When asked why he signed a new contract with IMPACT Wrestling, Rob Van Dam was very clear. “Money,” said the WWE and ECW veteran to The Hannibal TV. “Who has enough money? I am not looking to be extra busy and I enjoy chilling at home, but when a deal is right then the deal is right.”
He went on to explain his schedule the past couple years, saying that he typically did 10-12 matches. “I consider myself semi-retirement but now that I have a signed agreement it doesn’t look like I’ll do many more matches, but we keep adding a few more on. I’m back but at the same time, I’m probably not gonna be putting the boots on more than I had been. It’s just gonna be on television, so it’ll count a whole lot more.”
He also explained that Scott D’Amore was pivotal in making the deal come together. “He was talking to me and at first it was one match. When I agreed to that match, I didn’t know there was IMPACT. I knew I was talking to Scott D’Amore but I didn’t know all he does. Then when I got the contract, I was like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s cool.’ Then he started talking about doing future dates. People think I’m super selective about my bookings, but my standards are a lot higher than everyone else’s. They’re trying to get out there and work their asses off. I already did that. I worked hard to not work hard. So, when people meet my fee then I come out of the house … IMPACT is taking care of RVD or I wouldn’t be there.”
He ended the interview by saying that he knows some fans wish his reason for returning was different. “I know people want to hear me say that I missed being in the ring and that I’m looking at these guys and I’ll have great matches and that’s why I’m back. But come on, that’s a given. When you’ve got RVD, you’ve got the whole f’n show.”
