WWE Hall of Famer and ECW icon Rob Van Dam has openly voiced his strong disapproval of the growing trend of celebrities participating in professional wrestling matches. Despite the recent surge of notable figures such as Logan Paul, Pat McAfee, and Jelly Roll making waves in WWE, RVD insists that this movement undermines the integrity and credibility of the wrestling business.

In a candid interview on the TMZ Inside The Ring podcast, Van Dam expressed that while he acknowledges the evolution of the industry and admits he has no control over these changes, he remains unhappy about the increasing involvement of celebrities in wrestling. “I know there’s nothing I can do to stop it. So I’m watching it happen. I’m understanding it less and less. Am I enjoying it? No, not really,” he said[1].

RVD explained that the presence of celebrities forces the creative team and full-time wrestlers to “work around them” to make it appear as though the celebrities possess wrestling skills which they often lack. He believes this dynamic “really hurts the credibility” of professional wrestling. Van Dam emphasized his old-school philosophy, “I was taught, protect the business first. That was the number one rule. And this is the opposite of protecting the business.” This candid critique echoes his belief that the practice is detrimental rather than beneficial to wrestling[1].

Echoing these sentiments on his own 1 of a Kind with RVD podcast, the ECW legend elaborated on why he finds celebrity wrestlers offensive and insulting to the sport. He underscored the physicality and endurance required for wrestling, saying, “You have to be an athlete to be able to do it. And so, for me, it’s always offensive because everyone else has to work around the celebrity to make it look like anybody could do it. And I don’t like that because not everybody can do it.” RVD lamented how the sacrifices of full-time performers are undervalued when celebrities are inserted into high-profile matches without genuine wrestling ability[4][5].

Notably, RVD did concede that there are exceptions. He praised Logan Paul as “really good” despite being a relatively new wrestler, highlighting his rare ability to step inside the ring without it feeling like a gimmick. Van Dam even teased the possibility of working with Paul given their shared history of celebrity figures interacting with wrestling, recalling how he and Sabu once faced off against the Insane Clown Posse in the original ECW promotion: “We didn’t take it easy on them at all”[2].

However, the overall stance remains firm: RVD views the trend of celebrities wrestling as fundamentally antithetical to the credibility and protection of the business. He expressed frustration that many of these celebrity matches require the full-time wrestlers to accommodate the stars, rather than the celebrities adapting to wrestling’s grueling demands. “It’s always insulting for me when people think it’s easy, like we’re just playing or anyone can do it,” he said, reflecting the passion and respect he holds for wrestling’s athletic demands[3][4].

This criticism arrives as WWE continues featuring more celebrity involvement, including high-profile matches at marquee events like SummerSlam 2025. For instance, country music star Jelly Roll is scheduled to team with Randy Orton against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre in a highly publicized tag team match. While Jelly Roll has trained with established wrestlers such as Kevin Owens and Jacob Fatu to prepare for this in-ring debut, RVD’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about whether such celebrity pushes align with or harm wrestling’s tradition and craft[3].

Sources close to WWE indicate that the company views celebrity involvement as a strategic business move to attract new viewers, boost ratings, and generate mainstream media attention. However, voices from within the business—like RVD’s—serve as a reminder of the wrestling industry’s roots and the importance of preserving its athletic and narrative authenticity.

As one WWE insider told WrestlingNews.co, “WWE has always balanced business needs with the fanbase’s respect for the art. But there’s clearly tension now. Legends like RVD remind us that wrestling isn’t just entertainment; it’s a hard-earned athletic discipline that deserves protection”[1].

While RVD’s perspective might not align with WWE’s current direction, his candid remarks provide a vital counterpoint and highlight the ongoing conversation around the role of celebrities in wrestling. Whether this trend will eventually evolve into more integrated, credible participation or continue to draw criticism as damaging remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Rob Van Dam’s voice stands as a tough-love call to safeguard wrestling’s integrity in an era where celebrity involvement is becoming a regular fixture on WWE programming.

Key Takeaways:

• Rob Van Dam considers celebrity wrestling “bad for the business,” arguing it harms credibility and disrespects full-time wrestlers[1][4].

• He acknowledges Logan Paul as an exception due to his surprising wrestling ability but remains critical of the overall practice[2].

• RVD’s viewpoint emphasizes the necessity to “protect the business first,” highlighting the physical and athletic demands that celebrities often overlook[1][4].

• WWE continues to feature celebrities like Jelly Roll and Logan Paul in major matches, fueling debate about the balance between entertainment and wrestling authenticity[3].

• Industry insiders describe RVD’s comments as a reminder that wrestling’s roots and integrity must be preserved amid shifting business strategies[1].

Rob Van Dam’s candid commentary opens an important dialogue about how professional wrestling should navigate celebrity involvement without compromising its core values and athletic credibility.