Top 10 Stories Of 2020: Edge Returns

Throughout December, Neal Wagner will count down the top 10 stories of 2020 as voted on by The Wrestling Estate staff. Here is No. 8: Edge returns.

The setting was Minute Maid Park in Houston. during the 2020 Royal Rumble Match. In the ring were AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntrye and Karl Anderson. The #21 entrant of the 2020 Royal Rumble was ready to enter as the clock counted down.

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The crowd began to chant along to the countdown.

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The anticipation builds.

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The wrestlers begin to collect into the far corner of the ring.

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“Who’s it going to be?” asked Michael Cole.

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BBBBUUUUUZZZZZZZZZZ

“YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME”

Edge returns! The crowd exploded as “The Rated R Superstar” burst out of the dugout, marking his first time in active competition in 9 years. He lasted 23 minutes and 43 seconds in the Rumble.

His last match was back in 2011 at WrestleMania 27 against Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. Even though he retained the title that night, the storyline was left open enough that the audience knew it wasn’t over yet. It would quickly close on the April 11th episode of Raw, when Edge announced his retirement in the middle of the ring citing multiple issues with previous neck injuries.

Edge broke his neck back in 2003 and revealed during his retirement speech that he knew he was on “borrowed time.” He began losing feeling in his arms and hands and got checked out by WWE medical personnel. He was informed that it was best to retire before taking one bump too many and ending up in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He thanked Jim Ross (for signing him), Vince McMahon (for giving him the opportunity), Christian (for being his friend of 27 years) and the fans for believing in him and giving him the ability to live out his dream that started after he saw WrestleMania VI live from the Toronto SkyDome.

Edge had a few returns during retirement. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. He and Christian launched their own podcast and comedy show on the WWE Network. He also took on a few Hollywood roles. But it was an appearance on the SummerSlam 2019 pre-show that got people buzzing. He speared Elias, immediately spawning rumors that Edge was looking to get cleared for a return. Of course, he denied all reports.

“Edge returns” was heavily hyped the night after the Royal Rumble. Randy Orton would come out to the ring, welcoming him home. He would put Edge over as the man who steered him straight when Orton was “a stupid and naïve 24-year old.” Randy asked Edge about trying to reunite Team Rated RKO. Before Edge could answer, he was met with a RKO. He would take Edge out of action for multiple weeks as now their “Road to WrestleMania” was now set.

Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix would appear on Raw to update the crowd on her husband’s condition. She was confronted by Orton who would explain his actions by saying that he did it because he figured someone “young and hungry looking to make their name off her husband’s legacy” would take him out first. She could have her husband and their children could have their father home. Orton took Edge out in order to save their personal lives because Edge needed to put his professional life behind him. Beth would slap Orton out of response, only to be met with an RKO.

The stakes were raised even higher as the match was declared Last Man Standing. It was far different than what fans anticipated largely due to WrestleMania 36 being moved to the WWE Performance Center. The first 30 seconds of the match was actually fought in the ring. The next 36 minutes went all over the building, which drew the ire of many fans feeling the match dragged and went way too long. Edge won after a Conchairto on top of a semi-truck.

Edge wouldn’t appear again on WWE TV again until May. He would do an in-ring promo with Orton where a rematch would be made for the following month’s Backlash and it would be billed as “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever.” The match was presented as a live presentation that was actually filmed a week in advance and edited slightly. It was reported done in one take, but Vince McMahon decided to run through a few small spots to re-do. It was said that during one of these re-done spots is when Edge tore his triceps. Randy Orton won and spent the next night on Raw acknowledging Edge’s injury and how he likely won’t be seen from again. WWE reported on July 15 that Edge had undergone successful surgery and is currently rehabbing at home.

No word on when Edge may return at this time, but hopefully he’ll make it on the Road to WrestleMania 37.