Rhino Recalls Reaction When ECW Closed, Looks Back at Matches With Rob Van Dam & Sandman

Rhino recently looked back at his time in ECW and a couple of his key matches, as well as his feeling when the company closed. Rhino made his name in the promotion from 1999 to 2001. During that period, he won the ECW TV Championship and the ECW World Championship. He held both titles until the company closed in 2001.

During a WWE Retrospective video, Rhino reflected on his matches with RVD at Anarchy Rulez 2000 and Sandman at ECW Guilty As Charged 2001. The latter match saw him with the World Title. You can see highlights below:

On His First Match With Van Dam At Anarchy Rulez 2000:

“This match actually means a lot. Because Rob was the longest reigning ECW Television Champion at this point. He broke his foot, we were wrestling in Orlando, and then he had to relinquish the title. And then when Rob came back from his broken foot, that’s when we went into this match.

On Getting The Win:

“Just to get a victory over on Rob was a big deal, and to keep the title. I was five years into wrestling at this point. I had went overseas and worked in Germany for two seasons. I think if I would’ve went there sooner, I wouldn’t have been ready. And at this point, I was ready for ECW and then I learned so much in that short two-year period.”

On His Match With Sandman at Guilty As Charged 2000:

“I always forget that I slipped on the Gore until I watch it. And then I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s right, I slipped.’ And when you slip when you’re going to hit a Gore, you’re like, ‘This cannot be happening. But I recovered pretty well, I think so.

“You know, going out there and doing that and getting the titles, it’s just an accomplishment that I would’ve never thought would’ve taken place. So pretty big moment. And just working with Sandman all that time prior. Because that was really the first angle that put me on the map.”

On Sandman Getting Him Over In the Match:

The Sandman was one of those guys that he looked at me and he said, ‘I’m already over, kid, we need to get you over.’ He called it, he goes, ‘The crowd will go silent, ’cause they’ll think it’s a screw-up or something.’ He goes, ‘Then they’ll start chanting, ‘Refund.”

“And that started to gimme credibility, that angle. But it was nice that he did that, you know? He goes, ‘Oh, no one, will expect it.’ And as sure as s**t he was right.”

On ECW Closing:

“When the company closed its doors, it was one of those things where you didn’t really believe it was happening. It’s like you’re dating this girl and everything’s going fine, and all of a sudden she just leaves you, you know? And no explanation, it’s not there anymore.

“And I think it’s longer to get over something like that, you know? So I think that’s like anything in life when something’s there and it’s good and it’s going good and it’s not there anymore, it’s just a big void that it takes a little while to fill.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit WWE with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.