By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

Former WWE champion Rob Van Dam was interviewed on FOX News's "Geraldo at Large" TV show on Saturday night to discuss U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps's scandal related to being photographed smoking marijuana last year.

RVD was brought onto the show via satellite from Los Angeles to give a pro-marijuana argument on the topic based on his historical support of the drug. He was asked about sponsors pulling Phelps's product endorsements and RVD said those decisions are "based on ignorance."

"If his views are inconsistent with their views, then they have a right to pull endorsement, but it is based on ignorance," he said. "What if he had a cigarette in his mouth? Nobody would think anybody about that, but cigarettes kill half-a-million people a year."

Geraldo Rivera asked RVD about being suspended by WWE in 2005 for marijuana possession and he said it cost him the WWE and ECW Titles, plus "thousands of dollars in missing work." RVD says he's now taking the opportunity to educate people on World championship athletes "making the choice to consume cannabis ... because it's better for you than alcohol or cigarettes."

After Geraldo entered a discussion with his panel in studio, RVD was brought back to discuss the legal aspect of the issue because marijuana is considered an illegal substance. "If it was just about breaking the law, what if Michael Phelps was speeding or driving with his seatbelt off?," RVD asked. "It's not just about breaking the law. It's specifically about prejudice against cannabis based on ignorance because they know nothing about it."

Caldwell's Analysis: Watching this segment reminded me of why I don't watch "talking head" segments on FOX News, CNN, etc. Too many statements simply being thrown out like dodgeballs on a basketball court to keep up cross-talk chatter with a false sense of "educating the masses" behind it. RVD was articulate in getting his point across, while Rivera seemed distracted trying to get the wrestling lingo correct.

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