Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
While legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger made a name for themselves with their bodybuilding routines, many have forgotten one former WWE star’s unique record. Rob Van Dam was one star who held the world championship with both the earlier ECW and the WWE. At the peak of his career, the USA Wrestling Association invited him to submit a lift for competition and Van Dam’s record lift remained unbeaten for a long time.
Van Dam currently wrestles in WWE’s competitor company, the All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Van Dam’s record was recently claimed to be broken by a professional bodybuilder and acrobatic trainer, Jon Call aka Jujimufu.
Rob Van Dam Deserves A Place Amongst Legends Like Arnold Schwarzenegger For His Unique Record
Robert Alexander Szatkowski aka Rob Van Dam gained recognition among wrestling fans through his participation in ECW during the latter half of the 1990s. He defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in 1998 to win the ECW Television Championship. When ECW closed in 2001, Van Dam signed with WWE. In a title match at One Night Stand, Van Dam defeated WWE ChampionJohn Cenaand won his first world championship.
Getting Chased by Wild Dogs is Not the Most Terrible Thing Arnold Schwarzenegger Had to Go Through For Conan The Barbarian
During his ECW days, the USA Wrestling Association (USAWA) invited wrestler Rob Van Dam to introduce a new lift of his choice, as part of a publicity stunt. Van Dam decided to submit his signature Van Dam Lift for the competition. The lift involved doing a side split at least a foot above the floor and attempting to lift the weight from the floor to the waist level.
While other bodybuilders have attempted this lift several times, almost no one could lift Van Dam’s record, a weight of 166.5 lbs, off the ground (@shanegreenstrongman). Van Dam claimed that it was a new record in the bodybuilding world. However, he failed to make the record official and it remained an unofficial record for years.
According to bodybuilding experts, Rob Van Dam’s achievement is no small feat. In order to lift such a heavy weight in a raised side split position, the weightlifter must have astronomical power around the groin area. Many bodybuilders to this date appreciate the flexibility shown by the former WWE star. Even theseven-time Mr. OlympiachampionArnold Schwarzeneggercouldn’t have come anywhere closer to this record.
Rob Van Dam’s Lift Record Was Allegedly Beaten By Jujimufu
Jon Call aka Jujimufu posted a video onsocial mediashowing him breaking the Van Dam Lift record of the WWE Hall of Famer in his first attempt. Jujimufu claimed that he lifted 180 lbs, however, the weight was not locked out and the dumbbell was not weighed. Nevertheless, Van Dam took toXto congratulate the bodybuilder on breaking the record, with the comment,“What a VANTASTIC job.”
“You have a lot of nerve coming here”: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Keaton Have a Intense Stare Down at the Oscars as Batman Stars Reunite
TheGuinness Book of World Recordsneither recognizes Van Dam’s record nor Jujimufu’s. According to the official records, Ujjwal S. Thakuri holds the record with 142.48 lbs, which he lifted on July 06, 2025. Van Dam has won a total of 21 championships from ECW, WWE, and TNA. He and Bobby Lashley jointly hold the record of having held the WWE, ECW, and TNA world championships.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3019
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
More from Hashim Asraff
Madison Beer’s Boyfriend: Who Is She Dating?
Brad Pitt Hits Maximum Paranoia: Real Reason He Wants to Turn $12 Million Home Into a “Fortress” (Report)
Peacemaker Season 2: Frank Grillo Reveals John Cena’s Secret That He Never Saw Coming
Recommended
Sekiro: No Defeat Might Outshine the Elden Ring Movie as FromSoft’s Next Big Adaptation
Everything You Can Unlock In The New Final Final Fantasy 14 X Monster Hunter Wilds Crossover
Gen V Season 2: How Many Episodes Are in the Prime Video Series?
5 Addictive Discord Games That Will Hook Your Whole Squad
Helen Mirren Agrees With Ana de Armas for Next James Bond With Feminist Take
Keeper Trailer: Tatiana Maslany Tries to Survive in Longlegs Director’s Next Horror Flick
Arnold Schwarzenegger
