Rob Van Dam Reflects on the Emotions of Winning the WWE Championship

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Renowned professional wrestler Rob Van Dam has left an indelible mark on the industry throughout his illustrious career, with numerous unforgettable moments in the annals of wrestling history. However, one pinnacle stands out: the moment he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and dethroned John Cena to become the WWE Champion at the iconic ECW's One Night Stand event in 2006.

During an episode of his podcast "1 Of A Kind," Van Dam took a nostalgic journey back to that memorable night and reflected on the emotions that swept over him in the aftermath of the momentous match. He vividly described his immediate reaction to the referee's count of "1, 2, 3," realizing the gravity of his accomplishment.

"Oh my God, that just happened," Van Dam reminisced. "That's how I felt. I'm on top of the world right now. The coveted top seat in the industry. 'Woah,' and I did it my way, which meant so much more to me than winning it twenty times doing it their way."

Emotional Championship Moment Shared with Paul Heyman

Van Dam painted a poignant picture of dropping to his knees, savoring the significance of the moment when Paul Heyman, a key figure in ECW, handed him the prestigious WWE Championship after the final fall of the match.

After recalling the scene, Van Dam shared, "This is how I remember it. He was like, 'If you're going to cry, then we'll cry together. We'll play it that way.' Instead, I think I grabbed the belt, and he went from almost crying to not crying just by playing it off of me." As Van Dam delved into his memories, he admitted not recollecting the reaction of WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon and revealed that he didn't recall encountering him backstage.

The seasoned wrestler attributed his remarkable ascent to the pinnacle of the WWE mountain to the arduous journey and accomplishments he had amassed throughout his career leading up to that monumental match. He pondered whether he would have achieved the same feat had he followed a different path.

In hindsight, Rob Van Dam's recollection of his WWE Championship triumph is a testament to his unparalleled passion, individuality, and determination. It encapsulates the sheer joy and fulfillment accompanying the realization of a lifelong dream, forever etching his name among the elite in professional wrestling.