RVD makes AEW debut, will face Jack Perry on next Dynamite

Rob Van Dam has made his AEW debut and already has his first match booked.

On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Jack Perry came out and demanded Jerry Lynn confront him. Lynn came out, but said he wouldn’t fight Perry because no doctor would clear him. He did say, however, that he had a friend who was in ECW that still wrestles. 

Van Dam then came out to his old ECW music (‘Walk’ by Pantera). Perry first retreated to the back, but as RVD was in the ring with Lynn, Perry snuck back in and attempted a sneak attack with a steel chair. RVD went for the Van Daminator, but Perry fled before it could happen.

Later in an interview, RVD challenged Perry to a match for the FTW title on next week’s Dynamite that was later confirmed.

Since defeating Hook for the FTW title several weeks ago on Dynamite, Perry has been running down the title and the company it originated from (ECW). On last week’s Dynamite, Lynn came out and defended ECW. Just as it seemed they were ready to fight, Perry backed down, telling Lynn to show up next week.

Van Dam has continued to wrestle across the independent scene in recent years. His most recent high-profile match took place at NOAH’s Destination 2022 event at Budokan Hall last year, where he teamed with Masato Tanaka to defeat NOSAWA and Super Crazy.