By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE part-timer Rob Van Dam appeared to take a veiled shot at C.M. Punk in the latest edition of Chris Jericho's podcast, "Talk is Jericho."

The comment came during a discussion of RVD's departure from WWE in 2007 when he was burned out on the WWE schedule.

"I took three years off. When I first left WWE, I was so burned out. I had been burned out for much of my run there. I had been asking for time off, not getting it, getting further burned out," RVD said.

"So, when my contract ran out - I'm not one of these guys who walks out in the middle of their contract. Whatever. Everyone handles their business differently. But, I finished the deal. And then I was like, 'I fulfilled my obligation. I don't care if I ever step in the ring again.'"

RVD said that feeling of burn-out contributed to his decision to join TNA in 2010. His experience in TNA also led to him returning to WWE in 2013 on a part-time schedule.

"I had a three-year contract with TNA," RVD said. "My pay and my deal was such that I had a number of matches that I would in a year." He recalled getting paid "overtime" at a certain point while waiting for his deal to run out.

TNA started calling to negotiate a new deal, but the hang-up was the lack of a starting date. RVD said management was deferring responsibility on his contract and not calling him back to finish contract talks. "It got to the point where I was offended," RVD said. "The thing wasn't happening with TNA."

RVD said he reached out to WWE, which set in motion his return. Discussing his recent WWE run, Van Dam endorsed Alberto Del Rio and Cesaro. He also endorsed the entire roster, saying there is "no room for guys who suck" anymore.

As for the TNA roster, RVD talked up his matches with Samoa Joe, Abyss, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, and A.J. Styles. He said he wished he had more ring time with Hardy and Styles, though.

[ LINK: RVD's entire interview with Jericho can be heard HERE at PodcastOne.com ]

[Torch art credit Cory Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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