RVD on Retirement, Legacy, and Why WWE Missed a Perfect Chance with John Cena
Rob Van Dam has never been the type to play by the usual wrestling script. While most veterans either cling on too long or walk away with a grand farewell, RVD is approaching the idea of retirement in the most “RVD way” possible: with a shrug and a grin. Speaking recently on his 1 of a Kind podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer admitted that he could call it quits tomorrow and be at peace with it.
“I don’t have anything left, except for just to keep cashing in on my name value,” he said in his trademark laid-back tone. “I could retire anytime. I go with the flow. And I thought that maybe I would have been retired by now, but the more I talk about that, the more my value goes up. And I’m still in great shape. I can still do everything I ever could do.”
It’s classic RVD, honest, a little self-aware, and rooted in reality. He knows he isn’t the weekly workhorse he once was. He knows the bumps take longer to heal. Yet he also knows his stock as a part-time attraction has probably never been higher. Every time his name trends, people start fantasy-booking another comeback. In today’s WWE, scarcity adds intrigue, and RVD understands that better than most.
The Cena Match That Never Happened (But Should Have)
When John Cena announced 2025 would be his final year as an in-ring performer, the wrestling world began buzzing with speculation about who his last opponents might be. Randy Orton? Cody Rhodes? Maybe a Hollywood crossover cameo from The Rock? All logical picks. Still, there’s one name that keeps popping up among long-time fans: Rob Van Dam.
It makes sense. Their history is etched into wrestling folklore. Anyone who watched ECW One Night Stand in 2006 remembers the night RVD pinned Cena to win the WWE Championship in front of one of the most hostile crowds in wrestling history. It wasn’t just a title change; it was a cultural moment. Cena was the face of the machine, RVD was the rebel outsider, finally getting his due. That energy has never been replicated.
Imagine running that back in 2025, with both men in the twilight of their careers. It doesn’t need to be a 25-minute marathon. It doesn’t even need a title attached. All it needs is the nostalgia, the storytelling, and the symbolism of two icons sharing the ring one more time. Cena gets his curtain call. RVD gets a spotlight that honors his legacy. Fans get a match that ties up a story nearly two decades in the making.
The frustrating part? WWE hasn’t pulled the trigger. Cena is winding down his farewell tour, and RVD has made it clear he’s open to the idea of stepping in for the right moment. The window is closing, and if WWE doesn’t seize it, they’ll miss a golden opportunity.
RVD’s Part-Time Blueprint
What separates RVD from most veterans is his refusal to commit to a strict retirement plan. He’s not teasing comebacks every six months like some legends. He’s not making dramatic announcements only to reverse them later. Instead, he’s crafted a middle path: stay active in projects like his podcast, keep his body in ring shape, and be ready to accept the occasional payday when it feels right.
It’s a model that fits the modern wrestling landscape. The business no longer demands that legends wrestle full schedules. A single well-timed appearance, whether it’s in WWE or elsewhere, can generate as much buzz as a six-month run in the past. RVD has tapped into that reality.
He’s also expanded beyond the ring. His 1 of a Kind with RVD podcast gives him a platform to connect with fans without taking bumps, while his work with OnlyWrestlers shows he understands how digital media can extend a wrestler’s career. Rather than fading quietly, he’s turned himself into a presence that doesn’t depend solely on in-ring performances.
From a fan’s perspective, this is probably the best version of RVD we could hope for. He doesn’t overstay his welcome. He doesn’t risk tarnishing his legacy with sluggish matches every few weeks. Instead, he appears just enough to remind people why he’s special.
Legacy Still in Motion
So where does that leave Rob Van Dam today? He sits in an unusual space. He could retire tomorrow, never wrestle again, and his Hall of Fame career would be celebrated for decades. Or he could lace up the boots one more time and still deliver a five-star frog splash that leaves fans buzzing.
The truth is, he doesn’t need WWE anymore. His legacy is secure, and his name value is intact. What fans want is a moment, one more shared chapter that honors both RVD and the era he represents. Cena’s final tour offered the perfect stage for that, and many will argue that WWE dropped the ball if they fail to book it.
For now, RVD is at peace. He’s not desperate for the spotlight. He’s not begging for one last run. He’s content knowing he can still go if he wants to, but doesn’t have to prove anything anymore. That kind of self-awareness is rare in wrestling, and it might be the reason he’ll always be remembered differently from his peers.
Final Thoughts
Rob Van Dam once defined himself by the risks he took inside the ring. Today, he defines himself by the choices he doesn’t make. Retirement isn’t a looming shadow for him; it’s simply an option on the table. If WWE ever decides to book that long-awaited rematch with John Cena, fans would get one of the most poetic send-offs possible. If not, RVD has already written enough history to last a lifetime.
