On his podcast “1 of A Kind,” former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam shared his perspective on AEW’s decision to air footage of the CM Punk-Jack Perry altercation on “AEW Dynamite,” acknowledging the criticism but likening the approach to storytelling in his former stomping ground of ECW.
“That’s how people are taking this whole AEW thing, saying by AEW filming it that they’re localizing their growth potential to a point to where they’re coming across small,
Some people think they’re gonna implode they’re so small, and I look at it like it’s more like ECW-style,” RVD commented.
The ECW legend explained this analogy by highlighting how ECW thrived as a smaller, unique promotion. He cited instances where ECW incorporated real legal issues into their television storylines.
RVD noted that the backstage drama leading to Punk’s departure from AEW provided compelling material for The Young Bucks’ ongoing storyline, as they had been subtly referencing the “Second City Saint” on AEW television without using his name.
RVD cautioned against AEW trying to emulate WWE, suggesting instead that they embrace their distinct identity and recognize the diverse world of professional wrestling.
