Robert Alexander Szatkowski is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam. He is currently making appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is known for his tenures in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
Van Dam in 2021
Van Dam as both ECW World Tag Team Champion with Sabu behind him, and ECW World Television Champion, 1998
Van Dam after winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania X8
Van Dam as Intercontinental Champion
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was an American professional wrestling promotion that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and operated by its parent company HHG Corporation. The promotion was founded in 1992 by Tod Gordon as National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliate Eastern Championship Wrestling. The following year, businessman and wrestling manager Paul Heyman took over the creative end of the promotion from Eddie Gilbert. Under Heyman, the promotion was rechristened as Extreme Championship Wrestling.
ECW became known for its hardcore style, frequently incorporating weapons into matches. Sabu (putting Rhino through a table in this picture) especially was connected with this practice.
The former ECW Arena as it appeared in 2010. The former "Bingo Hall" was ECW's primary venue for the majority of its existence.
The Sandman held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship a record five times
Paul Heyman appears with ECW security guard Ronnie Lang in 1998