BREAKING: WWE Legend Rob Van Dam to Enter the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame

Published 03/29/2021, 1:09 PM EDT

WWE and ECW legend Rob Van Dam will enter the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. The former WWE Champion joins the likes of Molly Holly, Eric Bischoff, Kane and The Great Khali in the star-studded class of 2021. RVD formerly wrestled in IMPACT but quit the company after his contract expired.

Rob Van Dam to enter the WWE Hall of Fame

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Rob Van Dam rose to popularity is 1996 when he joined Extreme Championship Wrestling. The high-flyer portrayed a stoner gimmick which became a hit with the fans. Van Dam played a stoner, but his in-ring skills were highly contrasting.

In ECW, RVD earned the moniker of the Human Highlight Reel because of his athleticism and unique maneuvers. He held the ECW Championship once, although he held it after WWE acquired the company. During his stint with the original ECW, he held the ECW World Television Championship and the Tag Team Championship (x2) with Sabu.

RVD arrived in WWE on July 9, 2001, during the Invasion angle. He even won the Hardcore Championship from Jeff Hardy at the PPV named Invasion, which marked RVD’s proper introduction to the WWE Universe.

His popularity led to him challenging Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWE Championship at No Mercy, but he failed to win.

RVD would eventually win the WWE Championship, but he would win in 2006. The high-flyer won the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22 and cashed in the contract at ECW’s renewed One Night Stand PPV.

Fans fondly remember that PPV for the hostile reaction John Cena received, prior to losing to crowd favourite RVD.

Rob Van Dam left the WWE in 2007 after his contract expired and stayed away till 2013. He returned to compete in the MITB ladder match in 2013, after which he stayed in WWE and even challenged for the World Title. His last match in WWE came against Seth Rollins who delivered a vicious Curb Stomp to send him packing.

Second ECW Original to join the Hall of Fame

Rob Van Dam joins D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley as the only ECW Original members to enter the WWE Hall of Fame. The ECW Originals were the first bunch of wrestlers from Philadelphia to invade Raw and wreak havoc.

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The other members of his iconic group include Balls Mahoney, The Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Stevie Richards, RVD and the Dudley Boyz.

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RVD, Dreamer, Sabu and Sandman wrestled the New Breed at WrestleMania 23 in a winning effort.

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Nathan Fulgado is a WWE and AEW author at EssentiallySports. Having published close to 1000 professional wrestling articles, Nathan is currently pursuing his Journalism degree from Xavier's College. He has previously worked at Free Press Journal as a local journalist.

BREAKING: WWE Legend Rob Van Dam to Enter the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame

Rob Van Dam to enter the WWE Hall of Fame

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Second ECW Original to join the Hall of Fame