The Rated R Era Comes to a Sudden End: Adam “Edge” Copeland Retires

No one could have imagined that it would happen this week.  No one could believe that it was happening right in front of their eyes on Monday Night Raw.  When Josh Matthews announced that Edge would be on Raw to give what would be his retirement speech, everybody thought it was just another wrestling angle.  In all truth of the matter, it is 100% real.  As of Monday, April 11^th, Canadian-born Adam “Edge” Copeland has retired from the WWE due to life-threatening injuries.

There have been talk for the last couple months that Edge would retire in the next couple years, but nobody thought this soon.  Nobody could have seen it coming.  Just a little more than a year ago, Edge had returned from a torn Achilles tendon that took him for about half of 2009.  So to say the announcement of Edge’s retirement was abrupt would be an understatement.   It completely blindsided everybody to the point that you just sat on in your chair in disbelief.  Edge’s farewell speech on both Raw and Smackdown were very heart-felt and emotional.  This is a man that put his very heart and soul into the wrestling business.  From the first few TLC matches and Money in the Bank Ladder matches, this man has truly revolutionized pro wrestling in a way that only a few men have done before.  Edge is one of the greatest heels of our time.  He has used his status to help other aspiring superstars such as Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder and create other heat magnets in Vickie Guerrero and Lita.  Starting from the tag team division with fellow Canadian and friend Christian, Edge’s rise to greatness has been well-defined in the annals of the WWE and pro wrestling.  Much like Shawn Michaels, Edge has undoubtedly stolen the show many a time.  You can depend on Edge to put on a great match, no matter how much pain he is.  There are very few WWE Superstars with a will and determination like Edge and it is sad to see him retire.  It is Edge retired now rather than see him take a big bump in a match and not get up.

In closing, as a big Edgehead it is very surreal to see Edge retire.  Personally, the feelings of sadness have not hit me yet.  I am glad he retired before being paralyzed or killed in the ring.  This retirement shows that in the wrestling business your career can end at anytime.  Even though with Edge gone, this gives all the younger superstars and a few ring veterans a chance to really step up to the main event scene in the WWE.  In my opinion, I do not believe Edge is done working with the WWE.  His time as an in-ring competitor is certainly over as reports have said he will never be medically cleared to compete again.  That does not leave the opportunity for Edge to return in a non-wrestling role such as being a part of WWE Creative, commentating or being a road agent for WWE.  There never has and there will never be another great wrestler much like Edge and we will never forget that.  Thank you, Adam “Edge” Copeland for everything you have done for us fans and the industry that we all love.  Goodbye for now and long live the memory of the Rated R Superstar!