Jim Ross Recalls Rob Van Dam Refusing To Put Over Road Dogg

Jim Ross recently discussed the career of his fellow WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam on an episode of his Grilling JR podcast.

Among the many topics covered included the time Rob Van Dam refused to lose to 'Road Dogg' Jesse James during a 1997 Shotgun Saturday Night taping.

Mr. Monday Night was in the midst of a big push in ECW at the time and didn't feel it was beneficial for him to do the job.

Giving his two cents on the situation, Ross said:

"Awkward. Unfortunate. I thought he got bad advice. Here's the deal. Should he have put Road Dogg over? If that’s what the booker wanted, yeah. It's the right thing to do. I know I could argue that point. I sure as hell would have stayed on my post and done my work and that's just how Rob was raised. I'm sure that Eddie Farhat's [Van Dam's trainer AKA The Original Sheik] influences had a bearing on the decision that Rob was making. I just don't believe in the worst excuse or reason better said I don't think it's cool when you don't want to finish the project even though it may not be what you want to do you're still getting paid and go out there and steal the show and turn heads again and move up the card. But, you can't do it if you're not there. You got to have a jersey to play. Don't turn your jersey in".

RVD's refusal would lead to the end of his brief association with WWE, though he would sign with the company full-time in 2001.

H/T 411mania.com