Rob Van Dam (RVD) recently voiced his support for Jeff Jarrett as he pursues the AEW World Championship in 2025. During an episode of his 1 of a Kind podcast, RVD expressed admiration for Jarrett’s ambition despite his years in the business. Jarrett, now 58, signed a new deal with AEW and set his sights on the company’s top title, a goal that has drawn competition from the likes of MJF.
RVD reflected on the first time he met Jarrett back in 1990 when he was 19 and working in USWA (United States Wrestling Association). At the time, RVD thought of Jarrett as a seasoned veteran, despite him not being one in the traditional sense. “I met him in ’90 when I was 19, when I was in USWA, and I just thought of him as already being older, established,” RVD said. “He had that — him and Robert Fuller had the Tag Team Championships. They were the big babyfaces every night, his daddy was the promoter, and so he had that number one babyface push kind of position, and because of that, I just thought of him as like already being a veteran.”
Though Jarrett wasn’t technically a veteran back then, his prominent position as a top babyface in USWA gave him an aura of experience in the eyes of the young RVD. After their initial meeting, the two wouldn’t cross paths again until 2010 when they were both part of the Lethal Lockdown match during TNA’s Lockdown pay-per-view. Later that year, they faced off in a singles match, with Jarrett emerging victorious.
RVD’s reflections show deep respect for Jarrett’s legacy and his continued drive in the ring, even as he looks to claim AEW’s richest prize in 2025.