Since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment two years ago, rumors have continued to swirl that Rob could be moving over to TNA...and those rumors kicked into high gear after he attended last month's Bound For Glory PPV in California (as a guest of Booker T) and met both Dixie Carter and Vince Russo. Now that Hulk Hogan has officially signed with TNA, how appealing is TNA to RVD? The question on the hearts and minds of fans across the globe was answered exclusively on The Mayhem.
"With Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff now in TNA, it's a very interesting time in the wrestling business...and in a very positive way," Van Dam said. "I was at Bound For Glory saying hi to some friends. And part of that was, 'Oh, hi, Dixie, nice to meet you.' We have talked on the phone...Same thing with Vince Russo. Now that Hogan and Bischoff are there, it's definitely putting a lot of energy on TNA, a lot of focus and eyes. Now if they can follow up with that, they could really, really grow." He went to add, "It's more appealing because they raised the stakes."
Many people in the wrestling industry are indeed skeptical about TNA's acquisition of "The Hulkster," with such superstars as The Honky Tonk Man saying Hogan joining the company very will could be "the end of TNA." Others have speculated that some of Hogan's long-time friends and colleagues (such as Brutus Beefacke and The Nasty Boys) could have jobs again in the business with Hogan in charge. RVD knows Hogan well (especially after having the opportunity to be a special guest trainer on last fall's "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling"), and was asked what can Hogan bring to the table at this time to TNA.
"Hulk Hogan brings credibility and name recognition," he said. A lot of people that don't watch wrestling and many haven't watched wrestling in five or ten years, they all know who Hulk Hogan is. He is a great representative of what wrestling can be. Should he have the book? I don't know. Just because you have one talent in the business, doesn't mean you have something else. I can't imagine myself having the book and being in charge. If they do allow Knobbs and Beefcake and those guys to come in, we can all say TNA wasn't that smart."
Rob was asked if the industry can get back to when there was five-star matches all the time and if there can be a rebirth of sorts:
"I would hope so, but I would understand if it went the other way too, because I had enough so I would understand when other people have had enough. I don't watch wrestling in fact I haven't watched it since 2001, so when I was in the WWE, I would record the show and fast-forward through it to my to critique it. It became about business to me, and I didn't want to watch other people work. I see what they are doing, and I'm not impressed with a lot of what I see on TV. I see people going through movements, but they have no sense of art and pro wrestling is an art."
He continued by adding: "Can we get the wrestling business fun with Hulk Hogan in TNA? I don't know but here's one thing, part of why it's not interesting to watch anymore is because it's so routine and mundane. Every match from the beginning to the end, have to be 'superstar vs. superstar.' They have to be treated like main events, they all have to go six or seven minutes, they have to back and forth all the time, and someone catches a fall. What happened to the jobber matches? Big John Studd would have a squash match with two or three guys, and then when he faced like Hulk Hogan, it meant something. But now every match, we have to see the babyface cry and sell, and the heel do his stuff, and the babyface make his big comeback. Every match? I don't enjoy that."
More goodness is contained in this exclusive interview with "The Whole F'n Show," including his candid comments and thoughts on Shane McMahon's departure from the WWE, what he would like to see more of in wrestling today, and a special "Get Well" message to the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment, Jim Ross. Don't forget to log onto www.RobVanDam.com and www.MySpace.com/GoToRobVanDam.com to get the latest on RVD TV (and how you can score a free membership), RVD Radio, and Rob's forthcoming overseas European tour!
Jeff Hardy did not show up for a scheduled court hearing on Wednesday for a probable cause hearing stemming from his September 11th arrest on multiple drug charges. The Fayetteville Observer reports that Hardy's lawyer Jeff Van Camp told them that Hardy originally intended to attend the hearing, but decided not to show up because some of the drug test lab results had not come in yet. As a result, the next hearing is has been set for December 2nd.
For more on Jeff Hardy's legal situation and the multiple felonies he's facing, click here.
- According to a report today by The Sun, Mickey Rourke says he would like to wrestle for World Wrestling Entertainment after being disallowed from competing at WrestleMania XXV earlier this year. The Academy Award-nominated actor says in his new book, Wrestling With Demons, that a clause in his contract for the Iron Man 2 prevented him from taking part in a one-on-one match with Chris Jericho due to the possibility of injury, which would delay filming.
Rourke says he walked away from WrestleMania "disappointed" due to his limited involvement with the event, which saw him punch Jericho following the WWE star's handicap elimination match with Hall of Famers "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Rourke says he wanted to put his wrestling skills to the test after training for the lead role in The Wrestler. To read The Sun's report, click here.
- This article is an UPDATE to: Chris Jericho MakesHomophobic & Racist Remarks (VIDEO)
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is effectively rejecting what they call Chris Jericho's "insincere and worn" apology for using anti-gay and racist slurs at a recent film festival.
GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios issued the following statement to TMZ.com this afternon:
"Just three months ago Chris Jericho's boss and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon acknowledged to GLAAD that words matter.
There is no time, context or occasion in which it is acceptable to utter racist and anti-gy slurs. Jericho's hollow apology 'if (he) offended anyone' is a template used by many and is insincere and worn."
Ken 'Mr. Kennedy' has a new look with dyed hair. He posted a photo of the new do on his Twitter account.
Here is the new look Kennedy: