Rob Van Dam and Jean-Claude Van Damme are two famous names in the world of entertainment. Rob Van Dam, or RVD, is a professional wrestler who has won multiple championships in WWE, ECW, and Impact Wrestling. Jean-Claude Van Damme, or JCVD, is a martial artist and actor who has starred in many action movies such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Universal Soldier. Both of them are known for their athletic abilities, charisma, and signature moves. But are they related by blood or by name?
The Origin of the Name Rob Van Dam
The name “Rob Van Dam” was given to him in 1992 by Ron Slinker, a promoter in Florida, who thought that he resembled Jean-Claude Van Damme and wanted to capitalize on his popularity. According to Wikipedia, Rob Van Dam’s real name is Robert Alexander Szatkowski and he was born in Battle Creek, Michigan. He became a fan of professional wrestling in the 1980s and decided to pursue it as a career. He trained under The Sheik, a legendary wrestler and promoter, and debuted in 1990 under the name Rob Szatkowski. He later used the ring names Robbie V and Matt Burn before adopting Rob Van Dam as his permanent name.
The Reality of the Situation
However, the truth is that Rob Van Dam and Jean-Claude Van Damme are not related at all. They are not brothers, cousins, or even from the same country. Jean-Claude Van Damme’s real name is Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg and he was born in Brussels, Belgium. He started practicing martial arts at the age of 10 and competed in several tournaments. He moved to the United States in the 1980s to pursue an acting career and became a star after his breakthrough role in Bloodsport. He has since appeared in over 50 films and has a loyal fan base.
The Confusion and the Connection
The confusion between Rob Van Dam and Jean-Claude Van Damme may stem from their similar last names, which are both of Dutch origin and mean “from the dam”. They may also share some ancestry, as both of them have German, French, and Dutch roots. However, they have never met or worked together, and they have different lifestyles and personalities. Rob Van Dam is a vegetarian, a cannabis advocate, and a comic book collector. Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Buddhist, a fitness enthusiast, and a dog lover.
However, there is a connection between them, as Rob Van Dam is a fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme and has been influenced by his movies. He has incorporated some of his moves, such as the split and the roundhouse kick, into his wrestling repertoire. He has also paid tribute to him by using his initials, RVD, as his nickname and by wearing a singlet with the letters JCVD on it. He has expressed his admiration for Jean-Claude Van Damme in several interviews and has said that he would love to meet him someday.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, while Rob Van Dam and Jean-Claude Van Damme may share a common last name and have excelled in physical entertainment, they are not related. They are two different individuals who have achieved success in their respective fields and have inspired many fans around the world. They are both legends in their own right and deserve respect and recognition for their accomplishments.