There is now “tremendous heat” on Rob Van Dam for refusing to go on the annual Tribute to the Troops trip for the second time. Technically, because the WWE can’t guarantee the safety of the performers in a war zone, and considering that they are independent contractors, they can’t be forced to go. However, there is an unwritten rule in WWE that if you’re asked to go, you go. His refusal to go on the trip explains RVD’s lessened push in recent weeks. Before he refused to go on the trip, the plan was to do a slow build for a Lashley vs. RVD for the ECW title program in 2007. Plans may or may not have changed, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they did.
NMB sent in the following report in regards to meeting Tommy Dreamer after Sunday’s ECW PPV … I talked with Dreamer briefly after December To Disappoint tonight. He hung around after the show and there was a small crowd of people coming up to him pissed off. I asked Dreamer if Sabu not being there tonight had anything to do with him leaving ECW. He said “I don’t know for sure, but it’s probably the case.” I then asked if the rumors about RVD leaving are true and he didn’t say yes or no, just “Him and Sabu might not be the only ones, man.” Then I asked if December To Disappoint was the final bullet in the head for ECW and he told me “ECW’s been dead, I’m now realizing it. The only part of it still alive are you guys.” Then we shook hands, hugged and he said “I’m sorry.”
