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In Japanese puroresu, under the watchful eye of the revered Giant Baba, Rob Van Dam underwent a transformation that would redefine his career trajectory. Baba not only sharpened RVD's in-ring acumen, but catalyzed the evolution of his visual persona. On his "1 of a Kind" podcast, RVD recently peeled back the curtain on this formative period, revealing how Baba's keen eye for presentation sparked the genesis of his signature airbrushed attire. This shift marked a pivotal moment in RVD's ascent from promising rookie to bona fide international sensation.
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"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." The Japanese promoter nudged RVD towards a more holistic reinvention. This included a transition from boxing shoes to more traditional wrestling boots, and an embrace of a more vibrant color palette.
"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," RVD recalled. "In Japan, I was kinda, I guess, the American version of a high-flying babyface." In the twilight of his in-ring career, it is clear that Van Dam's influence on wrestling holds strong. His continued popularity on the independent circuit, as well as in AEW, serves as a reminder of his enduring appeal.
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If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "1 of a Kind" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.

