WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam recently took to his podcast "1 of a Kind", to share the details of his dramatic physical transformation under the guidance of the legendary Giant Baba, when he was working in Japan early in his career. This transformation became a key ingredient for his future success and Van Dam elucidates how it came about.
Van Dam begins with a shout out to the wrestling legend Shohei Baba, aka Giant Baba, and credited him as the creator of the look. It was his vision that provided RVD with the idea of his signature airbrushed attire.
Rob Van Dam gets into how Giant Baba contributed to the look he is now known for and how it was developed initially. Baba guided him to transition to a more professional guise which proved to be the right call as it greatly enhanced his visual persona, crafting a signature look for his career.
"The idea [for airbrush] came from when Giant Baba wanted to change my look ... I was getting over really young. Fans really liked me, so he wanted me to look professional, because I was wrestling with the same outfit but no paint at all. So I just had like a black one and a red one. You know, low budget. It's all I could afford at the time,." said RVD.
The Japanese wrestling icon relayed his vision for RVD’s look which he believed should include boots and an overall vibrant hues to his attire.
"Baba wanted me to wear boots. And he talked me into wearing boots. ... He said maybe bright colors or something. I pictured at the time that maybe he was thinking of like The Rockers. 'Cause Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels I remember at the time were really over as high-flying babyfaces," he continues. "In Japan, I was kinda, I guess, the American version of a high-flying babyface."
Rob Van Dam continue to be a stellar presence in today’s global wrestling arena and is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
READ ALSO: "We kind of just buried the hatchet": Miz talks about sorting differences with CM Punk
READ ALSO: “I was a little bit surprised” - WWE Hall Of Famer Rob Van Dam About Hulk Hogan's RNC Speech
READ ALSO: Drew McIntyre playing CM Punk’s old song "This Fire Burns"