Rob Van Dam loves the insane athleticism in modern wrestling, but he is sick of watching the same moves get recycled over and over again.
While speaking with Denise Salcedo, the WWE Hall of Famer gave today’s wrestlers credit for pulling off moves that would have seemed impossible during his prime. RVD specifically praised the reverse hurricanrana and the gymnastic ability of performers doing twisting shooting star presses and other high-risk spots.
However, RVD said that excitement disappears when every wrestler on the card starts using the same offense. In his eyes, moves that were once special have been watered down because fans see them several times during the same show.
“When I see a move like that, I’m impressed, and I think, ‘Holy crap, that’s a great moment. Take your bow. Connect with the crowd.’ There are so many gymnasts now that are taking it to a whole different level—doing a one-and-a-half or double shooting star press with a twist and all that stuff. It’s amazing, so I love seeing that.”
RVD then explained that his biggest problem is not the athleticism. It is the lack of individuality. He said too many wrestlers are borrowing moves from one another, leaving matches filled with repeated RKOs and Destroyers.
“For me, it’s too much seeing everybody do everyone else’s moves. It seems like there have to be three RKOs in every single match and two Oklahoma Destroyers—or whatever that one move is called. It just seems like that move isn’t even that special anymore.”
RVD understands why wrestlers keep doing those moves. The crowd still reacts, so performers know they can use them to get an easy response. That does not mean RVD enjoys watching the same spot repeatedly.
“The people still pop, and that’s why they do it, because they’re just going for the pop now. But for me, when I see it—just because of my position in the business, I guess—I’m not looking at it like a fan, because I’m not. It doesn’t strike a happy chord with me.”
The former WWE Champion said the constant repetition also makes it nearly impossible for any wrestler to protect a move as a legitimate match-ending weapon.
“It’s like, ‘Dude, that’s the eighth one I’ve seen tonight.’ How can someone ever have that as a finishing move if every single person on the card does it?”
RVD built his career around a move set that immediately separated him from everyone else. Now, he believes modern wrestlers are hurting themselves by chasing a quick crowd reaction instead of protecting their offense and developing something fans can identify as their own.
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