RVD Defends AEW’s Controversial Fish Tank Spot Amid Severe Backlash

The fish tank spot between Jon Moxley and Darby Allin at AEW WrestleDream has stirred up a lot of online backlash, with many fans labeling the segment as excessive. But not everyone is ready to pile on. WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is defending the controversial moment—even if it’s not something he’d personally want to do.

During a recent episode of his 1 of a Kind podcast, RVD tackled the fish tank moment head-on. He acknowledged the internet outrage but made it clear he isn’t concerned with trying to please short-tempered fans.

“The fish tank controversy? Am I afraid of getting the internet mark community hot once again? Like I said a bunch of times, their loyalty goes as far as their attention span, so don’t worry about it.”

While RVD didn’t exactly endorse the idea of trying to drown someone on live TV, he offered a level-headed defense. To him, it’s just wrestlers expressing their art, and if people are into it, that’s valid too.

“Well, I’ve seen the headlines, obviously. I think that, you know what, I think it’s not for me. That’s them as artists expressing themselves, and they’re connecting to some people, and if it’s successful for them, then great. You know what I mean?”

The ECW legend compared the criticism to people who project their personal standards onto others—whether it’s about alcohol or pro wrestling. In classic RVD fashion, he broke it down in his own philosophical way.

“Like, if somebody says, ‘You drink too much,’ to me — and this is the moment of RVD — then the sentence, what are you saying? You’re saying, ‘You drink too much for who?’ Do I drink too much for me? No. Are you saying I drink too much for you? F** you. What do I care? Who are you?”*

He continued that if fans think a wrestling moment is “too much,” they don’t have to watch it—and that not every segment is designed for every type of viewer.

“If someone wants to say, ‘That’s too much,’ or, ‘This is gross,’ it’s like — for who? For children? Okay. For you and your preferences? Okay. You know the solution — don’t watch it. Is it for everybody? Probably not. It’s probably not too much for everybody. Nothing is.”

While standing firm on his perspective, RVD admitted that he now kind of wants to check the segment out for himself, and that’s the exact reaction AEW likely aimed for.

“So for me, that’s definitely not something I’m interested in doing. But I probably do want to see it now, actually — and that’s what they want.”

Though RVD’s laid-back stance differs from critics like Vince Russo—who blasted AEW for promoting family-friendly content while showcasing scenes like the fish tank spot—it’s clear Van Dam is more about letting performers be themselves.

AEW isn’t showing any signs of pulling back when it comes to pushing creative boundaries. And with wrestlers like RVD backing that kind of experimentation, don’t expect the debates—or the wild spots—to stop anytime soon.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.