An unexpected appearance by Rob Van Dam thrilled fans in the audience during the September 13 episode of “SmackDown.” Although his time on screen was short, it initiated conversations regarding the current atmosphere backstage in WWE. During an episode of “One of a Kind,” RVD shared his thoughts on the locker room environment, indicating that it has changed compared to previous years.
He mentioned, “In general, I hung out in catering quite a bit, saw a lot of the wrestlers… the boys don’t look so tired anymore.” Van Dam observed that the talent seemed genuinely happy to be present and part of an enjoyable experience.
Reflecting on the past, he noted, “It used to be a different kind of vibe after a long drawn-out day of tired people trying to get to the end of the day, and it didn’t ring true to that so much this time.” He added that many people had told him about the positive changes, and he confirmed, “But I gotta say, they wasn’t lying.”
In response to his co-host’s inquiry about how WWE’s atmosphere compared to AEW’s, Van Dam provided insights based on his experiences in both locker rooms.
He stated, “it seemed to me like more of a happy and having fun vibe in both places as opposed to… the tired, long, drawn-out days.” He suggested that recent adjustments in the way wrestling shows are managed might be contributing to improved morale among performers.
WWE has recently reduced its house show schedule, a decision that has reportedly been well-received behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Van Dam continues to make appearances in wrestling, albeit less frequently, participating in matches on the independent circuit and occasionally in AEW.