On April 11th, 2011, Edge, due to injury, was forced to retire from pro wrestling forever. And as stated in Goodbye, and Thank You, Edge, the announcement of his retirement was bittersweet. Nonetheless, as another wrestler that yours truly has grown with as they became a superstar (in Edge’s case, a Rated R Superstar), the memories will go on forever. From the early days on WWE Saturday Night Shotgun and WWE Velocity to of course, headlining Wrestlemania, there are plenty. As we celebrate the end of a great career for Adam Copeland, here is the Pondering 10 list of my favorite Edge career memories:
5. WWE No Mercy 1999 – A few years after Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels made the ladder match famous, the teams of Edge and Christian and the Hardy Boyz took the ladder match to a whole other level. A standard by which ladder matches are now compared, both teams risks life and limb to the point where it helped not only jump start the careers of both teams, but all four men. I will never forget the Gund Arena in Cleveland giving a stand ovation after the completion of the match.
4. Wrestlemania XVII – Tables. Ladders. Chairs. Two. That is what this match was billed as between the Dudleys, The Hardy Boyz, and Edge and Christian. In one of my favorite all time matches at Wrestlemania, all three teams tore down the Astrodome. However, the shining moment came when Edge delivered a spot that will always be talked about in ladder matches for ever (see: video above).
3. Edge vs. John Cena – During a period where Cena was being forced down the throats of pro wrestling fans, the feud between Edge and Cena, which lasted for a few years, was refreshing and very entertaining. And to be honest, at the time, it was some of Edge’s best work in his career. The feud saw great mic work by both men, and even better matches. A feud that helped elevate both men.
2. Wrestlemania XXII – Mick Foley, the legendary hardcore icon that he is, and one of Edge’s greatest moments in his career. I’ll let the video do the justice.
1. Edge Wins WWE Title – At New Year’s Revolution 2006, Edge finally solidified his main event status, and like he said during his retirement speech, “proved Vince right”, that he was capable of being a top guy. Edge cashed in his “Money In the Bank” Briefcase and shocked the world by becoming WWE champion for the first time. Bar none, my favorite Edge moment.