Rob Van Dam's Potential WWE Farewell Tour Would Be Major Success

While it may have been an offhand comment, Rob Van Dam handed WWE executives a stellar idea—the former world champ going on a farewell tour.

There's money to be made and memories to craft by having Van Dam make his final stops inside the squared circle. Much like Ric Flair did leading up to WrestleMania XXIV, the high-flyer could say a long goodbye leading up to an emotional final bout.

It's an idea that RVD himself fired off the cuff.

At a Q&A session at the Mid-Atlantic Legends Fanfest (h/t PWInsider.com), Van Dam said that even though he's in between WWE contracts, going to Ring of Honor or TNA would breach the deal. And after noting he could go back to the company at any time, the veteran mentioned the idea of doing a retirement tour.

Hopefully someone in the WWE relays that info to some higher-ups. It's a no-brainer of an idea.

Credit: WWE.com

Van Dam isn't interested in a full-time deal, which he mentioned at the fanfest. He's too old to go on for years and years anyway. If he's truly considering hanging up his boots, WWE should take that opportunity to showcase him as it did Flair, bettering the WWE Network and elevating new stars along the way.

A Network Special Waiting to Happen

The WWE production team has done a tremendous job with its original specials. Backstage looks at WrestleMania 30, The Usos and Roman Reigns have been compelling, visually appealing hits.

A Van Dam farewell tour offers another opportunity to create something on that level.

Film Mr. Monday Night getting ready for some of his matches. Show him talking about his career. Put a camera on him as he travels alongside other members of the roster.

The documentary, like the tour itself, would lead up to his final showdown. 

It's an easy-to-make production. It's a smart way to maximize his final run with the company.

Fantasy Matches Along the Way

With the focus being more on Van Dam wrapping up his career than zeroing in on a particular rivalry, WWE would have the freedom to pair with a number of younger stars.

There are chances here to create some really fun matches in the vein of Chris Jericho vs. Neville at Beast in the East. That bout needed no buildup. It just paired two exciting talents in the ring and let them create their own fireworks.

Do the same with Van Dam, and there's sure to be a classic along the way.

Neville and Van Dam pulled off an excellent match at NXT. Booking a rematch would be smart considering their chemistry and that WWE could play up that Neville is sort of the successor to Van Dam. In addition, a battle with Finn Balor has great potential. The same can be said for him facing a hard-hitting bruiser such as Kevin Owens or Bray Wyatt.

There are number of matchups Van Dam simply hasn't had because he hasn't been around and new talent has emerged in his absence. A retirement tour is WWE's chance to deliver a number of these with an overarching story.

A Fresh Narrative

Van Dam wouldn't be fighting for a championship. He wouldn't be involved in one of the many bitter, personal feuds that are such a staple of the industry.

He would be telling a whole other story.

Mr. Monday Night could be out to prove himself against a new generation of Superstars. He could just announce how many matches he has on his contract and create a countdown feel as he finishes each one.

Credit: WWE.com

That opens the door for heels to want to do harm to him and crush him to show their dominance. Babyfaces could step up to challenge him in order to gain his respect.

WWE has options with the timeline as well. It could save that last bout for WrestleMania or else it could make another event feel major by adding RVD's final stand. Were Van Dam to end his WWE career at Extreme Rules in a mess of splintered Kendo sticks and broken tables, it would just feel right. Not to mention, it would give that pay-per-view a boost.

Before Van Dam is unable to compete at a high level any longer, WWE needs to take him up on his idea. Let him sing his swan song in front of fans soaking up those final notes.