10 Things We Learned From Bruce Prichard’s Rob Van Dam Podcast
6. Paul Heyman Was Dead Set Against RVD Vs. The Undertaker
One of Heyman's primary concerns was the idea of RVD being fed or squashed by top WWE names so early in his run. That's why he was verbally against Van Dam working with The Undertaker at Vengeance 2001. Prichard, McMahon (and everyone else writing TV back then) felt differently.
'Taker himself also told Bruce that he couldn't wait to work with Rob because of his exclusive style. Vince agreed, feeling Rob's strike-based offence and unorthodox approach to matches would bring out a new side in the freshly-turned-heel veteran's character.
As anyone who watched Vengeance '01 can attest, it worked a treat. Van Dam and 'Taker beat the crap out of one another.
Although Prichard didn't reveal what Heyman had to say afterwards, he did spend a bit of time on the podcast telling of Paul's worry for Rob that The Undertaker might "eat him alive" on pay-per-view.