Why Rob Van Dam Can't Wrestle For WWE Anymore

Post-concussion woes for the former WWE Champion.

by Andy H Murray
Rob Van Dam 2013 thumbs pose
WWE.com

Former WWE Superstar Rob Van Dam remains sporadically active on the independent circuit, even at 46 years old, but you won't see the popular star back on Raw or SmackDown anytime soon.

According to TheBlast.com, a "visual impairment" caused by a concussion suffered in November 2016 has "disqualified [me] from working for WWE," as per the terms outlined in the company's Concussion Management Program protocol. The claims were made in papers filed as part of RVD's ongoing divorce proceedings.

The former WWE and ECW Champion suffered the affliction while wrestling Pentagon Jr. for England's Preston City Wrestling. It saw the veteran fly out of the ring and use a steel chair, with RVD taking a couple of big bumps throughout, though he was competing again by December.

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Now in his 27th year in the business, Van Dam claims he has "aged out" of wrestling partly because of his inability to rejoin WWE, which has "substantially reduced" his income. He last worked for the company back in August 2014, but has fulfilled a number of independent dates in 2017, including a featured spot at ICW's flagship Fear & Loathing event last month.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.