Edge announces retirement

gimmick

EDGE RETIRES
By Mike Johnson on 2011-04-11 22:18:53
For those who are wondering, the Edge retirement speech was 100% legitimate and real. We were told by a company source earlier this evening that when the major announcement was made tonight, it was not an angle and not storyline.

The story that Edge told about medical tests coming back and showing there was a new issue with his neck and being advised he must retire are true. He was basically handed a mic and told to go out and say goodbye however he wanted.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/edge-announcement

Well this is what WWE did not need. At a time when they are missing genuine main event stars, one of their best has to retire.

Fair play to Edge for showing sense and stepping down. Others (Dynamite Kid comes to mind immediately) ignored such advise, and look where he is now.

I presume WWE will have a full time on air role for Edge anyway be it as a manger, commentator or whatever.

D-FENS

This is truly horrible, one of my favorite wrestlers of all time, been a fan of the character ever since the first promo videos WWF showed in '98 to promote his debut, but the wrestler has far surpassed all expectations since then, from the E & C years, to finally winning the world title after winning the first MITB (still the best and most shocking MITB cash in) to one of the cornerstones of modern day WWE.

Seen a few reports the last month or so they he had been thinking about it, but only before 'mania didn’t he say he hoped for another 5 years or so? Guess the news since then was what he must have suspected for a while.
I'm gutted, but as you say Gimmick, better to be sensible and not end up in a wheelchair. Also very grateful to have seen him wrestle 4 or 5 times I believe.

And as Christian has come out and said on Twitter, best to just remember the good times - the 31 major titles, the two MITB's, the KOTR and finally the Rumble last year, and look forward to his friend inducting him in the Hall of Fame someday

Angron

It was so sudden, I really didn't see this coming. I thought Edge would be around for a few years more But better to go out before he does some serious damage to himself. Maybe this will get WWE to push Christian as a World Champ now, cause they will need some more main-eventers now.

SilverFox261

Its a really sad way for his career to end, especially so suddenly, but better he end it this way and keep his than ignoring medical advice and doing serious damage to himself. He has nothing left to prove considering he was probably the best, most consistent heel character the WWE produced over the last 10 years.

And while he has to retire from in ring activity, he can still give one of the best promo's in WWE. When he has come to terms with his retirement, I hope we see him back in some form either as a commentator or as a manager for a group of new stars.

Cianan2

So no Edge v Christian feud then

parker kent

In fairness, this has been coming for years and Edge has been saying it too.

Sad though, he was one of my personal favourites down through the years.

jaykhunter

*RAW SPOILER* Edges Future
Future retirements in the WWE

Between these two new threads, I'm glad I checked here before watching RAW, I was afraid of spoilers

dlofnep

It came completely out of nowhere. Such a shame. Edge was always a solid performer.

thebostoncrab

Hulk Hogan posted this on Twitter:

if any of the guys like me,Flair,Hardy,Andre,AA,Blanchard,orndoff,Henning would have listened to doctors we would have quit15yrsago

but I don't know Edges working environment because they are a media company not a wrestling company. HH wrestlers work hurt!

A massive, massive **** you Hulk Hogan. The fact that Edge has told Hogan so many time that he is the reason he became a wrestler, then when he is forced to stop doing what he loves and you **** all over him? **** you.

dlofnep

There's a reason why you can barely walk now Hogan!

Angron

Bad back or not, Hogan should have retired a long time ago.

gimmick

We have a mega HHH bashing thread. Half tempted to satrt a Hogan one. He really is a worthless idiot.

parker kent

Hogan is far more deserving of a bashing thread than Old Big Nose.

krudler

thebostoncrab wrote: »

Hulk Hogan posted this on Twitter:



A massive, massive **** you Hulk Hogan. The fact that Edge has told Hogan so many time that he is the reason he became a wrestler, then when he is forced to stop doing what he loves and you **** all over him? **** you.

What an absolutely scumbag comment, hasnt what happened people like Benoit, Dynamite Kid, and all those guys who died of painkiller addictions over the years shown that wrestlers SHOULDN'T work hurt? They do it because if they dont their spot will be taken, and wind up downing pain pills to work through injuries and cutting years off their lives. Edge is doing the sensible thing and leaving the business he loves for his own health or before he gets paralysed in the ring. Fcuk you Hogan.

Handsome Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99FxcIfGumY

Turtyturd

Was never really a big fan of Edge but it says a lot when he stole a guys girlfriend and came out it looking better than the victim . Glad to see him walk away while he is able to.

Hopefully he doesn't get lured back in a few years down the line although as has been mentioned he will most likely remain on screen, anonymous GM perhaps, don't even attempt to remember his attempts to find out who it was.

scon86

thebostoncrab wrote: »

Hulk Hogan posted this on Twitter:

A massive, massive **** you Hulk Hogan. The fact that Edge has told Hogan so many time that he is the reason he became a wrestler, then when he is forced to stop doing what he loves and you **** all over him? **** you.

Hogan is a money grabing **** that should have given up 15years ago along with Flair. Also some of the wrestlers he names have passed away. And hardy is a ****ing joke no were near the wrestler the rated R superstar is. I HATE HOGAN

starviewadams

Will really miss Edge,always been a big fan of his,his edgehead t-shirt was the first wrestling t-shirt I ever bought!Great wrestler and even better on the mic,was just starting to get really over as a face too,such a shame his career is over but fair play to him for being sensible about it.

Edge went out with humility,class and dignity,I doubt Hulk Hogan even knows the meaning of those words.

Also am very glad that I got to see him wrestle live and meet him in person in Dublin at the SD! show last year!

parker kent

Whilst it has been mentioned in Power Slam and other sources for a while, once Edge gave this speech we should have been prepared for it to happen. It shouldn't really be seen as a shock or out of the blue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Rlc1B-sn8

His news from the doctor came out of the blue alright, but it is not the most shocking news ever.

SlickRic

thank you Edge.

fúck you Hogan.

Degag

What terrible comments from Hogan. After the career that wrestling has afforded him and the sheer ammount of people he has seen dead because of it, you would think he would know better. Then again, from anyone who has watched even one episode of "Hogan/Brooke Knows Best" it's so evident of what an idiot he is.

Machismo Fan

It saddens me that people have made this thread more about something Hogan said rather than paying tribute to Edge. Edge has been one of the most consistently entertaining people over the last ten years. No matter what he was doing, goofy or serious, he made it work and entertaining. It'll be a huge loss to WWE and Smackdown but his health is much more important. Most certainly he'll be in the Hall of Fame sooner rather than later and I can't think of too many people more deserving.

gimmick

^ Fair point.

I never ever warmed to Edge as a face. Never worked. He was always a far better heel and was arguably the companies top heel from 2006-2009.

You are right, he has done it all, from the idiotic role in Edge & Christain, to the psycho heel of more recent times.

Just a shame that most of his World title reigns were quite unmemorable.

krudler

gimmick wrote: »

^ Fair point.

I never ever warmed to Edge as a face. Never worked. He was always a far better heel and was arguably the companies top heel from 2006-2009.

You are right, he has done it all, from the idiotic role in Edge & Christain, to the psycho heel of more recent times.

Just a shame that most of his World title reigns were quite unmemorable.

This really, nearly all of his titles reigns were gotten from nefarious means or screwing people over, I know he's a heel but a few lenghty runs or clean wins (I havent been watching it much over the past 2 years so may not be right with that) would have been good, he always seemed to either get injured or drop the title not long after getting it, says a lot when he was catching up on Triples H's title runs when he only won his first one in late 2006.

He'll definitely be missed, was the best thing on Smackdown for ages and his Rated R person was fantastic at the beginning, I still have his Sex and Violence tshirt, my fave wrestling tshirt ever.

Jazzy

oh Hogan..... such a massive jackass.

but however, good man edge

PTH2009

Hope Edge doeset do a ric flair and head to TNA. They will probly call him Adam The Rocker Copeland or something stupied like that lol

theZomboid

yeah this truly does suck. bummer to hear about edge. the WWE is hard up for actual decent talent. the new guys like the Miz and Del Rio are great heels but man do they suck as actual wrestlers. i think they have maybe ten moves between them. the days of versatile superstars is looking to be very dodgy.

but this really sucks. i liked edge. had a look at some of the past footage of himself and christian as tag team and man they were just awesome in the ring.

Nody

theZomboid wrote: »

yeah this truly does suck. bummer to hear about edge. the WWE is hard up for actual decent talent. the new guys like the Miz and Del Rio are great heels but man do they suck as actual wrestlers. i think they have maybe ten moves between them. the days of versatile superstars is looking to be very dodgy.
but this really sucks. i liked edge. had a look at some of the past footage of himself and christian as tag team and man they were just awesome in the ring.

They have them but refuse to push them (Daniel Bryan is a classic example)

JP Liz V1

Cianan2 wrote: »

So no Edge v Christian feud then

It should have happened when it was teased last year it had so much potential

Anyways teary eyed over Edge retiring one of the greats a huge loss for WWE imo, he really was finally over huge as a face this time around even though he was awesome also as a heel

Hopefully Christian gets a push now on SD would love to see Edge raising Christian's hand as world champion

I hope Edge gets a good send off on SD this week




THANK YOU EDGE

rossie1977

theZomboid wrote: »

yeah this truly does suck. bummer to hear about edge. the WWE is hard up for actual decent talent. the new guys like the Miz and Del Rio are great heels but man do they suck as actual wrestlers. i think they have maybe ten moves between them. the days of versatile .

what?? del rio is one of the best true hw workers to come along to wwe in years, this is a 6'4 230lb guy doing kicks you see the junior heavyweights doing, miz in-ring has improved massively since he started

anyway on edge i never bought him as a face, as a heel he was terrific, how many wrestlers is that now that worked for ecw/attitude era wwf that are now retired or dead, the last remaining guys that are still working today from that era are banged up pretty bad save maybe chris jericho

Lord TSC

Maybe it's because it came (relativly) out of nowhere. Maybe it's cause he's so young. Maybe I'm in denial. But I simply don't believe this is the last we've seen of Edge. I don't know if it will be a once off return at a Mania, a GM role or even a move to somewhere like TNA for a lighter schedule. But I simply refuse to belief he's gone gone.

partyndbs

never say never in pro wrestling...ever

JP Liz V1

Now all tweets are disrespectful and tasteless like Hogan's

Chris Jericho:
"Edge is a great performer and 1 of my favorite opponents. He's also got an incredible MIND for the business. Congrats on an amazing career"

Shawn Michaels:
"Have had contact w/Edge & he is looking 4ward 2what the future holds. It will b great, good things happen 2 good people & he is just that."

Jim Ross:
"Edge will always be one of my favorites. I'm so grateful I was in a role to help him launch his wwe dream. Dreams do come true. Edge=HOF!"
"@ LGA to head home. Another airport meal. Gonna miss Edge. Have 2 think WWE will utilize Edge's mind & teaching abilities. Great integrity."

GTR63

Was just watching Smackdown there.I noticed Edge was holding his neck when he speared that fat lad that goes around with Del Rio. Wonder how long this neck has been troubling him to the point he's numbness in his arms.

IsThisIt???

He may have seen doctors before hand but it must have been between last Tuesdays Smackdown and Raw that he was told he was finished or else they surely wouldn't have had Del Rio beat Christian for the no.1 contenders.

Always loved Edge. With him, HBK, Batista and Hardy all going in the last few years along with Jericho (actually don't really know his story atm) and Undertaker (practically retired now) WWE are gonna be really stuck for main eventers!

Manic087

I only looked online when I got home this evening to the shock news (well to me anyway) that Edge has retired. I'd love him to continue in some way in WWE (GM, announcer cos he certainly has the talent for it). I wish him the best of luck in the future for everything anyway. One of the most consistent talents in the WWE for years.

parker kent

GTR63 wrote: »

Was just watching Smackdown there.I noticed Edge was holding his neck when he speared that fat lad that goes around with Del Rio. Wonder how long this neck has been troubling him to the point he's numbness in his arms.

His body has been falling apart for a while now. That's why he cut that promo in Canada. He hasn't wrestled a whole lot in 2011 so he must have been suffering.

gimmick

Great emotional promo from Edge.

The walk backstage was nice as well that it was shown him hugging even with the heels especially Diggler who he seemed to embrace more that the others.

JP Liz V1

gimmick wrote: »

Great emotional promo from Edge.

The walk backstage was nice as well that it was shown him hugging even with the heels especially Diggler who he seemed to embrace more that the others.

And quite a few divas he was popular with the ladies

Looking forward to seeing him get a good send off on SD hopefully Jericho might even show up

ayatollah

LZ5by5 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99FxcIfGumY

god jesus thats brilliant - i miss shawn.

jaykhunter

Honestly I'm not that sad to see Edge go - I really think he needed time off as he's been pretty off-form since he returned far too early at RR2010. He's been going full-throttle since 2005 in the main event scene so his departure only opens up a spot.

I don't believe this is the end, I imagine he'll rehab etc but I can't see him not returning for a quick stint, possibly at Mania (maybe not 2012, but 2013 etc)... It's like hotel California in the WWE*.

I'm more gloomy that we never got a proper E&C reunion, run as tag champs/doing funny backstage stuff and a heel turn/feud/elevate Christian.

Edge on form is absolute gold. WWE really tried getting him over for so long (he wasn't over from 2001-2004, shaving Angle etc) and has Matt Hardy/Lita to thank for his ascention to main event status. He really took the ball in 2005 and ran with it, despite Cena never really putting him over.

It's kinda sad that he never had a defining run as champion, but I'm sure he'll take the most # of championships ever in WWE (aka ultimate opportunist) instead.

I'm glad he's bowing out while he's still relatively healthy. I'm sure right now isn't how he wanted to go out.

Take some time off, but see you down the road, mate.

(*you can check out, but you can never leave)

JP Liz V1

After getting some criticism for his original comments about Edge, Hogan clarified what he said in some more tweets.

"I'm not saying anything bad about Edge but he's a real wrestler, Stone Cold and Cena had neck surgery and u couldn't stop em, Or Edge it's in Edges blood,he lives for this business he's a real wrestler,he a lifer,he's one of the real boys,he's hard to hold down,that's all."

Mr.Nice Guy

I'm shocked and saddened at this news. What a remarkable career it has been for Edge who, in my opinion, ranks up there as one of the very best heels of the modern era.

When I think of Edge's career and his defining moments, for me it's not cashing in Money in the Bank contracts, or the live sex celebrations, or any of the other gimmick moments that stand out for others. For me what stands out are two PPV events in Canada and the Raw shows that followed them.

One of those moments was Summerslam 2004 when he wrestled a triple threat match for the IC belt against Jericho and Batista. The match was taking place in Toronto, Edge's home town, and Edge was in the midst of his babyface run with the belt. I was not a great fan of Edge as a babyface in this period ever since he had split from Christian, and the Toronto crowd, who tend to give faces a tough time, completely turned on Edge and were cheering loudly for Jericho. It must have been a humiliating and hurtful experience for Edge hearing his own people booing him. He won the match but it must have been a very bittersweet feeling. That moment I believe was highly significant because if I'm not mistaken, the very next night on Raw, Edge debuted with the Alter Bridge 'Metalingus' theme and was about to embark on his mega successful run as a heel that would ultimately elevate him all the way to the main event level where he never looked back.

Fast-forward then two years later to Unforgiven 2006, and a match Edge had against John Cena, a TLC encounter that many called one of the best matches of the year. The location was back where it all started - Toronto. This time however the crowd were not booing Edge. This time they were going absolutely crazy for him and if you watch the beginning of the match, at the announcements, you can see how emotional it was for him. Look closely and you can see Cena give a nod to Edge, obviously understanding the importance to him. I've always wondered if Edge at that moment was thinking back to two years previously when his own fans had booed him out of the building and whether he felt a sense of vindication.

Again the following night was highly significant, at least for showing what a great pro Edge was. Because if memory serves me right the show was in Quebec, and Edge came out to the ring to another massive reception. This time however there would be no emotion. Edge proceeded to rip on the crowd and claimed they weren't true Canadians. It was a masterclass heel performance and in two minutes Edge turned a crowd that loved him into one that wanted to see John Cena of all people beat him up. That was the class that he possessed. Edge often said he never wanted to be the cool heel that fans would lap up. He wasn't a Hollywood Rock type heel or an NWO type heel. Edge wanted to be hated. He had that old school mentality and presented himself as a complete slimeball and made the fans genuinely dislike him.

I feel now Edge is leaving on top. As I said I never liked his initial babyface run but I have liked it much more in recent years. I felt last year, as Jericho has since said too, that they killed off his face run too early. Thankfully they tried again and I felt it was working. He was one of the guys that made Smackdown worth watching. He finishes his career as a fan favourite and has come full circle.

Last night you could see how much he meant to the fans. You can't manufacture that kind of respect. It was an emotional and heartfelt speech from a guy who has paid his dues and worked his way up the ladder (sometimes literally up a ladder). It prompted yours truly to get out of bed at around 3 in the morning and give a standing ovation to my television set. I will miss Edge a lot. Thank you, Edge.

flahavaj

Edge and Edwin van der Sar. Two great men who will this year leave their respective professions at the absolute pinnacle of their professions, with their health intact and the respect and praise of their fans and peers ringing in their ears.

Wise, wise men.

Edge just saved himself a horrible RIP thread in a few years time.

citytillidie

Met Edge at a bar in Belfast sounds bloke and had a laugh as i went to get picture taken on camera and batteries died, he just said ahh well not your night and got me a pint instead.

Mr. Guappa

My biggest mark out moment was when Edge cashed in his MITB at New Year's Revolution 2006 to win his first WWE Title. He was probably the first guy who I had followed all the way up the card (Michaels was just reaching the top when I started watching). That heel run for the next 3 years featured some epic moments, as others mentioned he played the loathsome heel magnificently. His babyface run opposite Jericho was a letdown but I felt he was really hitting his stride as a babyface since the turn of the year.

It's so refreshing to see a guy going out on top and with his health intact - thanks for the memories Edge.

SantryRed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyoinNa_SGc

Best memory of Edge by far.

Furious-Red

Probably my favourite moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFLMmSRocwQ

Just when you think you know him :pac:


I'm glad he retired. He truly is/was one of the most amazing wrestlers in the business. His heel work in particular was amazing, and I believe his Live Sex Celebration remains one of, if not the, highest rated RAW moments?

I loved the goofy stuff that they did with him and Christian;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S6VhR3_nZ4

Long live the stream!

Best of luck Edge. I'm sure we'll see plenty more of him. I reckon he's gonna hit some other profession. With his excellent mic abilities, I'd assume he'll be a hollywood star at some point in future.

CMpunked

.

Bret Hart posted the following on his official Twitter page regarding Edge's recent retirement: "I remember training w/ both Edge & Christian in a ring @ my house back in '97 & he'll always be one of my guys. Such an abrupt end to a great career saddens the entire wrestling world. Cheers to the rated-R Superstar."

The following WWE stars have posted the following on Twitter in response to Edge's WWE retirement:

Randy Orton wrote: "Will miss Edge not only in ring, but in the locker room even more. He was one of the few who I could call a friend. I learned a lot from him."

Zack Ryder wrote: "Thank you, Edge. You will be missed. Without you there would be no Zack Ryder. I'll always be an Edgehead. Love you man."

Christian wrote: I've shed my tears...and from here on out I choose to celebrate one of the greatest careers in WWE history. Can't wait to induct you in the (Hall of Fame)."

CMpunked

more tweets:

Percy Pringle: "Wishing Edge the very best. What a outstanding gentleman and friend, notwithstanding a fine athlete and performer."

Samoa Joe: "A Little late but I just heard about Edge's Retirement. Good People, GREAT wrestler, and will sorely be missed in the ring."

Tommy Dreamer: "My motto has always been I wrestle every single match like it is my last, cause 1 day I know it will b. Thanks Edge 4 everything u hav done"

Kurt Angle: "It's sad to see my friend Edge Retire from WWE. Edge was one of the Best. Your Fans will miss You dearly. I know I will. Luv u Edge!!!!"

Charlie Haas: "EDGE will be missed. It was an honor to share the ring with him, and compete against him. Truly one of the best. Stay in touch Edger"