RVD Article

[stagesofdecay]

Article/Interview with Rob Van Dam from the October Skywatch.
RVD and Christy Hemme are among a few celebrity guests appearing at the Armageddon Pulp Expo.

[[okay, i think i will go this year xD]]

ROB VAN DAM COMES TO NZ
By Andy Burt

He's held numerous titles in the WWE and ECW, stunned frenzied arenas into silence with his acrobatic feats, made commentators gasp for superlatives - and now one of the most gidted, extreme and exciting professional wrestlers of all time is coming to New Zealand.

Former WWE superstar Rob Van Dam spoke exclusively to SKYWATCH ahead of his trip here for this month's Armageddon Pulp Expo - a three day extravaganza of all things pop-culture including comic books, celebrity appearances and live wrestling.

Since making his debut as a teenager, audiences the world over have been captured by Van Dam's high-flying wrestling style  and eye-catching signature move the 'Van Daminator' - where he spins in mid-air and heel-kicks a chair into his opponent.

"A match is an exhibition of fighting skills and moves. I prefer matches that allow me to showcase my talents, which include hardcore elements," Van Dam says. "If it's a ladder match or a hardcore match that's where I feel like I shine - that's where I'm happiest."

As an aspiring wrestler, Van Dam says he was influenced by wrestlers who would put their body on the line to entertain the crowd.

"I noticed the guys that were different. The big, heavy, slow guys that were barely picking their feet up didn't impress me," he says. "But guys like leaping Lanny Poffo and the Blue Blazer impressed me - I thought they were working harder to entertain the crowd. Although I never tried to be like anybody, I was definitely inspired by those entertainers.

One of Van Dam's most memorable and satisfying achievements during his time in the WWE was the way he changed fans' perception of the 'hardcore title'.

"When I came along the hardcore title was a joke. They were having fights in the taco stand on in the bathroom doing something stupid," Van Dam says. "But I added prestige and credibility to the title by putting on outstanding matches and main-eventing live events."

This month's trip Down Under will be Van Dam's second visit to New Zealand after appearing in WWE's Road to Wrestlemania tour in Auckland and Christchurch earlier this year.

"I'm looking forward to coming back - it's a beautiful country, the people are all so nice and it's great to get off a 12-hour flight and still have the people speak the same language as you!"

And as for a return to the squared circle, Van Dam is tight-lipped.

"I won't be lacing up the wrestling boots for at least the next few months, but fans watch this space - RVD will be out with an announcement soon.