RVD admitted that, as someone who appreciates old-school wrestling values, he understands, and even agrees with, those who think wrestling has become less protective of the business, with modern wrestlers instead seeking quick pops from big, unsafe moves. At the same time, the former WWE, ECW, and TNA World Heavyweight Champion acknowledges that wrestling is always changing, that perspectives should change with it, and that is part of what has helped AEW appeal to wrestling fans.

“I think AEW and they’re talent, I think they’re like ‘Hey, you know what? I hear you. I’m not really listening. Eat my dust. We’re doing it. And we’re proving everybody wrong.’ So that’s their perspective. That’s what makes change. Is it good? Is it for the better, overall, in the big picture? It’s not good for the old-school foundation of what wrestling was, but if I’m going to accept that that’s a thing of the past, then what?

“Now I’ve got an open clear mind to look at it from a different perspective, and to judge it for what it is. Is it entertaining? F**k yeah. Are people watching it? Yeah. Is there a lot of talent? Absolutely. So I think we have to change our standards because the same product isn’t going to be offered anymore that used to be.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “1 Of A Kind” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription