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- RVD is now in his 50s but he is still wrestling on the independent scene. His appearances are lessening as the years go by, with him averaging just under one match a month over the last year. Due to his age, don’t expect any new additions to his best matches ever, as his best years are certainly behind him. Either way, Hall of Famer RVD is still looked upon very fondly by professional wrestling fans, with him managing to make a name for himself as a top star in the likes of ECW, WWE, and TNA.
RVD is known by many names: Rob Van Dam, Mr. Monday Night, The Whole F'n Show, just to name a few. The native of Battle Creek, Michigan, has been wrestling for over 30 years and it's only become apparent in recent years just how influential RVD truly is. His innovative offense is still mesmerizing to this day, with his martial arts background that shines through with every kick he throws. His ring attire is also a sight to see. Rob Van Dam is a true icon of professional wrestling.
From his days in Japan, WCW, ECW, WWE, TNA, and beyond over the past 30 years, RVD has given fans some incredible matches to remember. Whether it's multi-man affairs where Van Dam can bring a fresh style to a match, or an all-out war with a bitter rival, there's a reason why he was called Mr. PPV in ECW. With that being said, according to Cagematch.net, what are the greatest matches of Rob Van Dam's career?
UPDATE: 2023/05/25 07:30 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
RVD is now in his 50s but he is still wrestling on the independent scene. His appearances are lessening as the years go by, with him averaging just under one match a month over the last year. Due to his age, don’t expect any new additions to his best matches ever, as his best years are certainly behind him. Either way, Hall of Famer RVD is still looked upon very fondly by professional wrestling fans, with him managing to make a name for himself as a top star in the likes of ECW, WWE, and TNA.
13 Rob Van Dam Vs. Jeff Hardy - WWE Invasion 2001 (Rating 8.30)
At WWE’s Invasion event which featured the big names from WWE, WCW, and ECW, RVD and Jeff Hardy clashed in a very fun match for the Hardcore Championship. Unlike many other hardcore bouts of the era, this one began with the pair showing their respective athleticism.
In the latter part of the match, weapons were introduced, but it never felt over the top, with them not just using weapons for the sake of it. There were some great spots, and RVD hit a huge Frog Splash for the victory.
12 Rob Van Dam Vs. John Cena - WWE One Night Stand 2006 (Rating 8.33)
RVD cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase at the One Night Stand 2006 event, which was held in the historic Hammerstein Ballroom. The WWE Champion John Cena was public enemy number one in front of this insane crowd, which elevated this match a great deal.
This was arguably the greatest moment of RVD’s career, standing tall with both the ECW and WWE Championship, and it is also up there with his best matches too.
11 Rob Van Dam Vs. Christian - WWE Raw 2003 (Rating 8.36)
In the main event of a Raw episode in 2003, RVD won the Intercontinental Championship from Christian in a ladder match. It was a short match but they managed to pack a lot into just 13 minutes.
RVD hit a Frog Splash from atop the ladder which was a big moment, and it led to him eventually winning the match and standing tall in a very fun encounter.
10 Rob Van Dam Vs. Jerry Lynn - ECW Hardcore Heavan 1999 (Rating: 8.40)
Some fans call it one of the most overrated matches of all time. Some fans call it one of the greatest matches in ECW history. But all fans can agree that the ECW Television Championship match from Hardcore Heaven 1999 between Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn was a match that is important for everyone involved, whether that be RVD, Lynn, or ECW as a company.
The match does go on for a long time and may run out of steam towards the end, however, that might be due to the fact Jerry Lynn got a hefty concussion and a broken nose in the early stages. With that being said, this is arguably the most celebrated match between these two in their now-legendary rivalry and is a match that still looks ahead of its time over 20 years later.
9 Rob Van Dam Vs. Danny Kroffat - AJPW Super Power Series 1995 (Day 15) (Rating: 8.46)
It's a match that pre-dates his WWE/WWF run, it's a match that even pre-dates his ECW run. One of the greatest matches in Rob Van Dam's catalog is a match that unfortunately not a lot of fans have actually seen. All Japan Pro Wrestling was known as the king of wrestling in the mid-1990s for the sheer quality of matches (they literally had a match of the year candidate two matches after this one) so seeing RVD in this setting is quite something.
Competing for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship against Danny Krofatt (who would later be known as Phil LaFon in WWF and ECW), these two put on a true clinic in quick, athletic, and intense action that is ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Not long after this match, WCW's cruiserweight division would be a featured attraction. Van Dam would never capture that AJPW title but would capture much more gold down the line.
8 2014 Money In The Bank Ladder Match (Rating: 8.47)
After taking a break from TV in late 2013, Van Dam returned to WWE TV the night after WrestleMania 30 for what would eventually become his final run with the company (for now at least). A little bit past his prime by 2014, RVD could still hang with the best of a generation that was clearly influenced by Van Dam himself, and this was all on display in the 2014 Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
With fans clinging on to the thin chance that RVD could have one more run in the main event scene, Van Dam mixed it up with Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, and Dolph Ziggler in one of the best Money In The Bank matches of the 2010s. Van Dam was never really going to win, but seeing him roll back the years with the next generation was a real treat.
7 Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy Vs. Chris Jericho & Chrstian Vs. The Dudleys Vs. Kane & Hurricane - Raw 2002 (Rating 8.68)
The history of the TLC match is a strange one. TLC 1 at SummerSlam 2000 is a history-making affair that is more rewatchable than most modern matches. TLC 2 is the most iconic car crash ever caught on camera and captures the peak of three of the greatest teams in history. TLC 3 happened not long after and while not as celebrated, was unique and different compared to the previous matches. So what happened in TLC 4?
A product of Eric Bischoff's 'Raw Roulette' at a Raw show in Las Vegas in October 2002, the fourth TLC match in WWE history had a mixed bag of experienced hands in the genre (Christian, Bubba & Hardy) while mixing in fresh faces like Spike, Kane and of course RVD. While the dream team of Hardy and Van Dam didn't pick up the win, fans did get to see one of the only Van Terminators ever seen in WWE history.
6 Team Austin Vs. Tean Bischoff - Survivor Series 2003 (Rating: 8.70)
RVD was more of a side character in this match, but what a match to be a part of. With Austin's WWE career on the line, Van Dam teamed with The Dudleys, Booker T, and MVP Shawn Michaels to take on Team Bischoff which comprised of Chris Jericho, Christian, Scott Steiner, Mark Henry, and MVP Randy Orton.
Van Dam lasted just over 12 minutes in the match, even assisting in eliminating Henry along with The Dudleys before being given his marching orders by Orton, but in the early years of the Ruthless Aggression era, Van Dam was one of the top stars of Raw. His inclusion in this match is a testament to how much confidence the head honchos had in Mr. Monday Night at the time.
5 2004 Royal Rumble Match (Rating: 8.74)
It's the 'forgotten' Royal Rumble match for the obvious reason that its match winner is Chris Benoit. However, when it comes to Royal Rumble matches, RVD actually has a very good record when it comes to the Rumble match despite not winning it. RVD became one of the final six competitors on four occasions, this match, in particular, being one of them.
While only being in the match for a brief period after entering at number 29, Van Dam lasted just under seven minutes before feeling the wrath of the man who would be eliminated last, The Big Show. While it would have been nice to see RVD win the Rumble at one point, he still has a respectable record that he can be proud of.
4 Rob Van Dam Vs. Jerry Lynn - ECW TV 1999 (Rating: 8.92)
Their clash at Living Dangerously 1999 got the ball rolling, their clash at Hardcore Heaven 1999 put the rivalry amongst the best in ECW history, however, one of their best clashes is often the most forgotten. The rivalry that Van Dam and Lynn had was incredible, so much so that Van Dam even stated that to introduce a new fan to his work he would put on a match against Jerry Lynn because he was so proud of them.
This match took place in August 1999 and would eventually be broadcast not once but twice. On an episode of Hardcore TV and then the 4th episode of ECW on TNN, and it was amazing. Truly bouncing off one another's chemistry and energy, this 14-minute match is a gem that when discovered by first-time viewers is not only a joy but solidifies RVD vs Lynn as a rivalry for the ages.
3 Team WWF VS The Alliance - Survivor Series 2001 (Rating: 8.93)
Looking back at the Invasion storyline over 20 years since it happened, it's fairly clear that out of all of the missed opportunities and the roughness of the entire ordeal, Rob Van Dam was a diamond amongst all of that rough. Starting off the angle as the brash and arrogant figure fans loved in ECW, RVD ended the angle mixing it up with a who's who of wrestling superstars including Steve Austin, The Rock, and The Undertaker.
The WWF vs Alliance match at Survivor Series 2001 was the match that would finally put the invasion storyline out of its misery for good, and the high drama of it made it truly entertaining. Van Dam would have a truly impressive performance here, lasting almost half an hour, gaining an elimination over Kane and cementing himself in the minds of fans around the world that Mr. PPV was here to stay.
2 2007 Royal Rumble Match (Rating: 8.96)
It's a Rumble match that really doesn't get talked about enough. The 2007 edition of the match had the inclusion of ECW for the first time which meant Sabu got put through a table, The Sandman entered through the crowd, and Rob Van Dam was going to be the brand's MVP. Or so fans thought. While Van Dam had another impressive showing, even gaining two eliminations, it was CM Punk who grabbed all the headlines as the brand's Iron Man.
A match that was a precursor to the eventual duo of Wrestlemania classics between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, this edition of the Royal Rumble only saw Van Dam in a supporting role, but he got a huge reaction, performed well, and always looked like a credible threat.
1 Rob Van Dam Vs. Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels Vs. Chris Jericho Vs. Kane Vs. Booker T - Survivor Series 2002 (Rating: 9.02)
RVD literally crushed Triple H's throat during the 'Reign of Terror' era of The Game's career. The first 'Elimination Chamber' match was at Survivor Series 2002 in Madison Square Garden and according to the men involved, it was a mess from start to finish. However, fans didn't care as it was a triumphant mess that fans still talk about to this day.
Van Dam, ever the show stealer, began the match with Triple H. During the 13 minutes that RVD was involved in the match before being eliminated by Booker T; he performed 'Rolling Thunder' onto the steel grates, originated the 'Spider-Man' spot, and was the first man to go up on top of a pod. He may have landed one of the worst frog splashes of his career, but RVD was a pivital part of one of the greatest matches in Survivor Series history.