Editing Rob Van Dam (section)

=== World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (2001–2007) ===

==== The Invasion (2001) ====
{{Main|The Invasion (professional wrestling)|l1=The Invasion|The Alliance (professional wrestling)|l2=The Alliance}}

Several months after the closure of ECW, Van Dam was signed to a short-term contract by the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). Along with fellow ECW alumnus Tommy Dreamer, Van Dam returned to WWF television on the July 9, 2001, episode of ''Raw is War'' in [[Atlanta, Georgia]] as a [[Heel (wrestling)|heel]], and attacking WWF wrestlers [[Glenn Jacobs|Kane]] and [[Chris Jericho]].<ref name="alliance">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#alliance|title=Rob Van Dam's Character In Alliance Storyline|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref><ref name="Raw - July 9, 2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010709.html|title=Raw results - July 9, 2001|date=July 9, 2001|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Later that night, five wrestlers from WWF and five wrestlers from WCW took on ten ECW wrestlers, including Van Dam. The match never took place as instead the WCW wrestlers aligned themselves with the ECW wrestlers.<ref name="alliance"/><ref name="Raw - July 9, 2001"/>

Despite being presented as a heel, Van Dam was popular with the WWF fans, who were aware of his reputation in ECW. After defeating [[Jeff Hardy]] for the [[WWF Hardcore Championship]] at [[WWF Invasion]] on July 22,<ref name="alliance"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs2000s.html|title=WWF Invasion results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref><ref name="hardcore">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=History Of The WWE Hardcore Championship|access-date=December 31, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2001/mainevent/|title=No Mercy 2001 main event|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 9, 2009|archive-date=February 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202083213/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2001/mainevent/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Van Dam lost the Hardcore Championship to Hardy on the August 13 episode of ''Raw is War'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010813.html|title=Raw results - August 13, 2001|date=August 13, 2001|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> but regained it at [[SummerSlam (2001)|SummerSlam]] on August 19 in a ladder match. During this time Van Dam had defeated wrestlers such as Kane, [[The Undertaker]], [[Kurt Angle]], Chris Jericho, [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] and even Alliance leader [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in singles and tag team matches.<ref name="hardcore"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2001/results/|title=SummerSlam 2001 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 9, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305202318/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2001/results/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Van Dam became one of the most popular members of [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|the Alliance]] who faced The Rock for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]] on multiple occasions, and even challenged Alliance leader Stone Cold Steve Austin for the [[WWE World Championship|WWF Championship]] including a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]] at [[No Mercy (2001)|No Mercy]] on October 21 also involving [[Kurt Angle]], but did not win. At [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] on November 18, Van Dam and four other Alliance members faced five WWF wrestlers in a ''Winner Take All'' match. Team WWF won, and the members of the Alliance were fired; however, as he held the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|Hardcore Championship]], Van Dam was able to retain his job.<ref name="alliance"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2001 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103130418/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/results/ |archive-date=November 3, 2007 }}</ref>

==== Intercontinental Champion and Championship Unifications (2001–2002) ====
Van Dam became a face, but lost the Hardcore Championship to The Undertaker at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]] on December 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2001/results/|title=Vengeance 2001 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#wwf2|title=RVD's WWF Career (2001)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref> He then entered into a rivalry with [[William Regal]] over Regal's [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]].<ref name="wwf2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#02|title=RVD's WWF Career (2002)|publisher=Acclerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref> On the February 25, 2002 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam defeated Lance Storm and [[Big Show]] in a triple threat match to become the #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="wwf2002"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020225.html|title=Raw results - February 25, 2002|date=February 25, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17, Van Dam faced Regal for the Intercontinental Championship and won the match after he hit Regal with a Five-Star Frog Splash.<ref name="wwf2002"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/ |title=WrestleMania X-8 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319101052/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322704|title=History Of The Intercontinental Championship - Rob Van Dam(1)|access-date=January 1, 2008|publisher=WWE|archive-date=December 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215085628/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322704|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Rvdwmx8@Commons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.9|Van Dam after winning the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X8]]]]

When the WWF was divided into two "[[WWE brand extension|brands]]", [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] in 2002, Van Dam was [[WWE brand extension#Superstar selections|drafted]] to the Raw brand as the fourth pick, thus bringing the Intercontinental Championship to ''Raw''.<ref name="rvdraw02">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#raw1|title=RVD's Raw Career (2002)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref><ref name="2002 Draft">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=Raw results - March 25, 2002|date=March 25, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the April 1 episode of ''Raw'', after Van Dam defended his title successfully against [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]], [[Eddie Guerrero]] returned to the WWF and attacked Van Dam.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020401.html|title=Raw results - April 1, 2002|date=April 1, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> He started a feud with Guerrero over the Intercontinental Championship. At [[Backlash (2002)|Backlash]] on April 21, Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to Guerrero.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/results/|title=Backlash 2002 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> At [[Insurrextion (2002)|Insurrextion]] on May 4, Van Dam and Guerrero had a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Guerrero was disqualified after hitting the referee with the Intercontinental Championship; as a result, Van Dam won the match but not the title because a title cannot change hands by disqualification.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/ins.html#2002|title=Insurrextion 2002 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> At [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] on May 19, Van Dam failed to win the Intercontinental title from Guerrero in another rematch.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2002 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215114025/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/results/ |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref> The following night he defeated The Undertaker for the [[WWE Championship|WWE Undisputed Championship]] but Raw owner [[Ric Flair]] restarted the match (due to The Undertaker's foot being on the bottom rope), which Van Dam then lost negating the title win.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020520.html|title=Raw results - May 20, 2002|date=May 20, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the May 27 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam defeated Guerrero in a [[ladder match]] for his second Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020527.html|title=Raw results - May 27, 2002|date=May 27, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322712 |title=History Of the Intercontinental Championship - Rob Van Dam (2) |access-date=January 1, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421232701/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322712 |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }}</ref>

After facing each other in the final round of the [[King of the Ring (2002)|2002]] [[King of the Ring tournament]] (which he lost), Van Dam and [[Brock Lesnar]] began feuding with each other. Van Dam defended his Intercontinental Championship against Lesnar twice and retained his title both times by disqualification on the June 24 episode of ''Raw'' and at [[Vengeance (2002)|Vengeance]] on July 21.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020624.html|title=Raw results - June 24, 2002|date=June 24, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/results/|title=Vengeance 2002 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On the July 22 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam won the [[WWE European Championship]] for the first and only time{{refn|group=note|name=first}} after he defeated then-European Champion Jeff Hardy in a [[championship unification]] [[ladder match]]. As a result, the European Championship was deactivated upon being unified with the Intercontinental Championship. On the July 29 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to [[Chris Benoit]].<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020729.html|title=Raw results - July 29, 2002|date=July 29, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

[[File:RVDCampeonIC.JPG|thumb|Van Dam as Intercontinental Champion]]
At [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] on August 25, Van Dam won his third Intercontinental Championship by defeating Benoit in a rematch for the title.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2002/results/|title=SummerSlam 2002 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322720 |title=History Of The Intercontinental Championship - Rob Van Dam(3) |access-date=January 1, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422143034/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322720 |archive-date=April 22, 2007 }}</ref> As Benoit brought the title to ''SmackDown!'' when he switched brands shortly after winning it, Van Dam brought the title back to ''Raw''.<ref name="rvdraw02"/> On the August 26 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam won the Hardcore Championship for the fourth and final time after he defeated then-Hardcore Champion Tommy Dreamer in a championship unification [[hardcore match]]. As a result, the Hardcore Championship was deactivated upon being unified with the Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="hardcore"/><ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020826.html|title=Raw results - August 26, 2002|date=August 26, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the September 9 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam became the number one contender to the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] by defeating Chris Jericho, [[Jeff Hardy]], and [[Big Show]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|fatal four-way elimination match]].<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020909.html|title=Raw results - September 9, 2002|date=September 9, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

Van Dam started feuding with the World Heavyweight Champion [[Triple H]]. On the September 16 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to Chris Jericho after interference by Triple H.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020916.html|title=Raw results - September 16, 2002|date=September 16, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]] on September 22, Van Dam faced Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Due to [[Ric Flair]]'s interference, Van Dam lost the match.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ Unforgiven 2002 main event] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921081355/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ |date=September 21, 2010 }}</ref> At [[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]] on October 20, Van Dam got his revenge on Flair by defeating him.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2002/results/ |title=No Mercy 2002 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126081749/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2002/results/ |archive-date=November 26, 2007 }}</ref> At [[Survivor Series (2002)|Survivor Series]] on November 17, Van Dam participated in the first-ever [[WWE Elimination Chamber|Elimination Chamber]] match for Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship, but it was won by [[Shawn Michaels]]. During the match, Van Dam performed a Five-Star Frog Splash off of one of the pods/chambers onto Triple H, and accidentally landed his knee onto Triple H's throat.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2002/mainevent/ |title=Survivor Series 2002 main event |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221171201/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2002/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 21, 2008 }}</ref>

==== Teaming and feuding with Kane (2002–2003) ====
Van Dam appeared on the World Heavyweight Championship scene and also formed a tag team with Kane in October.<ref name="rvdraw02"/> Van Dam defeated Jericho and Booker T in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triple Threat match]] to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021118.html|title=Raw results - November 18, 2002|date=November 18, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the November 25 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam faced Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship. Michaels was disqualified after Triple H hit Van Dam with a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]].<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021125.html|title=Raw results - November 25, 2002|date=November 25, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the December 2 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam lost to Triple H in a #1 contender's match with World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels acting as the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special guest referee]].<ref name="rvdraw02"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021202.html|title=Raw results - December 2, 2002|date=December 2, 2002|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

Van Dam continued to team up with Kane. Van Dam participated in the [[Royal Rumble (2003)|Royal Rumble]] on January 19, 2003, and was one of the final five participants before being tricked and eliminated by Kane. The two faced Lance Storm and William Regal at [[No Way Out (2003)|No Way Out]] on February 23 for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] but failed to win the titles when Kane mistakenly [[chokeslam]]med Van Dam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/results/|title=No Way Out 2003 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On the March 31 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam and Kane defeated World Tag Team Champions Lance Storm and [[Sean Morley|Chief Morley]] and The Dudley Boyz in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team matches|3-way elimination tag team match]] to win the World Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030331.html|title=Raw results - March 31, 2003|date=March 31, 2003|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112211 |title=History Of The World Tag Team Championship - Kane and Rob Van Dam(1) |access-date=January 2, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123033305/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112211 |archive-date=November 23, 2005 }}</ref> At [[Backlash (2003)|Backlash]] on April 27, Van Dam and Kane retained the titles against The Dudley Boyz with Morley as the special guest referee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/results/ |title=Backlash 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224033139/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref> At [[Insurrextion (2003)|Insurrextion]] on June 7, Van Dam and Kane defended the World Tag Team Championship successfully against La Résistance,<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/ins.html#03|title=Insurrextion 2003 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> before losing the titles to La Résistance at [[WWE Bad Blood (2003)|Bad Blood]] on June 15.<ref name="rvdraw03">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#03|title=RVD's Raw Career (2003)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/badd.html#2003|title=Badd Blood 2003 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>

After Kane was forced to take his mask off when he lost a World Heavyweight Championship match to Triple H on the June 23 episode of ''Raw'', he [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] heel by chokeslamming Van Dam, and the team dissolved. The two then started feuding with each other.<ref name="rvdraw03"/> On the August 18 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam faced [[Christian Cage|Christian]] for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but Kane interfered in the match and knocked Van Dam out after hitting him with a chair. Kane then took Van Dam to the backstage area and was about to set him on fire. Kane changed his mind at the last minute, however, and said that he was not going to do what "they" wanted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030818.html|title=Raw results - August 18, 2003|date=August 18, 2003|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Their rivalry led to a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Holds Barred match]] at [[SummerSlam (2003)|SummerSlam]] on August 24, which Kane won.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |title=SummerSlam 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619060949/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=June 19, 2007 }}</ref> On the September 8 episode of ''Raw'', the rivalry ended when Kane defeated Van Dam in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]]. Kane threw Van Dam through the steel cage by mistake (causing Van Dam to win), but [[Eric Bischoff]] came out and restarted the match, saying Van Dam did not escape through the door or climb out of the cage and ordered the referees to put Van Dam back inside the cage where Kane eventually hit a chokeslam from the side of the cage to pick up the victory.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030908.html|title=Raw results - September 8, 2003|date=September 8, 2003|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

==== Championship reigns (2003–2005) ====
In September, Van Dam started feuding with both Christian and Chris Jericho over Christian's Intercontinental Championship. On the September 15 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam faced Jericho in a number one contender's match for the title. The match ended in a double disqualification when Intercontinental Champion Christian interfered and hit both men with the title belt.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030915.html|title=Raw results - September 15, 2003|date=September 15, 2003|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[Unforgiven (2003)|Unforgiven]] on September 21 in a triple threat match between Jericho, Christian, and Van Dam, Christian retained his title.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref name="rvdoww">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/rob-van-dam.html|title=Rob Van Dam's OWW Profile|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/results/ |title=Unforgiven 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331203746/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008 }}</ref> Van Dam, however, defeated Christian in a ladder match on the September 29 episode of ''Raw'' to win the Intercontinental Championship for a fourth time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322748 |title=History Of The Intercontinental Championship - Rob Van Dam(4) |access-date=January 2, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410194446/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322748 |archive-date=April 10, 2007 }}</ref> Van Dam entered into a rivalry with Chris Jericho in October, and the two faced each other in several tag team matches.<ref name="rvdoww"/> On the October 27 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to Jericho. Van Dam reached the ropes when the challenger had him in the [[Boston crab#Elevated Boston crab|Walls of Jericho]], but Raw Co-General Manager Eric Bischoff distracted the referee while Jericho dragged Van Dam back into the middle of the ring. Van Dam submitted and Jericho became the new champion.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref name="rvdoww"/><ref name="Raw - RVD vs Jericho">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/031027.html|title=Raw results - October 27, 2003|date=October 27, 2003|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Raw Co-General Manager Stone Cold Steve Austin came out and immediately ordered Jericho to face Van Dam in a rematch inside the Steel Cage for the title. Van Dam won the rematch and his fifth Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="rvdoww"/><ref name="Raw - RVD vs Jericho"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322756 |title=History Of the Intercontinental Championship - Rob Van Dam (5) |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422142210/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322756 |archive-date=April 22, 2007 }}</ref>

At [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]] on November 16, Van Dam was pinned by [[Randy Orton]] during the traditional elimination match between Team Austin and Team Bischoff that Van Dam's team would lose.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2003/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102150217/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=January 2, 2008 }}</ref> As a result, Orton and Van Dam started feuding with each other over Van Dam's Intercontinental title.<ref name="rvdraw03"/> Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to Orton at [[Armageddon (2003)|Armageddon]] on December 14 after interference from Ric Flair.<ref name="rvdraw03"/><ref name="rvdoww"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2003/results/ |title=Armageddon 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130160822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=November 30, 2007 }}</ref> Van Dam went on to feud with both Orton and Evolution. On the January 12, 2004, episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam faced Orton in a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship but lost the match.<ref name="rvdraw04">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#04|title=RVD's Raw Career (2004)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040112.html|title=Raw results - January 12, 2004|date=January 12, 2004|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

Van Dam formed a tag team with [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]. The two teamed for the first time on the January 19 episode of ''Raw'' when they defeated Christian and [[Matt Hardy]] to qualify for a battle royal where the winner of the Battle Royal would get the #30 spot in the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|2004 Royal Rumble]] match on January 25.<ref name="rvdraw04"/><ref name="2004 Royal Rumble #30">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040112.html|title=Raw results - January 19, 2004|date=January 19, 2004|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the February 16 episode of ''Raw'', Booker T and Van Dam defeated [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]] members Ric Flair and [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] to win the World Tag Team Championship.<ref name="rvdraw04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321331 |title=History Of The World Tag Team Championship - Rob Van Dam and Booker T(1) |access-date=February 17, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050706011939/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321331 |archive-date=July 6, 2005 }}</ref> At [[WrestleMania XX]] on March 14, Booker T and Van Dam defended the World Tag Team Championship in a fatal four-way elimination tag team match against the Dudley Boyz, La Résistance, and the team of [[Mark Jindrak]] and [[Lance Cade|Garrison Cade]].<ref name="rvdraw04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |title=WrestleMania XX official results |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319101057/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008 }}</ref> On the March 22 episode of ''Raw'', Booker T and Van Dam lost the World Tag Team Championship back to [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]].<ref name="rvdraw04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=Raw results - March 22, 2004|date=March 22, 2004|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

On March 22, Van Dam was [[2004 WWE Draft Lottery|drafted]] to the SmackDown! brand.<ref name="rvdsd04">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#sd|title=RVD's SmackDown! Career (2004)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref> He made his ''SmackDown!'' debut on March 25 defeating [[Charlie Haas]]. Van Dam and [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]] began a feud with the Dudley Boyz, defeating them at [[Judgment Day (2004)|Judgment Day]] on May 16.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2004/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323114358/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2004/results/ |archive-date=March 23, 2008 }}</ref> In June, Van Dam left the tag team division and began a pursuit for the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Championship]]. At [[The Great American Bash (2004)|The Great American Bash]] on June 27, [[John Cena]] defended the title against Van Dam, Booker T, and [[René Goguen|René Duprée]] in a Fatal Four-Way match and retained his championship.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2004/results/ |title=The Great American Bash 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211021856/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the July 1 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Van Dam and Duprée lost to Booker T in a number one contender's Triple Threat match.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040701.html|title=SmackDown! results - July 1, 2004|date=July 1, 2004|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref> Four weeks later, Van Dam participated in an [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|8-way elimination match]] for the vacant United States Championship, and was the last man to be eliminated by eventual winner Booker T.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040729.html|title=SmackDown! results - July 29, 2004|date=July 29, 2004|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref>

Van Dam began teaming up with Mysterio again in the summer and feuded with René Duprée and [[Kenzo Suzuki]]. At [[No Mercy (2004)|No Mercy]] on October 3, Van Dam and Mysterio failed to win the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] from Dupree and Suzuki.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2004/results/ |title=No Mercy 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219171744/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> On the December 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Van Dam and Mysterio defeated Duprée and Suzuki to win the WWE Tag Team Championship,<ref name=wwetag>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/raw-tag-team-championship|title=Raw Tag Team Championship|website=WWE}}</ref> and retained the title in a rematch at [[Armageddon (2004)|Armageddon]] on December 12.<ref name="rvdsd04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/results/ |title=Armageddon 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323114147/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=March 23, 2008 }}</ref> In January 2005, Van Dam suffered a knee injury. To explain his absence, the [[Basham Brothers]] ([[Doug Basham|Doug]] and [[Daniel Hollie|Danny]]) defeated Mysterio and Van Dam for the WWE Tag Team Championship, in a Fatal Four-Way elimination tag team match on the January 13 episode of ''SmackDown!'', "injuring" Van Dam in the process.<ref name="rvdsd05">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#05|title=RVD's SmackDown! Career (2005)|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050113.html|title=SmackDown! results - January 13, 2005|date=January 13, 2005|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref> On January 27, Van Dam underwent reconstructive knee surgery under Dr. James Andrews to repair a torn [[anterior cruciate ligament]] and [[Meniscus (anatomy)|meniscus]].<ref name="rvdoww"/><ref name="rvdsd05"/>

==== WWE Champion and ECW Champion (2005–2006) ====
[[File:Rob Van Dam RVD thumbs.jpg|thumb|Van Dam during his ring entrance at [[WrestleMania 23]]]]

While recuperating, Van Dam made an appearance at the ECW reunion pay-per-view [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 12. Accompanied by his former manager Bill Alfonso and sporting a knee brace, Van Dam delivered a [[Shoot (professional wrestling)#Worked shoots|worked shoot]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#P|promo]], standing up for ECW and criticizing the way he had been [[List of professional wrestling terms#B|booked]] in WWE, until he was attacked by [[Terry Gerin|Rhyno]]. He was saved by Sabu, who defeated Rhyno in an impromptu match. Despite his injury, Van Dam got physically involved in the match, hitting Rhyno with a chairshot and giving him a [[#In wrestling|Chair Surf]].<ref name="raw05">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/vandam.html#raw3|title=RVD's Raw Career (2005)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref> On the June 27 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam, while still healing, was drafted to the Raw brand in the [[2005 WWE draft lottery|2005 draft lottery]]. He was introduced to ''Raw'' by [[Carly Colón|Carlito]], who insulted Van Dam before attacking him and assaulting his knee. Van Dam made his return to the ring over seven months later at the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]] on January 29, 2006. He gained revenge on Carlito by eliminating him, but was in turn inadvertently eliminated by Rey Mysterio in the final moments. On the February 6 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam defeated Carlito in the first round of the Road to WrestleMania Tournament to determine the number one contender to the WWE Championship, but lost in the final round to Triple H, in a triple threat match, which also featured Big Show. Later, Van Dam defeated [[Trevor Murdoch]] to qualify for the [[Money in the Bank ladder match]] at [[WrestleMania 22]] on April 2. Van Dam went on to win the match, thus earning himself a guaranteed shot at either the WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship at any time within the subsequent year.<ref name= MitB>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania22/matches/2220322/results/|date=February 4, 2006|title=RVD wins the "Money in the Bank" Ladder Match|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

Following the ladder match, [[Shelton Benjamin]] challenged Van Dam to put his Money in the Bank opportunity on the line in a match. Van Dam countered by requesting a match for Benjamin's Intercontinental Championship. One week later, both Van Dam and Benjamin picked mystery opponents for one another, with the loser placing their respective prize on the line in a bout at [[Backlash (2006)|Backlash]] on April 30. Benjamin lost to the returning [[Charlie Haas]], while Van Dam was defeated by all five members of the [[Spirit Squad]]. As a result, both the Intercontinental Championship and the Money in the Bank title shot were contested at Backlash. Van Dam went on to win the former, before dropping the Intercontinental Championship back to Benjamin on the May 15 episode of ''Raw''.

[[File:RobVD5.jpg|thumb|left|Van Dam facing Hardcore Holly in the [[Elimination Chamber#Variations|Extreme Elimination Chamber]] at [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]]]]
On May 29, Van Dam was selected by Paul Heyman to be [[2006 WWE brand extension draft|drafted]] to WWE's new [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand. At [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 11, Van Dam cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship. After two referees were knocked out, [[Adam Copeland|Edge]] appeared from underneath the ring to attack Cena, [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spearing]] him through a table. Van Dam then hit a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frog splash|Five Star Frog Splash]] and the pinfall was counted by Paul Heyman, who suddenly ran down the aisle. On the following episode of ''Raw'', [[Vince McMahon]] confirmed that the title change was official due to the match being held under "extreme rules". For the past few weeks, Heyman had hinted that the WWE Championship would be "rechristened" the ECW World Heavyweight Championship when Van Dam won. On the debut of ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'', Van Dam was awarded the reinstated [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship]] by Heyman and decided to defend the WWE Championship separately and simultaneously, joking that "this one spins", becoming the first wrestler in history to hold both the WWE Championship and the ECW World Heavyweight Championship as well as the only one to hold them at the same time, making him a double world champion. He would become the 15th WWE [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#WWE|Triple Crown Champion]] as a result of his WWE Championship win.

At [[Vengeance (2006)|Vengeance]] on June 25, Van Dam defeated Edge to retain the WWE Championship. Two nights later on ''ECW'', Van Dam defeated Kurt Angle to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ecw-wwe/060627.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|website=www.onlineworldofwrestling.com}}</ref> On the July 3 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam lost the WWE Championship to Edge in a triple threat match that also featured John Cena. The next night on the July 4 episode of ''ECW'', he lost the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to Big Show after Heyman [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on him. Later on WWE.com, Heyman suspended Van Dam for 30 days without giving a reason ([[Legit (professional wrestling)|in reality]], WWE suspended Van Dam for 30 days as a result of [[#2006 arrest|his recent drug possession arrest]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/rvdsuspended|title=RVD Suspended|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 4, 2006}}</ref>

He returned to television on the August 8 episode of ''ECW'', attacking both Sabu and [[Kurt Angle]] during a match. His return to the ring came a week later, in a losing effort to Sabu in a [[ladder match]] for number one contendership to the now renamed ECW World Championship. Van Dam slowly worked his way back into the championship picture. In October, Van Dam defeated Big Show in a non-title match to regain the number one contendership. Having the option to pick a date for the title, Van Dam announced the title match would occur at [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]] on December 3. However, Heyman had the option of picking the match type and announced that the main event would be a six-man [[Elimination Chamber#Variations|Extreme Elimination Chamber]] match. At December to Dismember, Van Dam was the third participant eliminated. Later in December, Van Dam once again earned the number one contendership to the ECW World Championship, but this time by a fan poll. Van Dam got three matches against ECW World Champion [[Bobby Lashley]], coming up short each time.

==== The ECW Originals (2006–2007) ====
{{Main|ECW Originals}}
[[File:ECW originals313.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|[[Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu]], [[Tommy Dreamer]], Van Dam and [[The Sandman (wrestler)|The Sandman]] ([[ECW Originals]]) performing their signature poses]]

Rob Van Dam later joined the [[ECW Originals]] along with Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, and [[The Sandman (wrestler)|The Sandman]]. The ECW Originals began a feud with the [[New Breed (ECW)|New Breed]] ([[Elijah Burke]], [[Kevin Thorn]], [[Monty Brown|Marcus Cor Von]], and [[Matthew Kaye|Matt Striker]]). The two teams faced off at [[WrestleMania 23]] on April 1, 2007 in a match which the ECW Originals won. After Vince McMahon won the ECW World Championship at [[Backlash (2007)|Backlash]] on April 29, Van Dam and the other ECW Originals made statements on WWE.com about McMahon killing ECW. On the May 1 episode of ''ECW'', the ECW Originals all competed in a fatal four-way match to decide who would take on McMahon the next week in a title match, which Van Dam won after a five-star frog splash on Sandman. Van Dam, however, had to face McMahon, [[Shane McMahon]], and [[Eddie Fatu|Umaga]] in a 3-on-1 handicap match, which Van Dam was unable to win.

Van Dam received a concussion during a match with [[Randy Orton]] on the May 28 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/3960574/rvdupdate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531083102/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/3960574/rvdupdate|archive-date=May 31, 2007|title=RVD injury update}}</ref> Orton further attacked Van Dam after the match due to the comments Van Dam made on WWE.com about the lack of respect Orton displayed towards [[Shawn Michaels]], who also suffered a concussion at the hands of Orton. Van Dam once again faced Orton at [[One Night Stand (2007)|One Night Stand]] on June 3, this time in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|Stretcher match]]. Although it looked as if Orton was going to win again, Van Dam gave him a [[roundhouse kick]] to the head and was able to push the stretcher across the line for the win. Despite winning the match, Orton continued to attack Van Dam, ending with an [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Elevated DDT|elevated DDT]] off the barricade and onto the concrete floor, in which Van Dam was carried out on a stretcher. After the match, Van Dam left WWE due to being burnt out and needing time away.