Is There Still Room for Him Among the Invaders
Under the hot arena lights, Rob Van Dam locks up with his opponent for the night. He whips him into the ropes and catches him with a picture-perfect crescent kick to the side of the head As the man falls to the mat, Van Dam effortlessly ascends the turn-buckles and swiftly executes a split-legged moonsault. The crowd roars in
approval, then begins to chant his initials: “RVD! RVD! RVD!”
In the backstage area, various members of the Alliance are gathered in their assigned locker room, viewing the proceedings on a TV monitor. As the onscreen match progresses, a distinct and unmistakable emotion comes over many of their faces. It isn't pride, satisfaction, excitement, or even simple joy that shapes their expressions. It is envy.
As the weeks go by, it becomes clearer that RVD is in a dangerous and precarious position. The Alliance, which once presented a united front in its assault upon the World Wrestling Federation, has begun to show some cracks. Whether he likes it or not, Van Dam is the cause of those cracks. Not because of any plot on his part to destroy the faction from within, but because of something beyond his control—RVD is too good for his own good.
Something magical happened the night of July 22 at the Invasion payper-view. In one of his earliest matches on WWF television, Van Dam challenged Hardcore Champion Jeff Hardy to a contest that is regarded as a modern classic.
Everything changed for him that night. No longer sports-entertainment's best-kept secret, the incredible talent of Van Dam was unveiled to the world, and the world responded. Like Mick
Foley after his 1998 Hell in the Cell match with Undertaker, the Hardy Boyz after their 1999 Ladder Match with Edge & Christian, or even Sting after challenging Ric Flair at the first Clash of the Champions in 1988, Van Dam entered the next level that night.
And don't think that went unnoticed. RVD very quickly gained a reputation for being the most popular member of the Alliance. One could even go further than that, and say that he is the only Alliance member to be embraced by Federation fans. His following continues to grow dramatically, as viewers everywhere show their enthusiasm for his unique wrestling style and remarkable charisma.
Even though lie is in the Alliance, it would be naive to think his comrades are happy about his sudden fortune. Rather, all lie has done is paint a big target on his chest
The man's ego hasn't helped matters. He regularly refers to himself as “The Whole Dam Show,” and has a habit of pointing to himself while reciting his own name or initials. Not exactly the practices of a modest man However, many feel that Van Dam is precisely as good as he says he is, A combination of boastfulness and an ability to back up those boasts doesn't usually attract friends, and rt looks like this attitude has served to alienate Van Dam from the rest of the Alliance.
It goes without saying that the growing popularity of the man known as “Mr. Monday Night” would be perceived as a threat by those around hrm. After all, what might happen if RVD chose to use his momentum to take over the faction, or worse yet, jump ship to the World Wrestling Federation?
Not to mention that several key Alliance members have every reason to feel that he is stealing their thunder. Van Dam was supposed to be a cog in the machine, a crucial part of the Alliance's ECW contingent, but no more. He has clearly transcended those imitations
The Alliance fears losing someone of Van Dam's talent to the WWF but he is also inadvertently causing many problems from within. And therein lies the Catch-22: Is the Alliance better off with or without him?
The earliest tangible problems for Van Dam can be traced back to the September 3 Raw, when he started to clash with the Alliance's in-ring leader Stone Cold Steve Austin.
RVD became a hapless target of Austin's misdirected hostilities and even found himself on the other side of the ring from his supposed superior.
Van Dam shocked the wrestling world that night by pinning the then-WWF Champ, casting aside all doubt that he could he a major player. The loss obviously ate away at the already-crazed and paranoid Rattlesnake. The week after his defeat, Austin confronted RVD backstage at Raw. Seeming to praise Van Dam but really trying to keep him in his place. Austin asserted that RVD could he another Stone Cold in another five to ten years.
True to form, Van Dam responded by saying that he̓s “happy being RVD." It may be brave, but such behavior also constitutes political suicide for anyone wishing to remain in good standing within the Alliance.
Austin may also have contributed to's apparent decision to distance himself to a certain degree from the rest of the Alliance. Attentive fans have noticed that as Stone Cold's actions grew more and more psychotic. Van Dam seemed more and more disillusioned with the whole Alliance cause.
In certain instances—such as when Austin piledrove Kurt Angle on concrete during the September 20 SmackDown!, nearly crippling him— much of the Alliance seemed to turn on Austin. but only temporarily. RVD appears to he the only one willing to hold on to his convictions and not cave in to peer pressure.
Nevertheless, RVD remains an Alliance member at the time of this writing. Which begs the question:
Why? Furthermore, what can he possibly accomplish as on Alliance member if he is on the outside looking in? One wonders if he still holds to the Alliance principle that the World
Wrestling Federation is the enemy and must he eliminated.
Perhaps even now he is contemplating a defection that would change the balance of power in sports-entertainment.
There are many fans who would love to see Rob Van Dam become a proud member of the World Wrestling Federation. Then they d be able to cheer for him guilt-free. and hed be in a far mare favorable position politically to challenge for the Federations top championships.
World Wrestling Federation Magazine made every effort to determine if Van Dam is considering such a jump. or if he is being courted by Federation loyalists.
Although we were assured by some parties involved that this is not the case, we have reason to suspect otherwise.
Van Dam is literally surrounded by potential enemies. No matter how high he climbs the ladder within the Alliance, he is not safe. He has committed the worst crime any Alliance member could—he has gained the fans affections,
In an organization
composed of WCW and ECW competitors looking to strike fear in the hearts of the Federation s fans as well as its athletes and officials, such a development will not be tolerated In some form or another, the structure of the Alliance itself will be permanently altered.
As for RVD himself he had better he careful. The next time he returns to the Alliance locker room after a hard-fought match, and his comrades rush to congratulate him, he better be alert. Because if he Isn't, the next time he reaches to pat himself on the back, he may find something sticking out.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
one is a no-brainer. RVD is a direct threat to Austin's position as in-ring leader of the Alliance. That isn't something the Texas Rattlesnake is taking lightly, especially in his deranged state of mind. Austin has bumped heads with Van Dam in and out of the ring, and each time it seems he takes Van Dam a little more seriously. He's already lost to the man, taking a blow to his reputation from which he may never be able to recover. Look for Austin to try something pretty extreme to neutralize his perceived usurper..
Paul Heyman
Many insiders believe that Paul Heyman made Rob
Van Dam—and could just as easily break him. It was in Heyman̓s ECW that Van Dam first made a name for himself in the late ‘90s, captivating a cult audience and quickly becoming the most popular man in that promotion. Don't think for a second that Heyman didn't hove something to do with getting Van Dam into that position. The former ECW owner is a master manipulator, and if he feels RVD's ascension is too much of a threat to his precious Alliance, it could be curtains for “Mr. Monday Night.”
Booker T
Never underestimate the vengeance of a man slighted. Booker T was the headliner of WCW during that company's original invasion of the Federation half a year ago. Once the Alliance with ECW was formed, followed shortly thereafter by the defection of Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Booker Man was unceremoniously knocked down the ladder. Austin became the man in control. With RVD on the verge of becoming yet another main-event power within the faction, Booker T has got to be fuming. He just may be the one to put Van Dam in his place—after all, he didn't become the most decorated star in WCW history by resting on his laurels.
Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
The only way Van Dam can avoid becoming the enemy of ECW's current owner is if he convinces her that his interests don't outweigh those of the Alliance. It sounds like a tall order but don't be too surprised if he pulls it off. As it is, Mrs. McMahon-Helmsley seems more than a little taken with the talented high-flyer. Should he find himself on her bad side, however, he just might want to find a new line of work. Every fan knows how Stephanie is capable of making life a living h@ll far anyone she sets her sights on. If he doesn't abandon the sport on his own, Steph may make the decision for him.
Shane McMahon
He's the owner of WCW, but Shane-O-Mac is still one of the most powerful decision-makers within the Alliance, and as such should be someone Van Dam is keeping his eye on. Don't let all this “Alliance” business blur the central issue: Shane represents WCW, while Stephanie represents ECW. Clearly, Shone wants to see his part of the Alliance flourish more than anything else. As an ECW grappler, Van Dam is a major fly in Shane's ointment. Look for Vince's baby boy to put out some flypaper in the near future.