TNA Quarter Finals: Rob Van Dam vs. the Rock: Ladder Match

[Shocky]

Mr. Monday Night Rob Van Dam vs. The Rock​

The Following matchup takes place in Orlando, FL in the Impact Zone. All matches take place in a six sided ring.

Ladder Match:
A briefcase will be hung above the ring. The first one to acquire the briefcase via the ladder will be the winner of the match.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Wow, awesome match!

Both men have had experience in a ladder match setting. Van Dam won MITB. Rock lost a tough one to HHH at Summer Slam. Which way does one go here?

I want to go with Van Dam because the match favors high spots. I also want to vote Rock because we've seen him sadistic and able enough to use a ladder to destroy an opponent. This is tough.

In the end? Rock goes over Van Dam. Not sure why. But he just does - barely.

 

[wcu77manu]

RVD goes for the flopsplash off the ladder, he misses it. Rock sets up the rock bottom, the peoples elbow. the rock climbs the ladder and the grabs the briefcase, and the PEOPLES CHAMP MOVES ON. RVD, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS. come on people, rock is a multi time world champion, not a one time BS ecw champ. vote rock

 

[Shocky]

Not to say who I'm picking yet, but come on, RVD was a one time ECW champion. So what. The guy busted his ass off for ten years and should have been handed the title on a silver platter back in 1997. RVD may have fucked up royally in 2005, but he was a very deserving champion. The Rock is a multi time world champion, who gives a crap honestly. They were a total of 7 of the more forgetabble title reigns in history, and that's not counting his two terrible runs as 2 time WCW champion. Hell, John's Cenas three title reigns have more weight then the Rock's 9 title reigns.

 

[klunderbunker]

I went with RVD simply because of the gimmick. I forgot about the summerslam match with HHH. Rvd should win this, but he has to be careful. Rock is still the Rock and could find a way to win it. I gave it to rvd also based on the 6 sided ring, as it gives him more room to jump around and takes away rock's home court advantage, as if this was wwe there wouldn't be much of a point to having a match at all. Rvd, but he has to be careful in a very good match.

 

[Uncle Sam]

How dare you disrespect The Rock in such a manner, CA!? The man is a living legend, and the wrestling world would not be the same without him. He's certainly made more of an impact than that stoned ECW piece of crap. Sorry, I'm just a bit pissed. Rock is one of my favourites ever, and I find that he's underrated simply because his style wasn't particularly exciting - like Christian for example. Or Stone Cold Steve Austin even.

Really, it's very tough to call. The Rock's not really built for aerial moves, but RVD is known to hurt himself performing his. And he fucks up, too. I'll go for The Rock. Van Dam screws up one spot too many and spends the night in the emergency room, while Rocky claims... erm, the piece of paper that says "u go 2 nxt rnd now, plz."

 

[Lil Wes]

RVD was a one time ECW champion.

That itself should be an embarrassment and clear showing of why The Rock is 10x the wrestler/entertainer that RVD is.

So what.

So? It's ECW. Enough said. What was ECW? Nothing.

The guy busted his ass off for ten years and should have been handed the title on a silver platter back in 1997.

What does a title reign matter if it isn't in one of the two big companies with massive fanbases?

RVD couldn't make it big in either one at the time. Why he even got a title run in 06, I'll never know.

RVD may have fucked up royally in 2005, but he was a very deserving champion.

If ten years of hard work, weak drawing ability, spot monkeyness and the charisma of a 2x4 = Deserving Champion. Let's give the belt to Jeff Hardy

The Rock is a multi time world champion,

In the WWF. With millions of fans and fantastic title reigns, matches and feuds.

who gives a crap honestly.

Millions of fans.

They were a total of 7 of the more forgetabble title reigns in history,

The Rock is a fucking legend. This is just mindless bashing. Ask any regular WWE fan of today what they remember of RVD's world title reigns from any company and see what they say.

Hell, John's Cenas three title reigns have more weight then the Rock's 9 title reigns.

LMAO. Oh please. Where has Cena drew a 6, 7 or 8 rating? Where is a classic 5 star Cena feud? Where is a classic Cena title reign? The year long one? It was quite possibly the most boring reign I've ever seen. When are roofs exploding weekly? Where are the loads and loads of classic promos? Where is Cena's title reigns against true competition like WCW? Where has the wrestling world changed all because of Cena?

As a matter of fact to get back on topic. Where has all of this happened for RVD? RVD cant even shine Rock's boots.

 

[Shocky]

See, I say one thing bad about the Rock and people come crawling out of the wood work. I didn't say that the Rock was better then RVD, but a vote for RVD in a ladder match over the Rock, in a six sided ring, is certainly justifiable.

How many ladder matches has the Rock been in, I remember two, it could be more. RVD is fan fucking tastic at ladder matches, and this match suits him more. Plain and simple. Is RVD Spotty, yup, but he's better then that shmuck Jeff Hardy any day of the week. Watch the Hardy/RVD ladder match, Hardy isn't fit to be in the same building with RVD.

I bashed the Rock's title reigns, and I damn well am glad too any day of the week. His first title reign was a joke, he lost to Mankind in his only title defense. His second title reign lasted what, a week. He wins the belt back again and loses it a month later to Austin at Wrestlemania. So how exactly in his first three title reigns is he a strong champion?

His fourth reign, again, another month long meaningless title reign and he loses it. His fifth reign at KOTR 2000, finally, finally a good title reign. When you have five tries, I guess you can finaly get it done right. No complaints with this one. Loses it in October to Angle, gets it back in February just in time for what, you guessed it, another meaningless one month title reign, whoopy dee fucking doo.

Number 7, they hot shot the belt on him to lose...yet again in a month to Brock Lesnar. World title reign number 8 is his first run with the WCW title, and he loses it to Jericho with nearly zero quality matches or memoable feuds along the way. Number 9, another meaningless title reign that last two months which was lost in the end of the Alliance storyline.

So where oh where was I wrong about the Rock having 8 of the most forgettable title reigns in history. He had one good title reign out of 9, that's pretty weak. I didn't say the Rock sucked, I didn't say he wasn't entertaining. What I am saying is, he was a very forgettable world champion that is known more for his promos then his matches, and in a ladder match in a six sided ring, he can be beat by RVD. Voting against RVD sounds more like the blind RVD hating then me being a Blind Rocky hater.

 

[emperor.indian]

RVD maybe the perhaps the best guy to jump of a ladder.
but WINNING ladder matches REQUIRE more than that.

in my opinion one has to first lay down the opponent or incapacitate him so much that the opponent cant resist you going up the ladder or has the power to shake up the ladder when you are at top. AGREED THAT LADDER MATCH AND SIX SIDED RING WEIGH IN FAVOUR OF RVD , still the rock is more likely to
1. beat down rvd bloody and away from the ring so that he gets time to climb the ladder and win
2. make rvd fall from top of the ladder (by shaking it or pushing it with RVD falling taking a huge bump) or miss a RVD SPOT (5 STAR FROG SPLASH) from the top of the ladder( RVD GETS INJURED)
3. beat rvd using chairs, or laying him senseless after a huge ROCK BOTTOM THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE
4. ROCK takes his time, picks his spot and FINALLY...........gets the win

ROCK MAY NOT BE TECHNICALLY VERY ACCOMPALISHED BUT HE IS SMART ENOUGH TO LOOK GOOD IN ANY MATCH ANY ARENA ANY PROMOTION

so i see RVD coming close to winning it but the rock MOST likely to win it.

title reigns have nothing to do with the ability to WIN a match in my opinion (EVEN if rocks title reigns werent good it doesnt hurt his chances of winning this match IN MY OPINION)

THE ROCK WINS A MATCH THAT RVD THREATENS MORE THAN TWICE TO TAKE AWAY BUT COULDNT

 

[wcu77manu]

i would never hate on rvd, but he is not in the rock's class. to be honest i dont care what type of match it is, i just cant see the rock losing to rvd. he isnt in the same league as the peoples champ. rock is a main event guy, rvd just isnt on that level.

 

[Bernkastel]

Talk about people having such biased opinions, its almost like the actual match setting carries no weight whatsoever, never mind that the ladder match was one of RVD's forte's and specially matches, and a match that the Rock rarely competed in. But oh, the great Rock, who has held the title like a gazillion times will go over Van Dam just based on his popularity. Whats next? I wouldn't be surprised if you guys vote Shawn Michaels over Vader in a Bodyslam match

I'm going with RVD on this one, Van Dam has far more experience than the Rock when it comes to Ladder Matches. While I'm sure it probably wouldn't take The Rock very long to find his stride, IMO, he would always would be just one step Behind Van Dam as RVD exercises his craftiness and knowledge of utilizing the ladder in order to hit the high spots, keep The Rock down, and climb the ladder to get the victory.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Van Dam definitely has the advantage with the arena and the stipulation, don't get me wrong. I just think that a) he'd throw it away by taking unnecessary risks, which'll cost him in a singles ladder match and b) The Rock is just that much better than Van Dam, and could beat him in almost any setting. Not to mention that The Rock has an awful habit of kipping up - probably to send RVD tumbling to the outside in this scenario - and I think that it's perfectly acceptable to vote Rock.

 

[Bernkastel]

RVD has the clear advantage going into this match, and the Rock's greatness aside, thats all he really needs to be able to go over Rock. sure RVD could make a mistake, but then so could the Rock, and in a match that he doesn't have nearly as much experience in as Van Dam, any mistakes Rock would make (which would probably be more than what RVD would make in this match scenario) RVD would immediately capitalize on them.

Like I said, I don't think Rock would do horribly in this match, but I think he'd be one step behind RVD the whole match, the only way I see Rock winning this would be if RVD accidentally takes himself out, but in a match with this much importance riding on in, I'm sure RVD would bring his A game.

 

[Uncle Sam]

I think a mistake by Van Dam would be far more significant. After all, The Rock isn't going to be leaping off any ladders, is he? His moveset is far less self-harming than Van Dam, and he knows how to use the ladder as a weapon rather than a platform from which to jump. He could easily take RVD apart on the ground before taking a leg apart with a ladder, thus taking away Van Dam's advantage. Of course, RVD always tried his best to fight while injured, but he'd still not be operating at 100%.

 

[Bernkastel]

I think a mistake by Van Dam would be far more significant. After all, The Rock isn't going to be leaping off any ladders, is he?

You never know, The Rock is "the Great One", I could see a Peoples Elbow attempt from the top of the ladder

and he knows how to use the ladder as a weapon rather than a platform from which to jump.

So does RVD, he could utilize the ladder as a weapon probably better than the Rock could

He could easily take RVD apart on the ground before taking a leg apart with a ladder, thus taking away Van Dam's advantage.

So could RVD, except with his high spot type offense, RVD would probably wind up injuring himself as well as The Rock

Of course, RVD always tried his best to fight while injured, but he'd still not be operating at 100%.

And what happens when the Rock stops operating at 100% in this match, surely his odds of winning would decrease even further

 

[Uncle Sam]

You never know, The Rock is "the Great One", I could see a Peoples Elbow attempt from the top of the ladder

Erm, yeah.

So does RVD, he could utilize the ladder as a weapon probably better than the Rock could

I think The Rock sees it more as a swingable object, and RVD sees it more as something to jump off of and onto. RVD definitely has the more options as far as the ladder is concerned, I just see this as a closer version of Undertaker/Jeff Hardy.

So could RVD, except with his high spot type offense, RVD would probably wind up injuring himself as well as The Rock

I could imagine RVD going for some insane high spot and The Rock having the presence of mind to move out the way. Then it'd be over. The Rock isn't capable of making a mistake of that significance.

And what happens when the Rock stops operating at 100% in this match, surely his odds of winning would decrease even further

Presuming you can in fact injure The Rock. This is all really a moot point, as people are just voting for Van Dam on the stipulation alone.

 

[Capt. Charisma]

No chance in hell does RVD beat the Rock here. People talk about the match favouring RVD, yea it does but the rock has experiance of ladder matches too. I remember him having a rather good one with HHH. RVD is good I admit it, but to put him over a guy that has been in as many main event big matches as the Rock is plain stupid.

Rock ok wasnt the most technicaly sound but he was still a solid wrestler, and this match doesn't favour a technical wrestler anyway. This would be a good match because I agree RVD performs well in this enviroment, but his high flying style works against him here.

RVD instead of going for the belt RVD spends too much time showboating, and tries to 5-star the rock, misses crashes through about a million tables, and Rock climbs to the top and wins. End of.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Well for one. The Rock wouldm't need to compete in a ladder match. He has done, but he get's heat eating a hotdog.

RVD is apparently a spot monkey. And spot monkeys participate in Ladder matches. He'd be able to come up with more innovative offence. He'd have more ways of waering The Rock down. RVD wins.

 

[emperor.indian]

i want to throw in another perspective. NONE OF THE COMPETITORS IN MY OPINION IS GOING TO WIN THIS MATCH UNLESS
1. one wrestler is severy injured
2. the other wrestler has been down OUTSIDE THE RING
3. there is ENOUGH time to
a. set UP the ladder
b. POSTION IT in the centre of the ring at the right spot
c. CLIMB IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP
d. REACH UP ANG GRAB AND FREE THE BRIEFCASE ( just barely getting a hand to touch it isnt enough)

ROCK IS WAY SMARTER THAN RVD
HE HAS POWER ADVANTAGE
HE HITS MORE HIGH IMPACT MOVES (eg. rock bottom, samoan drop, closeline)
ROCK HAS SLIGHT ADVANTAGE IN INTENSITY TOO

the factors favouring RVD are
1. EXPERIENCE IN LADDER MATCHES
2. HI FLYING MOVES
but these moves can even hurt RVD ( i think the rock is smart enough to dodge the 5 star frog splash from the ladder)
3. RVD HAS SPEED ADVANTAGE
he gets to climb the ladder early, more number of times and more quicjly than rock does.

BUT AS I SAID EARLIER ROCK CANT BE KEPT DOWN OR AWAY FOR SUFFIECIENT TIME FOR RVD TO WIN THIS MATCH. RVS COMES EVER SO CLOSE WINNING IT MORE THAN TWICE BUT THE ROCK WINS AFTER RVD GETS SERIOUSLY HURT EITHER BY
a. rock pushing the ladder while rvd is reaching out for the briefcase
b. rock smartly antipates and dodges a 5 start frog splash off the ladder
c. rock makes the match a brawl and takes it to the outside ( if that happens RVD LOSES HIS HI FLYING FROM THE ROPES) then rock can injure RVD by rock bottom through a table, chair shots to the head or rock can pull out a trick he used against mankind in the I QUIT MATCH (handkuff RVDS hand to rope or ringpost etc)

RVD CARRIES THE MATCH AND MAKES IT A CLASSIC BUT ROCK WINS IT FINALLY AFTER HE MAKES HIS FIRST OE SECOND ATTEMPT AFTER THE 20 MINUTE MARK.

ROCK TAKES HIS TIME, PICKS HIS SPOT AND OUTSMARTS HIS OPPONENT IN HIS OWN GAME

IF YA SMELL...................................WHAT THE ROCK IS.................... COOKING.

 

["RAVEN"]

Just like almost every other match in this round, the gimmick is perfect for the "underdog" to get the upset. RVD offense revolves exactly around matches like this. Albeit, The Rock has had Ladder matches, he doesn't have the a fraction the experience RVD does in this. And, yes, RVD will probably injure himself in this match, but doing so he will probably injure The Rock just as much, if not more so. And just like I said in the Hart V. Kane match, Rock's title reigns mean nothing in this match.

 

[Shocky]

Kudos to Mr. Sam and Charisma, because from what I've read, they are the only two to make a case for the Rock that doesn't involve...

a. Well He was a multi time world champion
b. He was very Entertaining
c. The Rock wins because he's the People's champion.

I've waited four days to vote to see if anyone can sway me, and those two are the only ones for the Rock that had made a good argument. Not enough to sway my opinion, but I give them props for at least trying.

RVD is a fucking spider monkey. Going back to the first elimination chamber match, the guy just clings to anything metal. He has been solid in any Ladder Match he has been in. RVD is a good gimmick match wrestler. When you factor in a six sided ring, which does nothing but favor RVD, a small, intimate smarky crowd which woudl do nothing but favor RVD, and a gimmick match in which the Rock has only competed in twice, the odds are overwhelmingly in RVD's favor.

I think the Rock goes over RVD almost anyday of the week in any type of match, minus a ladder match.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Kudos to Mr. Sam and Charisma, because from what I've read, they are the only two to make a case for the Rock that doesn't involve...

a. Well He was a multi time world champion
b. He was very Entertaining
c. The Rock wins because he's the People's champion.

I've waited four days to vote to see if anyone can sway me, and those two are the only ones for the Rock that had made a good argument. Not enough to sway my opinion, but I give them props for at least trying.

RVD is a fucking spider monkey. Going back to the first elimination chamber match, the guy just clings to anything metal. He has been solid in any Ladder Match he has been in. RVD is a good gimmick match wrestler. When you factor in a six sided ring, which does nothing but favor RVD, a small, intimate smarky crowd which woudl do nothing but favor RVD, and a gimmick match in which the Rock has only competed in twice, the odds are overwhelmingly in RVD's favor.

I think the Rock goes over RVD almost anyday of the week in any type of match, minus a ladder match.

Much of this post is debatable and, in fact, has been debated, so I see no point in going over it. I do, however, disagree with the part about the crowd favouring TNA. Yeah, the crowd'd love RVD, until one of the top five wrestlers of all time was introduced. As much as RVD is ex-WWE, The Rock is ex-WWE's number two man, the only guy that could compete with Stone Cold Steve Austin in terms of sheer popularity. And we all know the fans in the Impact Zone love anything ex-WWE, at least if it's reasonably big. Like Jake said, The Rock gets heat eating a hot dog.

 

[Skullz Crack'Em]

This is another debatable match-up. People will want to vote for The Rock solely because he is very popular among most fans, but he is in a ladder match against RVD, so that means bye-bye Rocky. Rob Van Dam has made a career out of winning ladder matches, it is one of his specialtys, The Rock will have to fight real hard to pull this one off, which is possible considering the fact that Rock is pretty quick on his feet and if he hits a few Rock Bottoms on RVD, he may have a chance at winning this. RVD grabs the briefcase in 20 minutes for the victory, The Rock gives him a good run for his money though in the process.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

After much deliberation, I say RVD, for two reasons...

1. This match unquestionably favors RVD, on almost every level.

2. The Rock always puts people over.

RVDs superior agility, and experience in this kind of match type makes up for The Rock being far superior in the charisma and selling departments. This would probably make for an amazing match up, but RVD is more battle tested in this kind of match up. RVD FTW