Who should RVD's first feud be with when he returns?

[Terry Gyimah]

Mr. Monday Night himself, a Paul Heyman guy, the star of the original ECW, the only man in WWE history to be both ECW Champion and WWE Champion at the same time simultaneously is back at Money in the Bank, with RVD making his return to WWE in Philadelphia, I wonder how WWE should go about his return, so how would you book RVD's return? Or which feuds would you book him into?

 

[sanefan_har]

Not a John Cena feud. Enough of feeding that guy everything (no pun intended).

RVD should probably feud with : (in order of preference)
1. Daniel Bryan
2. CM Punk
3. Dean Ambrose
4. Kane
5. Anyone else.

The booking?? Well I'll leave that to someone like The Brain, Jack-Hammer or Lariat.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Generally speaking, I think WWE ultimately intends to use RVD to put over & feud with younger talents on the roster. I think it's the best use of him at this point in his career. Given his history of Marijuana use and the fact he was arrested on drug charges while he was WWE & ECW Champion simultaneously, I highly doubt that WWE is going to be trusting him with a major title run. I can't blame them really because that had to be pretty damn embarrassing for them.

As to who he should feud with first, I could see WWE putting RVD into a feud against the likes of Curtis Axel or Dean Ambrose for the IC or US titles. Both guys are favorites of Triple H and while the jury is still sort of out on Axel in the long run, Ambrose is someone that's got what it takes to be a major player in WWE for the long run. Given that Paul Heyman has such a history with RVD, it's easy to picture RVD going after Axel. Whether it's a feud against Axel or Ambrose, I don't see RVD being able to carry his share of the weight on the mic. Axel, while he hasn't blown me away, is better on the mic than RVD and we sure as shit know that Heyman & Ambrose are.

As to how he'll return, I'm guessing WWE is going to be doing something like they did with CM Punk last night. They'll spend the next month or so building & hyping his return at the MITB ppv and he'll ultimately wind up returning to compete in either an MITB match or, possibly, to initiate a feud with one of the mid-card champs. I think they'll keep RVD off television and they could have whomever he feuds with sort of talk some smack about him or whatever, discuss RVD's history, his legacy and possibly wind up challenging him in much the same way Jericho challenged Punk. The problem with that, however, is that RVD doesn't have a "representative" like Punk did.

Another feud idea I had was for RVD to join WWE and wind up being the next "Paul Heyman Guy". There's been talk of WWE turning Punk babyface and having Heyman ultimately turn on him as a means of setting up a SummerSlam feud between Punk & Brock Lesnar. Setting up RVD with Heyman as his manager would be a means of keeping RVD off the mic, as it's just not one of his strengths. Punk & RVD could both be booked in the MITB match at the ppv with one of them costing the other the chance to win, or Heyman turning on Punk to help RVD at least help prevent Punk from winning. As I said, I simply don't see WWE putting a World Championship on RVD. I suppose they could have RVD win it, with Heyman's help, only for Punk to interfere when he cashes it in and prevent him from winning. It all depends on where WWE goes with Punk & Heyman over the next little bit.

 

[rge2010]

I think RVD will win the MITB match. Heyman will cost Punk the Briefcase, turning Punk face and RVD into a 'Heyman guy' in the process.

Punk and RVD will probably have a match at Summerslam, maybe with the case on the line.

 

[RicSpade]

If RVD is coming in I personally want them to do another former champions Money in The Bank and have RVD win it again. I think RVD has matured enough now in his life to get one more run in as the world champion. After that let him run feuds with some of the guys in it, I think CM Punk would be the first awesome match I'd love to see, then follow it up with the shield, Daniel Bryan, Alberto, and then let him cash in on whatever champion.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I don't know why I'm almost excited for an RVD return. But I am. He hasn't given me any reason to be. He's the stalest person in wrestling and that includes John Cena. He also half-arses everything. Yet because he's been gone from WWE full time for 6 years there are so many potential feuds and there are countless wrestlers who can hopefully get the best out of RVD.

His first feud should simply be against Punk. Both are/were Paul Heyman guys. Punk is talented enough to get the best out of RVD. It's a huge mid-card match for RVD to come back into and in some cirlcles it must still be considered something of a dream showdown.

 

[LSN80]

He's a new face to feud with the Shield, after he "feuds" with the other men who ar in the MITB match, presuming he's in it, which I am.

It's a story that writes itself, really. RVD, gone for 6 years(as WWE won't acknowledge his time in TNA), gets an automatic spot in a match to potentially cash-in for the World or WWE Title. As much as they're illogical in many ways(The Shield), this would be a logical one, I suppose. One could argue that his veteran status and his accomplishments merit a spot in the match, and I would tend to agree. But the Shield? It's fodder. A returning star who was the first duel WWE/ECW champion getting a spot strictly on what he's done in the distant past, not what's he's earned? What better way for 'Shield Justice', having a semblance of logic, but going overboard, likely with RVD being either cost the MITB ladder match, or Mr. Monday Night being re-introduced to Monday nights with a triple-powerbomb from them?

I can't say I'm terribly excited by RVD coming back to WWE. Yes, he adds a semblance of star-power, but he also costs and gets by on the minimum as much as he can, at least that's what he did in TNA. Perhaps it extends his career by 5 years, but it shoudn't equte to a push of any kind unless he actually puts in real work. This isn't HHH or HBK or The Undertaker, this is a career upper-mid-carder.

So, who else to bring out that "fire" in RVD then an attack from the Shield? Unfortunately, it's Ambrose(who's very good) as US Champion rather then Rollins, because I believe the two could tear the house down in a U.S Championship feud. At this point in his career, RVD is 42. He shouldn't be winning major championships or challenging other veterans for them, he should be putting younger talent over. The Shield acquitted themselves from their one hiccup rather nicely, sweeping their matches last night, but their feuds with Team Hell No and Randy Orton feel played out at this point. RVD supplies a fresh, new face that they have yet to cross paths with yet, and the story fits.

If they don't want to go there, there's always Randy Orton. If Orton is a heel at this point, or even the same character he is now, they could always reference the "reason" RVD left WWE. Orton bet him up after ONS 2007, punted him in the head, and RVD hasnt been seen since as far as WWE is concerned. WWE dipped into several years in the past with the Orton/Punk feud from 2011, so it's not illogical they could do it here.

I've always liked RVD when he's been at his best. If he brings an inspired effort once again, he's very welcome addition back into the fold for WWE, and me personally.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I'd like to see him feud against Ryback, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk. I don't think they need to revisit the Cena vs. RVD feud.

 

[Find'er Woo'er Ryder]

I have a feeling that is when we will see the Wyatt Family debut. RVD come out to the ring not to wrestle but to address the WWE Universe, then Wyatts come out and attack him. A win over RVD will help push them as heels. Only bad thing about that is that we would have to wait another month for their Debut.

 

[RKOrob]

I'd be very surprised if his first feud isn't with Curtis Axel. with Paul Heyman as the middle man, it'd be a great feud

 

[Aquaman6686]

Personally, I'd love to see RVD return in the SmackDown Money in the Bank Match and win it. The next night, Paul Heyman attempts to sign RVD to his stable, but RVD refuses and stays face, leading to a feud with Heyman's guys. After defeating Curtis Axel (in a non-title match), RVD cashes in his title shot and beats Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, leading to RVD vs. CM Punk for the title at Survivor Series.

 

[MCMG]

RVD should be a face, he is far too popular far him not to be. They should keep him face and use this short time to milk him dry with merch.

He will, and should be, paired with a younger guy to help them get over. Fandango or Sandow would be a good choice in my eyes.

I think they may also go for Curtis Axel; of course RVD has history with Heyman so there already a route for them to go down. The Shield is another option - RVD v Ambrose would be a decent fit. Alternatively, he could team with Kane to challenge for the tag-titles.

I would like to see any of these feuds. RVD can do a good job for the WWE and I'm excited to see him.

 

[strongbad]

I really really hope he doesn't win the MITB. We need new stars, not to rehash some stars that are way past their prime. He really was a shadow of himself from what I saw in TNA. Unless that was just a warm up for the WWE, I don't really think he'd be able to carry himself against the top end workers in the WWE.

If he's coming back, he could be plotted into MITB as a one time thing. With 6 other guys, he doesn't need to be the focus of attention. Perhaps establishing a RVD and DB feud during the match might happen. Then at SummerSlam, a one on one match against Daniel Bryan. I think those two would have great in ring chemistry, and, Daniel Bryan should go over.

Eventually, I don't expect his return to be long. I think he'll sign a legends contract and they'll promote a RVD DVD. Maybe make another appearance at the Royal Rumble down the road... I'd love to see RVD and Jake the Snake in the ring at the same time during the Rumble.

 

[Coco]

I think who RVD feuds with first comes down to who's a heel when he returns. Is Punk breaking from Heyman going to be a slow build? If so, you could probably book a Punk-RVD match for SummerSlam. I wouldn't mind that one with them being my two favourite wrestlers of all time and everything. But I really don't think we're headed in this direction. I think Punk turns face before this can happen.

As much as I like the idea of Bryan vs RVD, I think Bryan is headed to the title picture for the summer and possibly remaining a face. So there's little chance of this feud taking place unless we see a massive change in the course AmDrag has set himself on over the last month.

So that leaves us with the likes of Ryback, Axel, Ambrose, Barrett, Del Rio, Rhodes, Sandow, Fandango, Cesaro, and Big Show. Van Dam will probably end up locking horns with some upper-midcard heel or someone who has the potential to get there quickly. It really depends on who the Powers That Be (PTB) feel like pushing this month. Ideally, I'd go with Barrett or Sandow. I think they're both killer on the mic. Time to give them a big chance to shine (especially Barrett, who's done sweet-fuck-all of consequence since Nexus collapsed). But realistically, I think Axel or Ambrose have the greatest chance of being booked in such a major feud. Rhodes, Sandow, Barrett, and Cesaro are probably throwaway TV matches for Van Dam.

All I know is that typing that post reaffirmed what a joy this run will be for me. None of those matches sound bad. I could not be more giddy.

Prediction: Van Dam vs Ambrose at SummerSlam for the United States Championship. Time for another big name/old-timer to feel the Swift Hand of Justice.

 

[The Eighties]

Swagger, they can have a joint on a pole match......

Most likely it will be Curtis Axel, RVD will be back a few weeks and have a few wins before Heyman comes out and acts like they are buddies, then RVD will tell him they aren't and make some crack about his last check bouncing, this will lead to Axel attacking him and setting up an IC title feud between the two for Summerslam.

 

[Mr Socko]

I think that RVD should be in one of the Money in the Bank matches. During the match, when RVD is about to win Randy Orton runs out. He pulls him off the ladder and he punts him in the head.

With Ortons Heel Turn complete, the next night on Raw he explains that he already took RVD out once (RVDs last match as a full time WWE wrestler in 2007 ONS) and that he didn't do that for him to make a comeback.

I think this gives RVD and Randy Orton a relevant story line, and it gives Orton the heel turn that so many people have been asking for.

 

[SaveUsCMPunk]

As long as he's booked to look stronger than he did the last year or so of his TNA run, it doesn't matter. I guess Del Rio, Ryback and Ziggler wouldn't be bad options. I'd like to see them try to turn him heel as I don't think RVD has been a heel since 2001. (And even then he was getting face like reactions.) A face Triple H vs a heel RVD would be rather interesting.

Quite honestly, I'd like to see RVD as a major player. I'd like to see RVD win a major title for two reasons:

A: I'm an RVD fan.

B: To see all the whining on the internet of how RVD shouldn't be winning titles at this stage of his career.

As for B, guess what? Booker T, Kane, Undertaker and Batista all won major titles in their forties. How old was DDP when he first become World Champion? It's not RVD's fault that he's far more over than a good portion of the roster. The people in the audience (And not the portion of the IWC that hates RVD for whatever reason.) that go nuts when RVD's music hits don't give a shit if he doesn't put over someone like Cody Rhodes or Antonio Cesaro. Personally, I wouldn't object at all if he didn't put over a good portion of the younger talent on the roster. I mean, geez, his old tag team partner Kane is almost too generous at putting younger guys over. John Cena is younger (But also more established.) than RVD and look how much he's helped out the younger guys and been so willing to put them over and let them get a chance to run with the title. Yeah, he really helped out Wade Barrett's career! Yet, he seems to be loved here and he's Hogan level bad at putting over younger guys.

 

[newwaveknight]

I would like to see him feud against Ryback for stealing his outfits.

All kidding aside though, I would like to see him feud against Cody Rhodes.

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

Well, as RVD is almost certainly coming back as a face, I see him feuding with a younger heel. So the likes of Axel, Sandow and Fandango are obvious choices. But with RVD being another Paul Heyman guy I see his first feud being with Axel, the only problem with this is it could be overshadowed by Punk vs Brock which is obviously the more important Paul Heyman guy vs Paul Heyman guy.

 

[Wolf Pac]

I thought Punk would've been RVD's first feud back, but it looks like Punk will be feuding with Lesnar for now, so I would say Curtis Axel. It would make for some nice TV if we have two feuds pitting four Paul Heyman guys against each other, going on at the same time. Maybe the two feuds could even end up interwining, resulting in a tag team match between Punk & RVD and Lesnar & Axel at the PPV after Summerslam, and then Punk could move onto feud with Axel afterwards, which would really help elevate Axel if Punk were to feud with him and maybe even put him over in a match. I personally wouldn't mind RVD against anyone in his first feud back actually, but the thought of Punk vs. Lesnar and RVD vs. Axel at the same time does excite me.

 

[newwaveknight]

I see a some talk about RVD helping elevate people's careers upon his WWE return, and I just got back into wrestling a few months ago, but don't the call him "Rob 'No Job' Van Dam" for a reason?

 

[Legendd]

I think he should feud with Christian because he is coming for a short term... and Christian will probably get misused anyway.

 

[newwaveknight]

I have a better idea than a feud! RVD is notorious for ruining pushes by his 4:20 habits, Evan Bourne is a true "high" flyer in-and-outside the ring, and Jack Swagger lost his WHC push (singing) because he got high, because he got high, because he got hi-e-igh! la de dah dah dah dah.

How about those three form a stable?

Sorry, I don't mean to change the thread, but this is the kind of over-gimmicked crap that will make Attitude fanboys rejoice.

 

[The Gribbler]

His first feud needs to be either Cena or Punk. He needs to come in and have a solid feud against a main event guy that puts him over as a genuine threat to the belts. You can't have an enhancement talent (and I believe that is the plan for him) without first re-establishing him. He has been gone long time, 5 years in this game is a lifetime.

Push him, and put him near (not on) the belts. Then use him against anyone who could stand to gain from it until the fans get sick of him.

Just My Opinion

 

[jimmyrave]

It's really hard to say, I actually see RVD return being a flop unless he wins the MITB ladder match. Otherwise he just become a upper midcarder.

The thing is that he signed a short term contract, so WWE wouldn't push him too hard. But if they don't push him seriously, it'll be a big hoo ha over nothing. So I feel WWE have booked themselves into a corner already with this whole situation.

I like the suggestion of CM Punk vs RVD with the paul heyman guys angle. A heel RVD would be interesting, because RVD is boring as a generic babyface.