Concussion knocks Van Dam’s WWE Career on the head
Veteran ECW and WWE fighter Rob Van Dam’s professional career could be behind
him due to a concussion sustained last year – at least, that is the explanation
he has provided to estranged wife Sonya for his inability to meet her financial
expectations in the latest round of divorce proceedings.
Van Dam has filed papers in the divorce court that paint a picture of a man
whose life is a far cry from that of the glamorous wrestling superstar who has
been gracing our screens and entertaining crowds since his debut in 1990. He
claims that an injury sustained in his PCW Heavyweight Championship bout against
Pentagón Jr at the Pacific Coast Wrestling event in Torrance, California, last
November left him with a concussion that resulted in visual impairment and
precluded him from further participation in the WWE.
Gambling on an uncertain future
Cynics might argue that Van Dam’s financial difficulties have come at a
convenient moment as he attempts to negotiate financial settlement and
maintenance terms with his soon to be ex wife. However, it casts genuine doubt
on whether the crowd favourite will be seen in the ring again. The online
bookmakers and casino sites at
uk-casinos.uk have certainly not ruled out
the possibility after he put in a
surprise
appearance at Fear and Loathing X in Glasgow on 19 November, where he was
defeated in a three-way elimination by Coventry-based wrestler Lionheart.
The mercy of the court
Van Dam backed up his claims with medical evidence, and the fact that he is
now 46 and appears to be firmly restricted to the independent circuit certainly
substantiates the contention that his best days are behind him.
He told the court that his income is “substantially reduced” due to both his
medical condition and the fact that his WWE merchandising contract expired
earlier this year and will not be renewed. He asked the judge to consider his
precarious financial position and the fact that his estranged wife is capable of
earning her own living before making a decision on his financial support
obligations.
Away from the ring
Most pro sports stars spend longer in retirement than they do in the public
eye, and the challenge for Van Dam now is to decide what to do with the rest of
his life. The appearance at Fear and Loathing X showed a man who was wrestling
as much against the sands of time as his opponent, and it was not an altogether
comfortable sight for anyone.
He has made numerous television and film appearances over the years,
including a memorable cameo in
an
episode of The X-Files, and has also performed voicework on several video
games. However, when a sports star retires from the public eye, the phone soon
stops ringing and the opportunities begin to dry up.
When all else fails, however, there is always reality TV, and
according to his website, Van Dam’s
latest project is to develop his own online show entitled RVD-TV. This is aimed
at sharing his life outside wrestling with his fans and followers, and will be
filmed at his California home.