Rob Van Dam recently shared the circumstances leading to his departure from WWE in 2007 during an episode of 1 Of A Kind With RVD.
The WWE Hall of Famer explained that the demanding schedule and his need for a break from the spotlight were the driving factors behind his decision to part ways with the promotion.
Van Dam acknowledged feeling guilty about leaving his fans but emphasized the necessity of rest. “There’s no way I could have continued under those conditions. Some suggest I’d still be champion if not for Edge, but that was two decades ago,” he stated, downplaying nostalgic comparisons.
He further reflected that while he could have physically kept pace with peers, the mental toll made continuation unsustainable. Van Dam admitted he lacked the dedication to fully commit his life to wrestling beyond his current commitments.
“I always disliked the pressure of being ‘over’ when I was already working. Crowd signs reading ‘RVD’ felt insufficient. I resented that my support never translated into true belonging,” he expressed, highlighting his struggle with recognition versus acceptance.
Van Dam revealed he was counting down hours toward freedom, describing burnout and yearning for simple pleasures like sleeping in without travel. He noted that injuries and odd suspensions only extended his desire for respite, adding, “When I asked for more time after my cannabis suspension or injury recovery, it was clear I needed an escape.”
“I cherish being home, relaxing, and escaping the chaos of pretending to be someone I’m not,” he said, concluding that his departure was necessary: “I was losing my mind. Physically, I might have survived, but mentally, I couldn’t.”
The former WWE Champion later addressed his 2013 return, noting that the grueling schedule persisted. He recounted questioning his survival: “Am I going to make it six more weeks? The travel demands were unbearable—I’d have warned them it’s impossible without more rest periods,” he warned, underscoring the physical and mental toll of constant movement.
