WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam attended the season premiere of SmackDown on September 13, marking the show's return to the USA Network after airing on Fox since 2019. RVD shared that he received very short notice for the invitation, only being informed the day before he was required to fly out. He attended the event with his wife, Katie Forbes, and expressed enjoyment in reconnecting with fellow legends and experiencing the positive atmosphere backstage. During his appearance, RVD filmed interviews for potential future WWE content, which may include a Netflix release. Notably, he interacted with other wrestling icons, including Paul Heyman and Triple H, and praised the younger talent for their respectfulness. RVD's surprise appearance adds to the anticipation of more legendary cameos as WWE embarks on its new deal with NBCUniversal.