Money in the Bank Memories: Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam’s Money in the Bank victory was amazing itself, let alone the outstanding chain of events that took place in the next months.

This MITB journey took Van Dam to great heights, which is why he goes down as one of the top stars to hold the briefcase.

WrestleMania 22 was home to the second Money in the Bank ladder match in WWE. One reason for the match up’s one-of-a-kind reception was that it had great variety in Superstars, regarding size and experience. For example, young powerhouse Bobby Lashley competed against veteran Ric Flair.

Intensity was shown throughout the match, especially through the athleticism displayed by Shelton Benjamin and Rob Van Dam. There were many times when fans thought there’d be a winner, only to fooled by another opponent climbing the ladder. All this excitement came to an end when RVD stole the show and held the briefcase high over his head. Since ladder matches had always been his speciality, it was very fitting for RVD to win Money in the Bank.

While he overlooked the whole arena with the briefcase in his hand, Rob Van Dam pointed toward his head three times, as the fans chanted his name in unison.

Following this remarkable win, Shelton Benjamin challenged RVD for the Money in the Bank Contract. Van Dam kept the briefcase, after beating Benjamin at Backlash 2006. This was a great match because it featured two stars from the MITB match, both demonstrating their exceptional agility.

ECW One Night Stand (2006) proved to be one of the most historic nights in Van Dam’s career. He cashed in his Money in the Bank Contract and went on to defeat John Cena for the WWE Championship. This classic bout was special because it featured one of ECW’s top stars fighting the face of WWE. Fans went nuts because:

1. It was an Extreme Championship Wrestling event, of course.
2. This was only the second MITB cash-in in wrestling history, and it proved Money in the Bank to be worth all the hype.
3. Both of these charismatic Superstars tore each other apart in a renowned Extreme Rules match.

Months later, the newly formed ECW Brand got off to a momentous start when Paul Heyman presented RVD the reinstated ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Because he was still the WWE Champion, Van Dam became the first wrestler to hold these two world titles at the same time, showing that he was truly “one-of-a-kind”.

Van Dam’s illustrious title reigns eventually came to a close when he lost the WWE Championship to Edge, and then RVD lost the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to Big Show.

Some fans used the term “fun while it lasted”, but Van Dam’s MITB expedition was more than that, as it is now one of the most historical and unique series of events to take place throughout the 2000’s. Among all the highlights of his legendary career, Rob Van Dam’s path from being Mr. Money in the Bank to a Double World Champion serves as his most impressive accomplishment.