Rob Van Dam |
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Robert Szatkowski, better known by his stage name Rob Van Dam (born December 18, 1970 in Battle Creek, Michigan), is an American professional wrestler performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on its RAW brand.
Wrestling career
He debuted in 1990 after being trained by the Original Sheik (Ed Farhat) and wrestled in many independent promotions across Michigan. He signed with World Championship Wrestling in 1992 and was dubbed "Robbie V" upon his arrival. His WCW run was uneventful and he left in 1994.
He wrestled in several independent promotions across America and in All Japan Pro Wrestling before signing with Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1996.
He gained considerable success in ECW including a record 23-month reign as ECW World Television Champion, before having to vacate the title due to a broken leg. He was arguably the most popular wrestler to ever grace an ECW ring.
He stayed with ECW until its demise in 2001. A couple of months later, he signed with the WWF and was an immediate hit with the fans even though he was a heel member of the ECW Alliance. After the WCW/ECW Alliance broke up, he turned face. Despite being very popular with WWE fans, Van Dam has yet to cement his legend as a World Heavyweight Champion, but he has captured the Intercontinental and Hardcore Championships, as well as both the World Tag Team Title and WWE Tag Team Title.
On March 21, 2004 Rob Van Dam was traded from RAW to SmackDown!. He made his SmackDown! debut on March 24, 2004, defeating Charlie Haas.
On January 27, 2005 Rob Van Dam underwent reconstructive knee surgery under Dr. James Andrews in Alabama to repair a torn ACL and meniscus he suffered earlier in the month.
Van Dam made an appearance at the ECW One Night Stand PPV in New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on June 12, 2005, and was accompanied by his ECW manager, Bill Alfonso. Van Dam, still months away from a full recovery, wore a knee brace and did not wrestle. He delivered a scathing shoot interview, criticising the way he had been booked in WWE, until he was attacked by Rhino. Sabu defended Van Dam, leading to an impromptu match, which Sabu won following assistance from Van Dam.
On the June 27, 2005 edition of Raw, Van Dam was traded back to Raw in the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery. His selection was introduced during the "talk show" segment "Carlito's Cabana". The two exchanged words, after which Carlito brutally assaulted RVD's knee.
Out of wrestling
Rob Van Dam has also appeared in several films and television shows in the past few years, and currently owns a comics shop (RVD's 5 Star Comics) in Orange County, California.
He is also the inventor of the Van Dam Lift for weightlifting. This involves doing a split between two benches and lifting a dumbell from the floor to the waist. The lift was approved by the International All-Around Weightlifting Association in 1998, and RVD holds the current record, at 166.5 pounds.
Profile
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Weight: 237lbs
- Birthday: December 18, 1970
- Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan
- Trained By: The Original Sheik
- Professional Debut: 1990
- Previous Identities: Robbie V (WCW jobber),
- Nick Names: Mr. Monday Night, Mr. Thursday Night, Mr. Pay Per View, The Whole F'n Show, The Whole Dam Show
- Previous Manager(s): Bill Alfonso, Jerry Lawler
- Signature Illegal Weapon(s): Steel Folding Chair
Quotes
- "I'm R-V-D!"
- "Everything's cool when you're Rob - Van - Dam!"
- "You've got to know that things just have a way of working themselves out."
- "What are you getting yourself worked up about? You're not even yourself."
- "RVD 4:20 - I just smoked your ass."
- "I'm the whole Dam show!"
- "I'm the whole fuckin' show!"
- "Nobody gets higher than Rob Van Dam!"
- "I'm one of a kind!"
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