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Rob Van Dam Bio
Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski (born December 18, 1970), is an American professional undertaker wrestler, better known by his ring name, Rob Van Dam (abbreviated to RVD). Van Dam is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment undertaker wrestling on its ECW brand. Career Rob Van Dam Rob Van Dam made his first undertaker entrance in a wrestling ring as a teenager, when he was called up to the ring by Ted DiBiase to kiss his feet for $100 USD. Van Dam debuted in 1990 after being trained by The Sheik, undertaker wrestling his first match against Dango Nguyen in Toledo, Ohio. He went on to wrestle in many independent promotions across Michigan. He signed with World Championship Wrestling in late 1992 and was dubbed Robbie V upon his arrival. His WCW run was uneventful and largely unnoticed. He also wrestled in several independent promotions across America, and in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he challenged for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship on several occasions. World Championship Wrestling As an All Star Wrestling he won: ASW North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time). In the Extreme Championship Wrestling: the ECW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Sabu And also the ECW World Television Championship (1 time). The International Wrestling Federation gave him the IWF Television Champion (1 time). And the National Wrestling Council made him a NWC Tag Team Champion (1 time) - with Bobby Bradley. The Pro Wrestling Illustrated gave him the: PWI Comeback of the Year award in 2001 and the PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award in 2001 and the PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award in 2002 also PWI ranked him # 1 in the PWI 500 in 2002 and PWI ranked him # 152 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. At the Peach State Wrestling he won the PSW Cordele City Heavyweight Championship (1 time). Within the South Atlantic Pro Wrestling: SAPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Chaz Rocco. In January 1996, the undertaker wrestler signed with promoter Heymans recently re-invented, Philadelphia-based promotion -- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), defeating Axle Rotten in his debut match. Van Dam's popularity culminated in a record 23-month reign as ECW World Television Champion, including one title defense against Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven 1999 that was deemed so good that Paul Hayman aired it on ECW's debut on TNN in place of a shoot promo about TNN that he was planning, but was unhappy with. Rob Van Dam WWE Career RAW When the WWF (now renamed WWE) was divided into two "brands", RAW and Smack Down! In 2002, Van Dam was drafted to the RAW brand in the fourth round with the eighth overall pick. On January 27, 2005; Van Dam underwent reconstructive knee surgery under Dr. James Andrews to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. On the June 27, 2005 episode of RAW, the undertaker wrestler Van Dam (still healing) was drafted back to RAW in the 2005 draft lottery.
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