By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Rob Van Dam says he's not in a rush to return to pro wrestling, either for WWE or TNA, but the possibility of TNA moving to Monday nights could convince him to consider an offer from TNA.

RVD says he's said no to TNA in the past because it would mean closing the door on WWE and possibly losing value in the marketplace. Now, he's considering how much value there is in keeping the door open for WWE.

"As far as approaching RVD with a real serious offer, it's safe to say right now is a better time than has been over the last couple of years," he told Brian Fritz on the Between the Ropes radio show last night. "If they (TNA) do go Monday to Monday, live competition, I can only think it's probably as good a time compared to the last few years and there's a good chance it (the TNA product) will keep getting better, so I'm not in a hurry."

RVD added: "I'm gauging the value on that (WWE) door right now and I'm not sure that it's as important to keep it open if going through it just means returning to a full-time schedule because that sounds completely crazy to me right now. I don't have an itch to do that at all."

RVD was asked if he has an "itch" to return to wrestling at all and RVD said he didn't have any desire to return to the national TV wrestling scene until the January 4 WWE vs. TNA head-to-head battle.

"There obviously hasn't been anything I've had to act upon. The wrestling companies and the fans would like it if I was hungrier, but the itch was completely non-existent up until very recently - the last few weeks on January 4 - when the hype has really been cranked up," RVD said. "Yes, I opened up my mind some to consider some possibilities, whereas before I was like, 'No thanks, no thanks,' and now I'm like, 'maybe.'"

RVD said the thought of returning to WWE's full-time schedule sounds crazy when he's relaxing in California without having to be on anyone's schedule other than his own, but he said he believes he can physically hold up after preparing his body for a grueling four-week European tour recently.

RVD recalled telling the promoter in Europe that he felt like he could have gone another few weeks as the other wrestlers were completely burnt out by the end of the tour.

RVD's personal health is not an issue and he said his wife, Sonya, is also healthy after her recent battle with cancer. He said it simply comes down to him not placing as much value on the wrestling business in his life as others do.

"One thing's for sure, I've always been the first to admit there's a lot of guys love the business more than I do. It's way higher on their priority list than it is on mine. That explains a whole lot to me," he said. "I'm not in a hurry for anything. ... There's a chance something might work out and there's a good chance this year will be like the last couple of years hanging out in California and wrestling the very selective overseas bookings I have been doing."

RVD acknowledged that some people believe he's hiding a big secret and playing coy on when he might show up in WWE or TNA. "A lot of people assume I'm hiding a big secret," RVD said with a laugh. "Most people don't believe me when I tell them and the honest answer I give them is 'I don't know, let's see.'"

RVD also said he has a number of projects in the pipeline, so he's not in a hurry to make a decision to return or not. One project is a comedy gig with Sabu, Sandman, and Fonzi (Bill Alfonso) they filmed at the Improv that he's working on. He's also finishing a comic book he's been working on for ten years.

"If I do return to wrestling, it puts everything off, but that's okay, because I just have to live that much longer."

Link: Listen to RVD's complete, highly-recommended interview on the Between the Ropes radio show also featuring an appearance by Jason Powell of Prowrestling.net.

Caldwell's Analysis: RVD doesn't sound like he's hurting for cash right now and he's doing a fine job marketing himself as a "free agent." If WWE places high value on RVD or believes he could be of high value to TNA, it could lead to a phone call from WWE asking RVD to name his price on what it would take to keep him away from TNA. A short-term, limited-date run in WWE would boost his value for future European tours and earn him some even bigger paydays.

Or, if WWE takes a pass, RVD could get a good deal from TNA with him basically saying he can wait as long as he wants to before he ever rejoins the wrestling business unless TNA blows him away with an offer. Leverage - or the appearance of leverage - is a valuable tool when negotiating deals, especially in the wrestling business. RVD is positioning himself as having leverage in this situation by sitting back and waiting to see who can pull him away from his laid-back lifestyle in California.

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