Is Edge heading to AEW? Why is Edge Retiring?
by Indhu | Updated Aug 21, 2023
Is Edge Heading to AEW?
With no official announcement yet, the wrestling world anticipates Edge's next move and whether he'll venture into All Elite Wrestling. The future of WWE legend Edge is shrouded in uncertainty as his current WWE contract nears its end.
Edge's imminent match against Sheamus on SmackDown is set to mark the conclusion of his existing deal, and the wrestling community is buzzing with speculation about his next move. In a recent interview, Edge admitted that he truly doesn't know what his future holds and that he won't have a clear picture until he decompresses after the match.
Rumors about Edge's potential retirement gained traction after his trainer Ron Hutchinson hinted that he might retire following his bout with Sheamus. However, Edge neither confirmed nor denied the retirement rumors.
Interestingly, around the same time last year, Edge hinted that he might consider retiring around SummerSlam 2023, which came and went without his appearance.
Amid this uncertainty, Edge has three apparent options: signing a final WWE deal, retiring from in-ring competition, or making a surprising move to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The notion of Edge leaving WWE for AEW has sparked discussions within the wrestling community.
While it might seem unlikely that Edge would leave WWE, given his legendary status, it's worth noting that other high-profile WWE names have ventured to AEW with varying degrees of success.
The idea of Edge joining AEW becomes more intriguing considering his prior interactions with the promotion. Before his remarkable return to WWE in 2020, Edge reportedly had discussions with AEW about joining their roster.
Ultimately, he opted for a three-year deal with WWE that featured a limited workload and saw him win the Royal Rumble and headline WrestleMania once again.
The potential for Edge to thrive in AEW, however, raises questions. While some ex-WWE stars have found great success in AEW, others have experienced more modest results.
Edge's stature in the wrestling world could set him apart from other transplants, and reports suggest that he and his former tag team partner Christian Cage, who is currently in AEW, are interested in reuniting for one last run before retiring.
As time ticks away, the prospect of an Edge and Christian reunion in WWE remains possible. Still, AEW could offer the ideal platform for their final partnership, potentially against familiar adversaries like The Hardys or Edge's friends FTR, who trained with him before his 2020 comeback.
Considering Edge's recent statement that he believes he has roughly a year of elite-level performance left, the signs seem to point toward AEW as a potential destination for the latter stages of his storied wrestling career.
While no official decision has been announced, the wrestling world eagerly awaits Edge's next move and whether he will indeed embark on a new journey in the realm of All Elite Wrestling.
Why is Edge Retiring?
For several months, there has been persistent speculation about Edge's impending retirement from professional wrestling. Last year, in an interview, the esteemed wrestler expressed his wish to retire in his hometown of Toronto, Canada. With the current week's SmackDown event taking place in Toronto, a global audience is poised to witness what could potentially be Edge's farewell match.
During the preceding week's Friday Night SmackDown, Edge disclosed that he would face Sheamus in a match scheduled for the Toronto show. This announcement led many to speculate that this bout might serve as the platform for Edge to declare his retirement.
Adding to this anticipation, Edge's trainer recently asserted that the upcoming match in Toronto would be the iconic Hall of Famer's final match, and he would announce his retirement on that occasion.
However, according to a recent update from the Wrestling Observer, there is a possibility that Edge could announce his retirement directly on SmackDown. The report outlines that if Edge is indeed aiming to retire in Toronto, waiting for WWE to return to that location might involve a considerable time frame.
Therefore, the report suggests that this SmackDown match could potentially mark Edge's final appearance in WWE, aligning with his wish to conclude his wrestling career on his own terms.
Who is Edge?
Adam Joseph Copeland, born on October 30, 1973, is a prominent Canadian professional wrestler and actor known by his ring name Edge. Presently affiliated with WWE, he is an active performer on the Smackdown brand.
Celebrated as one of the most distinguished figures in the realm of professional wrestling, he has accumulated an impressive tally of 31 championship victories throughout his WWE career.
Commencing his journey in the wrestling world in 1992, Copeland engaged in various independent wrestling promotions, participating in both singles and tag-team competitions, the latter of which he formed with his longtime friend Christian Cage.
He briefly appeared as Damon Striker in two matches on WCW Pro in early 1996. Subsequently, in 1997, he secured a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and made his televised debut in 1998, adopting the moniker Edge.
Following his triumph in capturing the WWF Intercontinental Championship in 1999, Edge partnered with Christian to establish a formidable tag team. Their collaborative efforts yielded a remarkable seven World Tag Team Championship victories and a distinctive presence in Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. Notably, their teamwork was pivotal in reinvigorating tag team wrestling during the Attitude Era.
Parting ways with Christian in 2001, Edge embarked on a highly successful solo journey. His wrestling prowess saw him amass an unparalleled collection of championships within WWE, totaling 31.
These include seven reigns as the World Heavyweight Champion, four WWE Championship reigns, five Intercontinental Championship victories, one United States Championship win, 12 World Tag Team Championship triumphs (a record), and two WWE Tag Team Championship conquests.
He stands as the 14th Triple Crown Champion and the 7th Grand Slam Champion in WWE history. Notably, he achieved a historic feat by winning the 2001 King of the Ring tournament, the inaugural 2005 Money in the Bank ladder match, and the 2010 Royal Rumble match, becoming the first wrestler to accomplish all three honors.
Specification
Details
Born
Adam Joseph Copeland
Date of Birth
October 30, 1973 (age 49)
Birthplace
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Occupations
Professional wrestler, actor
Years Active (Wrestling)
1992–2011, 2020–present
Years Active (Acting)
2011–present
Spouses
Alannah Morley (2001–2004, divorced)
Lisa Ortiz (2004–2005, divorced)
Beth Phoenix (m. 2016)
Children
2
Height
6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight
241 lb (109 kg)
Hometown
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Beyond his wrestling career, Copeland has ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Highlander: Endgame and Bending the Rules. He has made guest appearances on television shows like Weakest Link, Mind of Mencia, Deal or No Deal, MADtv, and The Flash.
Notable television roles include portraying Dwight Hendrickson in the Syfy series Haven (2011–2015) and Ketill Flatnose in Vikings (2017–2020). He is also set to portray Ares in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Why is Edge Out of WWE?
Edge's first retirement in 2011 resulted from several neck injuries, and he was subsequently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the subsequent year. Remarkably, after a hiatus of nine years, he made a triumphant return to wrestling by unexpectedly entering the 2020 Royal Rumble match, followed by his victory in the next year's Royal Rumble.
This achievement positioned him as the eighth individual to win the Royal Rumble twice, the third to win it as the first entrant, and the first to do so post-induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Notably, Edge has also headlined numerous WWE pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania XXIV and WrestleMania 37, solidifying his stature as one of the company's most prolific PPV performers.
Edge's current contract with WWE is approaching its expiration date in September 2023. This has fueled speculation about his future with the company. As of now, Edge has not signed a new contract with WWE, leaving room for uncertainty about his next career move.
It is worth noting that his contract situation aligns with the possibility of him considering other options beyond WWE.
Intriguingly, there could be multiple factors contributing to Edge's current situation. One key factor could be his health. Throughout his career, Edge has grappled with a history of significant neck injuries, which have impacted his ability to perform consistently in the ring.
It's plausible that he might be facing yet another injury concern, potentially necessitating time off to recover and evaluate the state of his physical well-being.
Another element in the mix is the potential for retirement. While Edge himself hasn't definitively confirmed these rumors, there has been talk within wrestling circles that he might be contemplating retirement from the sport after his current contract concludes.
This notion is underscored by recent statements from Edge in which he mentioned that he is "thinking about the future" and expressed uncertainty about what lies ahead for him. Such sentiments could be interpreted as signs of him contemplating a transition away from in-ring competition.
As Edge's contract expiration looms and these various factors intertwine, the wrestling community is left speculating about his next move. The combination of contract negotiations, potential injury concerns, and the possibility of retirement forms a backdrop of uncertainty around Edge's future within WWE and the broader wrestling landscape.
Wrestling enthusiasts and fans of Edge will likely be keenly attuned to any official announcements or statements from Edge himself or WWE regarding his decision regarding his contract, health, and potential retirement plans.
Is Edge heading to AEW? - FAQs
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding Edge's move to AEW (All Elite Wrestling).
There has been ongoing speculation about Edge's retirement from professional wrestling. The anticipation grew after his trainer hinted at a potential retirement following his match with Sheamus. However, Edge has not confirmed or denied these retirement rumors.
Edge, whose real name is Adam Joseph Copeland, is a distinguished Canadian professional wrestler and actor. He has had a remarkable wrestling career, winning 31 championships in WWE.
Edge's current WWE contract is nearing its expiration in September 2023. While there is no official confirmation, several factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Edge's options include signing a final WWE deal, considering retirement from in-ring competition, or potentially joining AEW.