WWE’s back-and-forth approach to how seriously it took ECW, its lineage, and its former roster members now working for the Vince McMahon-led company was something that weighed on Rob Van Dam.

“It did drive me nuts,” RVD told Konan. “I went through cycles of frustration when I thought I was gonna leave and take the next flight home, and then, you know, a couple of days later, I’d be like, ‘Wow!’ because cool things would happen and I loved it.”

Van Dam said he loved it when WWE brought ECW back, which led to him being extra motivated. But then the attention paid to the ECW brand waned. “And there’s other times where the monotony just feeling like I can’t do anything,” he said. 

So Van Dam decided he needed a clean break from WWE, despite the company offering him to re-sign and take several months off to rediscover his motivation. Van Dam did, but elsewhere. Since leaving WWE, the veteran has occasionally worked matches on the independent circuit, at times competing for IMPACT Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.