Randy Orton, Logan Paul & 3 other WWE stars who would be ideal opponents for legendary 16-time champion if he returns to SmackDown
Rob Van Dam was among the esteemed guests at the season premiere of WWE SmackDown. If fans are lucky, the 53-year-old veteran's guest appearance might be the start of a new stint on the blue brand.
After being a trailblazing phenomenon in the Paul Heyman-led ECW, Rob Van Dam joined WWE and put on instant classic bouts against names such as Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, and several others.
While his full-time wrestling days are behind him, a part-time stint should not be ruled out, especially considering how smooth he looked in his recent AEW outings. Couple that with the fact that one of the upcoming WWE PLEs is Crown Jewel, an event that has featured celebrated Hall of Famers over the years. RVD might end up gracing the WWE ring pretty soon.
However, if he does join the current SmackDown roster, who could be an ideal opponent for the 16-time champion? Below are five solid options.
#5. Carmelo Hayes
While WWE has drawn criticism for not having many credible heels in the main-event scene, the mid-card picture does not have this problem. Carmelo Hayes deserves massive credit for that.
From his solid showing against Cody Rhodes earlier this year to his stellar five-match series with Andrade, Hayes has consistently been the highlight of Friday Night SmackDown. At this point, it is almost a guarantee that he is destined for incredible things.
With the sky being the limit for the 30-year-old star, it only makes sense for him to be among the frontrunners to face Rob Van Dam if the latter sticks around on SmackDown. What is even more fascinating is the fact that Melo himself is a fan of this iconic match-up.
There is absolutely no doubt that the two would complement each other's style pretty well. Moreover, a win against one of the most influential wrestling talents would be a remarkable feather in Hayes' cap.
#4. Logan Paul
If there is one thing that is for sure, it is that Logan Paul will never disappoint in the ring. Despite being signed to WWE for only two years, the Maverick has put on unforgettable matches against the best of the best.
With that being said, it is time he adds yet another one-of-a-kind performer to his rogues' gallery. It goes without saying how much fun a Logan Paul and Rob Van Dam encounter will be.
The potential contest would have the opportunity to be a bout packed with the most highlight-worthy moments in WWE history. The two athletic wizards stopping at nothing to one-up each other's aerial offense would be nothing short of a visual treat for the passionate fans.
What helps is that the social media megastar is part of the SmackDown brand. So, if WWE can land the 53-year-old legend, they could easily advertise this attraction bout for Crown Jewel 2024. After all, Logan Paul has developed a habit of creating jaw-dropping spectacles every time he competes at a premium live event in Saudi Arabia.
#3. Montez Ford
A plethora of legendary singles wrestlers first gained recognition as tag team stars. Shawn Michaels, Scott Steiner, and Booker T are some of the prime examples. The WWE Universe is convinced that Montez Ford's name will be a part of said list eventually.
Ever since his main-roster callup in 2019, the Street Profits member has been a can't-miss sensation. Even when he is involved in a cold program, he makes sure to give fans a reason to remember why they decided to believe in him as one of the future cornerstones of the Stamford-based promotion. He has also been hailed as the wrestler with the best 'Frog Splash' in the business.
Speaking of Frog Splashes, a particular WWE Hall of Famer might take offense to fans hyping up Ford's splash as the best of its kind. After all, the legend in question spent years turning his version of the Frog Splash into a five-star extravaganza. Of course, the star being referred to here is Rob Van Dam.
If Mr. Friday Night ends up wrestling for WWE again, a match against Montez Ford must happen. An exciting match followed by RVD officially endorsing the 34-year-old star's Frog Splash as the best in the business today would be a career-defining moment for the latter.
#2. 14-time World Champion Randy Orton
Even though it is true that fans would prefer watching Rob Van Dam face stars he has not wrestled before, a clash against Randy Orton could never go wrong.
Over the last 21 years, The Legend Killer and the WWE Hall of Famer have fought each other numerous times. In fact, Orton won his first-ever singles title on the main roster by defeating RVD. Their matches in 2013 were incredibly entertaining as well.
So, if the 16-time champion agrees to return for more than just one match, a singles showing against The Viper is a no-brainer. As it turns out, the 2024 version of Randy Orton is severely more motivated as an in-ring competitor than he has been in the past decade.
As a result, The Apex Predator is very well capable of delivering a gripping performance against the uber-dynamic veteran. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to predict that the present-day Randy Orton could give RVD the best match of their entire careers.
#1. Kevin Owens
Anyone who has followed Kevin Owens' pro-wrestling journey, especially his independent circuit and early NXT days, would agree that his style would have fit the now-defunct ECW like a glove.
His rough yet durable brawling technique and knack for whipping out moves that send chills down viewers' spines are a guarantee that he could have put on violent masterclasses against numerous ECW greats whom he never got to compete against, especially Rob Van Dam.
However, The Prizefighter has not abandoned all hope of ever stepping into the ring with Mr. Friday Night. The WWE Hall of Famer's recent appearance on SmackDown could pave the way for this dream clash to finally see the light of the day.
An 'Anything Goes' fight in which both stars are allowed to unleash endless carnage and use the entire arena to their advantage is a surefire "banger." Therefore, booking a KO-RVD battle should be among WWE's topmost priorities if the 53-year-old legend returns to the blue brand.