WWE Legend and Hall of Famer Considering Retirement After Recent Controversial Takes
WWE Hall of Famer and former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam may finally be nearing the end of his in-ring career. The 53-year-old legend, known to fans as “The Whole F’n Show,” has been sidelined for months with a severe heel injury that has left his future in doubt.
Van Dam made his name in ECW’s hardcore revolution before transitioning to WWE, where he reached the pinnacle of sports entertainment. His career highlight came in 2006, when he defeated John Cena at One Night Stand to capture the WWE Championship in front of one of the most rabid crowds in history. Beyond WWE, RVD has competed for TNA/Impact and even stepped into an AEW ring for a handful of matches.
The last time Rob Van Dam (RVD) wrestled was in an April 20th 2024 episode of AEW Rampage in a four-way elimination match. The last time RVD appeared on WWE television was at the NXT 2300 Arena show on November 06, 2024. In May 2025, he revealed he suffered a double heel fracture, which has kept him out of action since the previous year match and is the reason for his absence from the ring ever since.
A Painful Road Back
Speaking on TMZ Inside The Ring, Van Dam detailed the long recovery process from his calcaneus fracture sustained in April 2025 — an injury that has already kept him out of action for more than five months:
“I feel like I’m between the middle and the end of it… I thought I was looking at like eight, nine weeks, and I’d be back. I’m at a point now where I can see improvement all the time, but I’m nowhere near ready to wrestle. I’m not jumping or even running yet.”
The candid admission paints a grim picture for RVD’s return. While he insists he’s not ruling anything out, the Hall of Famer acknowledged he’s unsure whether he will ever wrestle again.
“Sure, it’s possible. I think anything’s possible. And I’m not ruling anything out personally, as far as whether I want to continue or not, after my heels are completely 100%… I change my mind like every few days about it.”
Never Far From Controversy
Even while inactive, Van Dam has kept his name in the headlines—often for the wrong reasons. Several times this year, he has made waves with his controversial takes on the Raja Jackson–Syko Stu incident, and Matt Riddle situation—which drew heavy criticism across the wrestling community. As Wrestling.news reported at the time, his commentary was slammed as insensitive and “out of touch” by many fans and peers.
That history of blunt, unfiltered opinions makes Van Dam a divisive figure. While some fans would love to see one last RVD run, others may be relieved if the former champion quietly hangs up his boots and cements his legacy in the past rather than continuing to court controversy.
🎙️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Rob Van Dam is one of the most unique performers of his generation — innovative, authentic, and always himself. But his injury and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery bring his career to a crossroads. Add in his recent controversial takes on Raja Jackson attacking Syko Stu, Matt Riddle support, and the public perception of RVD has never been more complicated.
If he decides to retire, he leaves behind an incredible highlight reel and a Hall of Fame career that needs no second act. If he returns, the question is whether fans will embrace him for his athleticism and legacy — or continue to judge him for the things he’s said outside the ring. Either way, RVD remains a lightning rod, and his decision will get the wrestling world talking.
RVDs 'Last Match' on AEW Rampage 4/20/24 👇
