Rob Van Dam Speaks Out – Advocating Marijuana, WWE/TNA, Ryback

Rob Van Dam, who was in Phoenix last week for the Bound For Glory on-sale, was interviewed by The Phoenix New Times. RVD spoke on the differences between wrestling for TNA and WWE and also revealed that WWE Superstar Ryback asked him for permission to use his airbrush artist. Here are the highlights.

The differences between wrestling for TNA and WWE: “In Total Nonstop Action, individual wrestlers have a lot more freedom to artistically express themselves versus WWE,” Van Dam explained. “When we have our matches, they are known to be more athletic, more competitive in nature, and that’s what wrestling fans really appreciate. And the fact there’s more of a focus on wrestling in Total Nonstop Action over the other major company on TV. Whereas WWE has been known to feature more of the 400-pound giants that aren’t necessarily going to [perform] quite as impressively. TNA focuses more on the wrestler’s abilities and skills and gives them a chance to shine out there in front of the fans.

“It’s also more of an up-close-and-personal experience where wrestlers are more accessible and there’s a lot of times spent on meeting the fans. And Bound For Glory will be no different and we’ll be there on October 14 with a big meet-and-greet. The day before that is also something called ‘TNA Fan InterAction,’ which all the top stars will be there as well. People can meet and talk to their wrestlers and get their photos taken with ‘em.”

Ryback asking him for permission to use his airbrush artist: “Ryback reached out to me and asked for permission to use the same airbrush artist that I use, Joe Holland in Savannah, Georgia,” he said. “The guy’s been making me the same outfits since like 1995 and he doesn’t do a lot work for wrestlers. And I’m all for anyone that can make more business off of things they do for me. Ryback has my blessing [and] I’m flattered that he’s a fan of mine. He’s been very respectful in reaching out to me. I haven’t met the guy but have nothing but respect for him.”

Being a fan of marijuana and a big supporter of medicalization. If he smokes out regularly: Um, that’s more of a personal question than a direct question that my character talks about. It’s not so much part of the show as just [something] connecting me to that culture. A lot of my fans are in that culture and when I’m not wrestling I’m a strong advocate for ending the marijuana prohibition. Not to mention I also help educate people about medicinal marijuana programs. Since you brought it up, I’d love to tell everybody that it’s impossible to overdose from marijuana. Everyone’s brainwashed into thinking it’s a harmful drug but its not. It’s the most resourceful plant that we have on the entire planet. Medicinally, recreationally, materially…it could basically replace so many huge conglomerate and big corporate businesses, which is the reason why its outlawed.

You can read the complete article at this link.