Rob Van Dam Says WWE Wanted To Turn Him Heel And Make Him A Paul Heyman Guy

Rob Van Dam has had an impressive run in the world of professional wrestling over the course of his career. He’s the only man to ever hold the WWE and ECW World Championship simultaneously, and ECW is the brand that put him on the map.

The former World Champion has a long history with Paul Heyman, and he recently revealed to Sports Illustrated that WWE wanted to turn him heel, and make him a “Paul Heyman Guy” during his last run.

“The office wanted to put me with Paul and turn me heel. But I already have one foot out the door in wrestling, so why change to a heel when I’m on my way out? I’ve been so willing to stay strong and stick to my guns for so long when it comes to my beliefs. I’m a symbol to people for a lot of different things, and changing me to a heel, at the last minute, could change that.”

After parting ways with the company in 2007, Rob Van Dam returned to WWE in 2013, and he stayed for a little over a year. Although he didn’t become a “Paul Heyman Guy” he did align himself with Alberto Del Rio’s former ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez for a short amount of time.

As far as another run with WWE is concerned, Van Dam seems open to the idea if he can work out the right deal with the company.

Related: Rob Van Dam On If He Thinks He’ll Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame And More

“I hope that the right opportunity presents itself so that I will do another run with WWE. For me, the fans missing me and wanting to see me on TV is very important, but the business end of it also has to be right.”

In his interview with Sports Illustrated, Rob Van Dam also talks about what he’s been up as of late, Sabu’s current condition, his thoughts on Jeff Hardy‘s heel run in TNA and more. You can check out the full interview here.