Both, fans and superstars were surprised to see RVD win the match at WrestleMania. RVD has been in and out of the dog house for playing hardball with the WWE on his contract negotiations. RVD’s contract is set to expire at the end of the summer.

The latest on negotiations between WWE and RVD are said to be going very well, which is the reason WWE didn’t bury him at WrestleMania. The general feeling backstage is that if he would have gotten buried it would sour negotiations.

The feeling is that RVD would be crazy to leave, he has more than enough tenure to have a great downside guarantee in the 400k per year range. That is being offered on his current contract renewal. The possibility of TNA matching that kind of offer is slim to none.

RVD is insisting on an extended leave from WWE, upon his contract renewal. Somewhere in the four to twelve month range. He is asking for time to recharge his battery, the full-time schedule is starting to wear him down quite a bit. By the sounds of it, WWE is willing to accommodate him on this request.

Management has hinted to RVD several times that if he stays, he will be part of the family beyond his retirement with merchandising, Hall of Fame possibility and DVD’s. Things that TNA cannot match in the long run.

So all in all, it looks like RVD may be sticking with WWE. However, we are still several months away and things can change.