United We Stand represents a new start for Rob Van Dam. With the ink still wet on an Impact Wrestling contract, some six years after RVD’s last appearance in what was then TNA, it’s time to do business again.
“I’m still – just like always – interested in good business, interested in opportunities, and I follow my spirit,” Van Dam said. “Right now everything has lined up in this fashion, so it’s a good deal.”
Van Dam, 48, couldn’t have a better scenario for his return. The former world champion comes back to Impact Wrestling alongside close friend Sabu.
“It means a lot,” Van Dam told NZPWI. “There’s nobody else in the business that is a brother like Sabu. When I say that, I think of all the years that we’ve had each others’ backs inside the ring, outside the ring, all over the world in Europe and Mexico and all the adventures that we’ve been through. That’s hard to replace that experience with just chemistry.
“Sabu helped train me with his uncle, the original Sheik, so he will always be the guy that I’ve known the longest in the business and he is also the person I’m closest with. There’s nobody I’d rather have as my partner so I’m very excited about that, it’s been a long time since we tagged, and just like the fans I’m excited for this tag match.”
RVD and Sabu face The Lucha Brothers, Fenix and Pentagon Jr, in an “Extreme Dream Match” on a card full of potential main events.
United We Stand features wrestlers representing Impact Wrestling, Mexico’s AAA, Lucha Underground, Major League Wrestling (MLW), and WrestlePro in an eight-match line-up:
- Fenix & Pentagon Jr vs. Rob Van Dam & Sabu
- X-Division Championship:
Rich Swann (c) vs. Flamita - Knockouts Championship:
Taya Valkyrie (c) vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Katie Forbes vs. Rosemary - Monster’s Ball Match:
Jimmy Havoc vs. Sami Callihan - Ultimate X Match:
Dante Fox vs. Jack Evans vs. Jake Crist vs. Johnny Impact vs. Kotto Brazil vs. Pat Buck - Team Impact (Brian Cage, Eddie Edwards & Moose) vs. Team Lucha Underground (Aerostar, Daga, Drago & Marty The Moth)
- LAX (Ortiz & Santana) vs. Low Ki & Ricky Martinez
- Joey Ryan vs. Tessa Blanchard
While RVD, an innovator, is excited to see equally creative wrestlers like Johnny Impact, The Lucha Brothers, and Wille Mack, on the Impact Wrestling roster, one match at United We Stand has him more excited than the rest.
Taya Valkyrie defends the Knockouts Championship against Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, and an Impact Wrestling newcomer, Van Dam’s girlfriend, Katie Forbes.
“It’s a big opportunity for her,” Van Dam said. “She’s on her way up to places that I’ve already been. She’s got a lot riding on this match and she’s hopefully gonna stand out and hopefully we’ll be able to see Katie around more than just tonight too.”
With both girlfriend Forbes and best friend Sabu on the card, Van Dam is ready to turn back time and remind Impact Wrestling fans exactly who he is.
“This is going to be different than just RVD on his own in Scotland taking a booking, y’know what I mean? We got family there, we got things to fight for. I’ve gotta make my presence known, and there’s only one way to do that when you’re The Whole F’n Show.”
