Rob Van Dam continued to explain how things were for him at that time of his career, expressing that he was far more competitive than he’s ever been and as a result, was always looking over his shoulder at everyone else, so he wasn’t particularly looking out for John Cena either. 

“Now that I’m not living in the dressing room, I look at it so much different,” he admitted. “The longer you’re alive, the bigger picture you can see, and you can never get to understand that because you never can see the picture until you’re actually older!”

Van Dam continued his philosophical outlook, explaining that even though he’s grown to see the bigger picture of his career, one can never see past where they currently are in life. “So now? I have a lot more love for everybody, especially the wrestlers, you know, that I used to maybe want to punch in the face, and now I’m more – you know – like happy to see them! And ‘Hey, I’m glad you’re still alive and healthy!'” he admitted.

“I knew Cena was really good the first time I saw him. I saw him years ago, when he was working at the Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach,” the veteran recalled. “I didn’t know him yet. I went in to pay, and he let me in, you know. (…) And I saw him around that time in an indie sho,w and he was a standout to me.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “The Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred,” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.