The Whole F'n Show
*points to himself*
R... V... D!
Rob Van Dam (real name: Robert Szatkowski) is a
professional wrestler who currently works for
TNA, but he became famous when he wrestled for
ECW, and later, the
WWE. One of RVD's most famous accomplishments in ECW was that he held the ECW World Television Championship for 700 consecutive days, the longest reign of any ECW title holder, and made the title as important as the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
As you might have guessed, he has an uncanny resemblance to
Jean-Claude Van Damme. Super uncanny, hyper flexible guys known more for their
cool stunts than
acting ability and have had drug problems that have harmed both of their careers. He was given the name by wrestler Ron Slinker.
You can learn more about Rob Van Dam at
The Other Wiki
.
Tropes associated with Rob Van Dam:
- Awesome, but Impractical: Somewhat invoked in real life, as Rob is credited with inventing the Van Dam Lift, a weightlifting technique where the lifter does a split between two benches and lifts a dumbbell from the ground up to the waist. While not a normal means of exercise in a gym or weight room, it is not only effective, but kinda awesome when you think about who came up with it.
- Brilliant, but Lazy: The most frequent complaint leveled at RVD by the IWC, who most find to be a great performer when he puts forth his best effort, but has been called out for not evolving his ring style, personality, or skill on the mic.
- Catch Phrase: "Nobody gets higher than ROB! VAN! DAM!" And considering RVD's hobby, that's clearly meant to be taken in regards to what he does in the ring and out.
- Combat Pragmatist: Uses chairs as his Weapon of Choice for his Finishing Moves Van Daminator and Van Terminator.
- It should be noted that he first developed these moves in ECW, where any weapon was as legal as a headlock.
- Crowning Moment of Awesome: His aforementioned nearly-two-year-long ECW World Television Championship reign.
- At ECW One Night Stand 2006, he defeated John Cena to capture the WWE Championship. The next day, he was awarded the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, making him the first ECW Champion since ECW's closure in 2001 - and the only man to hold the WWE Championship and the ECW Championship simultaneously.
- This victory is notable for being the only time that Mr. Money in the Bank won a world championship in a pre-booked match rather than running in and cashing it on an already beaten champion.
- Finishing Move: The Five-Star Frog Splash was the main one, but he also had the Van Daminator (jumping spinning back kick to an opponent holding a chair) and the Van Terminator (a "coast-to-coast"note From one corner to an adjacent corner drop kick into a downed opponent with a steel chair over their face).
- When teaming with Rey Mysterio Jr, one of their finishers was the "4:20", which involved Van Dam lifting Mysterio up and dropping him while simultaneously dropping himself into a seated position.
- It Will Never Catch On: Had a brief run in WCW. His ring name was changed because the booker didn't like the name Rob Van Dam.
- It's All About Me: His ECW character. So narcissistic that his wrestling style is 50% showboating after he does anything successfully.
- Leitmotif: During his time in ECW, he used Pantera's "Walk" as his entrance theme. In WWE, "One of a Kind". In TNA, his theme is a heavy metal Expository Theme Tune of sorts, which covers his nickname ("The Whole F'n Show!") and his signature moves ("Van Daminator! Van Terminator! Van Crushinator!")
- Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: RVD's catchphrase involves emphasizing each word while pointing to himself with both thumbs: ROB! VAN! DAM!
- Red Baron: The Whole [F'n/Damn] Show, Mr. Pay-Per-View, Mr. [Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday] Night (whether he appears on Raw, ECW, TNA iMPACT!, or Smackdown).
- The Rival/Vitriolic Best Buds: Sabu (in the ring and in Real Life).
- Slipknot Ponytail: A notable aversion. His hair almost never gets messed up during a match. Compare this (and consider his style) to wrestlers such as Scott Hall or Shawn Michaels.
- Spot Monkey: A borderline case, in which he does sell the Five-Star Frog Splash after hitting one.
- Rob's problem isn't so much that he can't sell a move, it's that he can't sell a story. Rob can't act enraged for the life of him. He always plays the passive stoner role, even against Abyss who tried to kill him, and wouldn't stop playing to the crowd during a supposed blood feud. His promos consist of him saying he's going to kick your ass, talking himself up, and then pointing to himself and saying "Rob. Van. Dam." Repeatedly, Jeff Hardy, his best friend that betrayed him was hiding behind Eric Bischoff, and all Rob can muster is a "Dude, I totally want to fight Jeff, man." Eric then said no, and Rob (who had threatened to beat the match out of Bischoff) promptly did nothing; though you could blame that on bad booking, he looked completely fine with all of it.
- I think it's just his personality; not all people can go off the deep end at a moment's notice.
- Except the whole story was, he demanded vengeance against Abyss for nearly murdering him weeks before, acting like he was going to rip Abyss to shreds. Once the match happens, it's the standard RVD match he's done for years.
- The Stoner: His gimmick, which extends into real life.
- Weapon of Choice: He incorporates the steel chair for his Finishing Moves.
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