RVD Addresses Drew McIntyre’s Explosive “Marks in the Dressing Room” Comments

Rob Van Dam is known to be very outspoken when it comes to his beliefs, especially regarding the modern-day professional wrestling world. In fact, he recently addressed Drew McIntyre’s “Marks in the locker room” comments and ended up agreeing with The Scottish Warrior.

While speaking on his 1 of a Kind podcast, RVD shared his thoughts on Drew McIntyre’s comments about “marks in the dressing room.” He agreed with McIntyre but said this isn’t something new. Looking back on his own career, RVD explained that the locker room used to be very different. Wrestlers had strict rules, like not talking unless spoken to or introducing themselves properly. They were expected to act like professionals, not fans.

“For the Drew McIntyre question, um, my take on that is that he’s, he’s right that it’s the marks in the dressing room now, but it’s not like, I don’t think during his career span that he saw it change. In other words, yeah, in other words, you know, way back in the day, um, I don’t know, I mean, maybe he’s been doing it as long as me because I guess, uh, I was there at the tail end of the, uh, the older guys. You know, I’ve told this story bunch—the first time I was allowed in the dressing room, don’t talk to anybody unless they talk to you, unless you’re gonna introduce yourself, you know, um, you’re their wrestler or you’re a fan. You can’t be both, you know, don’t come in here if you’re gonna be a fan.”

Over time, RVD noticed things changing. Wrestlers started taking pictures together backstage, and the old rules became more relaxed. While he goes along with these changes now, like taking photos when asked, he believes this shift started long before McIntyre’s time.

RVD said it began when wrestlers started breaking kayfabe and talking openly about their match plans. He thinks this “marks in the dressing room” culture has been around for a long time, not just in the last 10 or 20 years.

“And, um, anyway, that was like brainwashed in, in, into me. And, and now it’s, um, you know, I think pictures with a lot of the other wrestlers on their phones in the dressing room, you know, if, if they ask, you know, I don’t beat him up like SE would have 20 years ago. I take the photo because it’s changed, but I don’t think that was in the last five or 10 years. I don’t think it was, you know, even the last 20 years, you know what I mean? So, um, I, I think it’s been that way, uh, for, for quite a while, you know, ever since, uh, ever since everyone wanted, uh, break kayfabe and, and start, uh, talking about all of the planner that they put into their, their efforts for the night.

And, and then, you know, then they deal with the consequences of that. So, I think it’s, um, those kind of people who, um, ever since they’ve been doing that, it’s been the marks in the dressing room.”

This stems from Drew McIntyre’s comments during an episode of Busted Open Radio, where he called out internet opinions as well as professional wrestlers for never checking up on him, among other things.

“Going home this time and spending real time with my family, I realized that I may have made a mistake. I’ve given, given and given to this industry, and it’s taken, taken and taken from my real family. As much as we’re on the road and we call each other family, that’s a matter of convenience. I was with my real family. When I was gone for that few months, I could count on one finger how many people checked in. ‘How are you doing, Drew?’ That really opened my eyes. I tried to stay away from social media and the likes. I’ll be back ripping people and being myself, but I’ll see things like someone cuts a one minute promo and that’s the best promo of the year. What have you done for me lately? The same old crap. It occurred to me, why are we placating so much to the smart marks, to the internet fans? When do things change? I realized that it wasn’t like when we started and I was a young kid. It’s when we started letting marks into the locker room. It’s really getting to me, and I hate to say this, but I give, and give, and give. As far as wrestling on TV is concerned, I’m going to take, and take, and take.”

The way professional wrestling works is changing, leading to talks about its traditions, growth, and professionalism. RVD is clearly aware of just how things continue to change and he has more or less embraced it instead of resisting it and fans feel that’s for the best.

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