a direction, he defeated Bam Bam
again on February 7, but also interfered in a match involving Tommy Dreamer and
lost some tag team matches. At Living Dangerously, Rob first helped Sabu defeat
the Sandman in a duelling canes match, when Rob came to the ring disguised as
Sabu. Later that night Rob defeated Too Cold Scorpio in a pretty good match.
On February 14, both Rob and Sabu took their extreme antics to Europe and the
European Wrestling Association and their 8 man tournament to crown a new British
Junior Heavyweight Champion. During the event Rob was the star of the show, he
won his first round match and was supposed to take on Sabu in the semi-final,
but that was vetoed by Fonzie. But Rob and Sabu instead took on Michael Kovac
and Ulf Hermann in an extreme tag team encounter, which Van Dam and Sabu won.
The rest of March saw Rob fighting various opponents, which didn't do Rob any
good. But the month of April saw Rob gaining a major championship, namely the
ECW TV Title, which he won from Bam Bam Bigelow on April 4, proving that he
really is the whole F'N show. The match was one of the best ECW had to deliver
in 1998, it saw Rob flying all over the arena and Bam Bam using his superior
power. The end of the match came when Sabu interfered, Rob then delivered the
Van Daminator and used Sabu to trip Bigelow and got the pin. 14 days later Rob
defeated Bam Bam in a rematch.
Prior to the show Sabu had been announced as the number 1 contender for the ECW
TV Title, which created some tension between the tag team partners. The problems
between the partners almost exploded, when Sabu fought Al Snow for the number 1
contender spot for the ECW World Title, Rob threw in the towel when Sabu was on
his way to victory due to a small cut, Sabu wanted to attack Rob, but Fonzie
stopped him.
When the two partners collided at Wrestlepalooza, it seemed like they had
settled their differences, but it was only a scam, since they fought each other
with anything they got, it was such a tough match that Sabu puked during the
match. The match went 30 minutes with many high spots before the time limit
expired. After the match it was clearly that there was dissension between the
two.
But Rob and Sabu were not the only team, who had problems the ECW Tag Team
Champion, Lance Storm and Chris Candido, had the same problem. Storm and Candido
agreed to a dream tag team partner match, which took place on May 16. Storm had
picked Rob and Candido had picked Sabu, during the match Van Dam and Sabu turned
on their respective partners and showed their great teamwork. After the math Rob
and Sabu highfived and held up the ECW TV Title together.
This lead to a match on June 27 at the ECW Arena, Rob and Sabu had the advantage
because of the disagreement between the champions. Van Dam and Sabu won the
match and the title, with that Rob's confidence grew and he began to talk down
to Sabu, always mentioning his own name and his own efforts. Rob and Sabu also
made a number on Candido on July 12, when they nailed him with Rolling Thunder,
by this move Candido suffered a torn ear.
At the Heat Wave '98 pay-per-view, August 2, Rob - and Sabu of course, took on
Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki in a high spot festival, which RVD and Sabu won
after blasting their opponents through a table with synchronised legdrops from
the top rope. Following their win, Sabu and Rob were challenged by the Dudley
Boys one of their matches took place on August 8, 1998, here the Triple Threat
(Shane Douglas, Chris Candido, and Bam Bam Bigelow) together with the Dudley
Boys attacked Rob and Sabu, this brought out Taz to make the save and this was
the set-up for the match between Rob, Sabu, and Taz against the Triple Threat,
which should take place at November to Remember 1998.
On August 29, Rob and Sabu wanted revenge on the Triple Threat so they attacked
Bam Bam Bigelow, causing him to loose to Masato Tanaka, during their
interference, where Rob blasted Bigelow through a table, Van Dam suffered a torn
eyelid when he was struck with a splinter. But Rob returned at the main event,
with his head swathed in bandages, and together with Sabu defeated the Dudley
Boys. Rob Van Dam got married in September.
Rob also continued to defend his ECW TV Title against all comers, including
Jerry Lynn, Bam Bam Bigelow, Lance Storm, and Mikey Whipwreck. On October 24,
1998, Van Dam and Sabu tangled with the Dudley Boys again, but this time the
Dudley Boys came out on top, due to interference from the Triple Threat.
November 1, November to Remember it was the battle of the Triple Threats,
unfortunately the main event didn't live up to it's expectations, since it was
very messy, but it was the team of Sabu, Taz, and Rob Van Dam, who won the
match. Before the match took place the Dudley Boys attacked Rob and Sabu.
The rest of November Rob took on Jerry Lynn in a series of strong encounters
with Van Dam on top. Rob and Sabu also used time on Taz and Shane Douglas, but
when Rob and Sabu were offered a rematch with the Dudley Boys they accepted. The
match took place in Tokyo, Japan, on December 13 and if the Rob and Sabu didn't
win the match, they would never team again. Fortunately Rob and Sabu won the
match and regained the ECW Tag Team Title, which obviously got to Rob's head,
because ever since then he wants to be announced as ¾ of the ECW Tag Team
Champions.
At ECW's first pay-per-view of 1999, Guilty as Charged, January 10, Rob was
supposed to take on Masato Tanaka for the ECW TV Title, but Tanaka no showed and
Lance Storm was wheeled in as the replacement. Even thought they had little time
to prepare the two put on a great show, which Rob won thereby retaining the ECW
TV Title. Several people have reported that Rob Van Dam will get a giant push in
1999, it will be interesting to see what happens.
After Guilty as Charged it looks more likely that Rob will turn face, since he
has started making parodies of Fonzie. Rob has also dealt with many contrasting
styles in his defence of the ECW TV Title, which he has defended against the
likes of Balls Mahony and Spike Dudley, but Rob keeps the title. Others have
tried to get the TV Title away from Rob including Ulf Herman, but on the house
shows Rob has wrestled some incredible matches against Jerry Lynn, and it
wouldn't surprise me if these two squared off on the next pay-per-view.
Rob Van Dam is now in the World Wrestling Entertainment and has been subjected
to the spotlight, he has been given many roles and is on a fast track to
becoming a Main Eventer, especially with so many stars outside the WWE!
