Rob Van Dam has one of the most unique styles of wrestling in history. He's been able to use his talents to achieve many titles and victories throughout his career. He's now in his 4th decade as pro wrestler and competing in Impact Wrestling.
He probably could still compete with the best of the superstars that are currently on the WWE roster. For now though we can only appreciate what he's done in the past. We take a look at the five best matches of RVD's career in WWE and ECW.
10 WWE: Vs. Chris Benoit, SummerSlam 2002
Van Dam would win the Intercontinental Championship from Benoit in one of their last matches together. RVD is more known as the person who takes top-rop risks, but Benoit would take some risks too and somewhat wrestle out of his element. Van Dam would hit a splash off the top rope and pin Benoit for the win.
This match was buried a bit on a card of classics, but it's nonetheless a banger.
9 ECW: Vs. Sabu, A Matter Of Respect 1996
This is an older match but a classic nonetheless. Neither of these guys respected each other in this feud and the stipulation was that the loser would have to shake the winner's hand. The stipulation doesn't sound that crazy, but it is when you have two rivals like Van Dam and Sabu. Sabu would lose and have to shake RVD's hand.
Sabu at first was taken away on a stretcher so he couldn't shake RVD's hand at first, but then he came back out and attempted to shake RVD's hand. But RVD would refuse to shake Sabu's hand and slap his hand away.
8 WWE: Vs. Steve Austin & Kurt Angle, No Mercy 2001
All three superstars brought a unique element to the match. Stone Cold Steve Austin brought the power and the charisma, RVD brought the high-flying ability, and Kurt Angle brought his amateur wrestling prowess to the table.
Stone Cold would retain his WWF Championship against the other two opponents. Both Vince and Shane McMahon would interfere with this match but it would end up costing RVD the match because Stone Cold would his the stunner on him for the win.
7 ECW: Vs. Jerry Lynn, Hardcore Heaven 1999
RVD would retain his ECW World Television Championship against Lynn, in the longest match of the night. RVD would show his respect to Lynn by giving him a high five after the match. Lynn and RVD have worked together for years and their chemistry showed in this match. This one of the greatest rivalries in ECW history.
6 WWE: Vs. Chris Jericho, Unforgiven 2001
Van Dam would retain his WWF Hardcore Championship against Jericho in a Hardcore Match. When it comes to wrestling styles, RVD and Jericho were very similar back then.
Stephanie McMahon would distract Jericho, and RVD would hit a frog splash on Jericho for the win. It's impressive that both RVD & Jericho is still wrestling at a high level till this day.
5 ECW: RVD & Sabu Vs. The Eliminators, CyberSlam 1997
Van Dam and Sabu already shared a lot of chemistry together so it only made sense for them to be a tag team. This pay-per-view was similar to this year's WrestleMania in that it was a two-night show. On the first night, it would be a tables and ladders match between RVD & Sabu vs The Eliminators for the World Tag Team Championships.
The Eliminators would retain the tag team titles both nights and unfortunately for RVD, he would be the one that got hit with their finisher, Total Elimination, both nights and cost him and Sabu the opportunity to win the titles. Both nights were heated because RVD showed no sign of respect for The Eliminators which is probably why he got hit with their finishers both nights.
4 WWE: Vs. Christian, Raw 2003
In a ladder match for Intercontinental Title, RVD would win and become the new IC Champion after defeating Christian. RVD would hit a frog splash off of a ladder to seal the win and grab the title from the ladder.
This match felt like more of an ECW match with how heavily both men used the ladders as weapons.
3 ECW: Vs. Lance Storm, Guilty As Charged 1999
This would be the first ever Guilty As Charged pay-per-view. Originally, Rob Van Dam was supposed to defend his ECW World Television Championship against Masato Tanaka but Tanaka wasn't able to get into the United States in time for the match.
It would end up being a blessing in disguise as the two worked well together. Storm is more of a techincal wrestler while Van Dam is more quick and agile. It didn't matter thought, because RVD would adjust his wrestling style to Storm's. RVD would even use a german suplex to pick up the win and retain his title.
2 WWE: Vs. Eddie Guerrero, Raw 2002
RVD would win the Intercontinental Title off of Eddie Guerrero in a ladder match.
This is another pair of wrestlers that share very similar wrestling styles. RVD would knock Eddie into the barricade outside the ring and use that opportunity to grab the title. Benoit would watch this match by ringside and he showed how impressed he was with the match. It wasn't a pay-per-view match but it felt like it with how both men competed.
1 ECW: Vs. Jerry Lynn, Living Dangerously 1999
Another great match between these two big rivals. RVD would retain his ECW World Television Championship against Lynn. This match was the longest one of the night and actually ended in a twenty-minute time limit draw and the ref would make the decision to award Lynn with the title.
But Lynn said he wanted to win the title cleanly and the match would resume with RVD pulling off the win.