– When joining Chris Jericho’s “Talk is Jericho” podcast, Rob Van Dam appeared to take a veiled shot at CM Punk walking out on the company. The comment came when the pair were discussing Rob Van Dam’s WWE departure in 2007 due to burn out:
“I took three years off. When I first left WWE, I was so burned out. I had been burned out for much of my run there. I had been asking for time off, not getting it, getting further burned out,”
“So, when my contract ran out – I’m not one of these guys who walks out in the middle of their contract. Whatever. Everyone handles their business differently. But, I finished the deal. And then I was like, ‘I fulfilled my obligation. I don’t care if I ever step in the ring again.'”
RVD attributed the feeling of burn-out to his decision to join TNA in 2010, which ironically led him back to WWE in 2013, albeit on a part-time basis.
“I had a three-year contract with TNA… My pay and my deal was such that I had a number of matches that I would in a year.”
Van Dam also recalled the company paying him “overtime” at a time when he was waiting for his deal to run out. On negotiating a new deal, TNA called to negotiate but the absence of a starting date became an issue. RVD said management was deferring responsibility on his contract and not calling him back to finish contract talks.
“It got to the point where I was offended… The thing wasn’t happening with TNA.”
On his return to WWE, Van Dam reached out to the company which set in motion his return. On his most recent run, Van Dam put over Alberto Del Rio and Cesaro while commenting there’s “no room for guys who suck” in the company anymore.
On his TNA run, RVD spoke highly about his matches with Samoa Joe, Abyss, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, and A.J. Styles.
RVD’s entire interview with Chris Jericho can be heard HERE.
