Edgeucation - April 8, 2003

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

From WWE.com

 

Has it been a month already? This is my fourth installment of the Edgeucation of Adam Copeland. That's good. If the next 11 months can go this fast, I'm laughing.

We'll get by the boring stuff first. The neck actually hurt a bit this week. It reminded me I have six screws in my spine, that's for sure. I'm hoping it's just the bone fusing around the screws. But fear not, Edge Addicts (new one, whadya think?), I'll have more to tell you after my appointment with Dr. Lloyd Youngblood on April 16.

 

Last week I talked briefly about the surgery of Kurt Angle, and at the time, I was a little frustrated. In hindsight, though, I believe I made the right decision. This year off is just a break between my runs; my body needed it. When I come back, I want it to be on a long-term basis. I'm only 29 (I know I just lost all the teenage female demographic), I have so many years left in my tank. I'm worried this other surgery is a Band-Aid for a gunshot wound. Hope I'm wrong, and Kurt and I end up wrestling each other again next year -- healthy, and stronger than ever. Good luck, buddy. My prayers are with ya.

 

Now I'll answer what everyone seems to be asking in e-mails. What do I think of Goldberg in WWE? From a personal standpoint, I've never met him (although I did steal the spear from him), so I'll have to wait and see. From a business standpoint, I've always been a firm believer of endorsing what can help the company. If Goldberg put butts in the buckets and doesn't play power trips, great. Not just for him, but all of us.

 

That being said, I think he'll have to deal with some unfair criticisms. If this week's ratings don't jump, the Internet will heap blame on his shoulders. Maybe, or I could be wrong.

 

Here's my take on the current wrestling landscape. Growing up, I was (and still am) the superfan. I was there through thick and thin, and trust me, there were some thin attendances at times in the ol' Maple Leaf Gardens. The wrestling I was watching was great, but it was a downturn in the business. Whether it's a lack of disposable income, or just lack of the casual fans' interest, who really knows? It seems to me like all the naysayers are panicking. Why? Maybe because now there is such an emphasis put on this week-to-week barometer. To me (and trust me, once again, I could be wrong), wrestling has always been a cyclical business. I've always charted it by five to seven years. Strong for five to seven, down for five to seven.

 

I would take our talent roster now over the "Attitude" era roster (I was in both). Is it the writing? I don't think so (like I always say, people may think they can do the job, but don't knock it till ya try it). The business was hot when Mae Young gave birth to a hand. Need I say more? What would you prefer, Edge-Angle for 25 minutes or the hand birth?

Please tell me you answered Kurt and I!

 

I guess what I'm trying to get at is, let's stop being cynical and just have fun watching the product. I still do. I look to the positives, which to me, outweigh the negatives. Eventually, something or someone will cause a resurgence. Until then, enjoy some of the great wrestling we're getting.

 

OK, that was the Dennis Miller rant of the week out of the way.

 

Many readers have been wondering about some of my favorite matches and wrestlers growing up. Here goes.

 

Favorite wrestlers growing up:

 

Of course, the Hulkster.

 

I can't count how many of his matches I saw live growing up. Against Paul Orndorff, 75,000 fans at the CNE in Toronto; Warrior at SkyDome (little-known fact that Lance Storm was there as well); Savage, Earthquake, Kamala in a cage, all at Maple Leaf Gardens; Flair in Copps Coliseum (where I later wrestled my first WWE match); Mr. Perfect; the list goes on and on. All the TV matches. Saturday Night's Main Event; the Paul Orndorff Cage Match with the simultaneous landing; Cage Match vs. the Boss Man. I literally thought Terry Funk was going to kill Hogan one night. They had me fearing for Hulk's life. Classic stuff. The most fun month I've had in this business was teaming with him. The FleetCenter. Watching him walk to the ring to the classic "Real American," and winning the tag belts, is something I'll be able to watch 15 years from now and still smile at. The emotion from me that night was as real as it gets. I was a little kid again (my wife would argue I'm always a little kid).With Hulk it was always, "you come up with it, brother, whatever you want to do." That's because he knew I'd always take the heat! The only thing better than watching the Hulk-up from the apron would be feeding it. Maybe one day? I've gone from watching him in my old rocking chair, and playing with his action figures to going to his Christmas parties and Sea-Dooing together. Whoda thunk it?

 

Bret Hart

Loved everything about what he did in the ring. I actually got one chance to lock up with him, in his ring, in his home, before my WWE days, and once again it was a dream fulfilled. It was actually Bret who opened the door for me to WWE. Bret was another hero growing up. The Hitman vs. Mr. Perfect anytime (especially SummerSlam); vs. Rick Martel (Copps Coliseum); vs. Shawn Michaels, anytime they locked up it was magic; vs. Benoit (anytime); vs. Davey Boy Smith (SummerSlam, Philly bloodbath); vs. Dynamite Kid (Capital Center). Just awesome stuff. Could bring the best out of anyone. I wish I had a chance to work him. Would have loved to watch him and Kurt too. Now when we talk, it's about hockey, not wrestling, but once again, whoda thunk it?

 

Shawn Michaels

He just shaped and influenced so much of my style (which might be why we both have spinal fusions). The angle with Chris Jericho could have been used with at least 10 other guys in the locker room who were influenced that heavily by Shawn. I always knew when I saw him come to the ring, whether in the Rockers, or later alterations of the character, that I'd get my money's worth. This Royal Rumble at the FleetCenter, I found myself in a great hour-long conversation with Shawn and Ric Flair! I mean, come on, this was great, but I have to remind myself, hell, I'm a peer now, and I count all of these heroes growing up as friends. But still, whoda thunk it?!

 

Those have to be the top three, but there were so many more, like Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, Bob Orton, Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Jake Roberts, Barry Windham, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, and later on, from watching Stampede Wrestling, the beginning of the careers of Chris Benoit and Owen Hart.

 

You'll also notice a name kept appearing in the matches above: Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig. I find it sad that these kind of things are always written too late, but thankfully I got the chance to let Curt know how much he affected my career. I met Curt for the first time when I was about 14 or 15 at an autograph session in a video store somewhere in Toronto. I have the autographed poster to this day. He was actually cool to me, which of course made my year!

 

Fast-forward to 2002, and I got to the FleetCenter (again! Seems to be a recurring theme.) one day to see my name slotted up with the Perfect One! Now I was jacked. This was going to be fun. I wanted to get the old Mr. Perfect back. I told him the video store story (Christian verified, he was with me).

 

I even did his gum bit before we locked up. I caught him by surprise on that one. It took place on HEAT, and besides the DQ finish, I think we did it: we saw the flashes of the old Mr. P. He knew how much I respected him, and I think it excited him. He was on a very short list of guys I always wanted to work with, and I told him so. We had fun, and when we got back he really put me over. I'll never forget that. On the personal side, I never really knew him, which is too bad, but I won't forget that night in the FleetCenter.

 

Favorite matches:

Growing up there were so many. I already mentioned some above, but here are some more:

Flair vs. Steamboat, Chi-Town Rumble

Flair vs. Steamboat, Music City Showdown

Flair vs. Steamboat, New Orleans best-of-three falls

Savage vs. Steamboat, WrestleMania III

Savage vs. Tito Santana, Boston Garden

Savage vs. Bret, Saturday Night's Main Event

Hart Foundation vs. Rockers, SNME

Brainbusters vs. Rockers, SNME

Rockers vs. Orient Express, Royal Rumble

Hart Foundation vs. Brainbusters, SummerSlam

Owen vs. Bret, WrestleMania X

Shawn vs. Razor Ramon, WrestleMania X

Shawn vs. Razor, SummerSlam

Shawn vs. Marty Jannetty, Royal Rumble

Bret vs. 1-2-3 Kid, RAW

Bret vs. Shawn, WrestleMania XII

Bret vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, WrestleMania 13

 

If you have not seen these matches, shame on you, and go find them. Those are just some. I could sit here all day naming them!

 

Next week, I'll get to my personal favorite matches, opponents, partners, etc. Also, the people I'd like to wrestle when I come back. A little at a time though. Be patient, we have 11 more months of these Edgeucations.

 

So, as a little tip of the hat, until next week, you have been "Excellently Edge-a-cuted," BROTHER!

 

And there you have it. I'm really enjoying Edge's columns.

[Guest Downhome]

Edge has great taste there, about his favorite matches.

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

I don't think Marty vs Shawn at the Rumble is that great, especially compared to the alleged ***** 1993 MOTY from Raw (which sadly, I've never seen) that isn't even on his list. Maybe he made a mix up, or maybe as a Canadian like me he's never seen it.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

Wow, three WCW matches and fourteen WWF matches. Really diverse group of faves you got there Edge. Those are all really good matches, though, and at least he didn't say "HHH vs Austin" or "Rock vs Undertaker" and decided to put some actual wrestling matches down.

 

This makes me truly wonder if WWE stars aren't allowed to mention Japan, ECW, indies etc. as favorite matches. You're telling me that Edge doesn't have any favorites from the areas I mentioned above? I pity him if that's the case, he's missing out on some good stuff.

[Guest Downhome]

I don't think Marty vs Shawn at the Rumble is that great, especially compared to the alleged ***** 1993 MOTY from Raw (which sadly, I've never seen) that isn't even on his list. Maybe he made a mix up, or maybe as a Canadian like me he's never seen it.

Well I'm sure he couldn't list ALL of his favorite matches, heh. I know I couldn't. Still, what he has there shows that he does have good taste. I have one objection however...

 

...no Puroresu, really old school, or Tiger Mask/Dynamite Kid!!!!!!!

[Guest Downhome]

Wow, three WCW matches and fourteen WWF matches. Really diverse group of faves you got there Edge. Those are all really good matches, though, and at least he didn't say "HHH vs Austin" or "Rock vs Undertaker" and decided to put some actual wrestling matches down.

 

This makes me truly wonder if WWE stars aren't allowed to mention Japan, ECW, indies etc. as favorite matches. You're telling me that Edge doesn't have any favorites from the areas I mentioned above? I pity him if that's the case, he's missing out on some good stuff.

For one of the first times ever...

 

...we agree.

 

I hope that when Edge returns, he's sort of "shaken up". Meaning his character, move set, just everything. He really needs a type of change.

[Guest bob_barron]

Edge was a DBS mark! Awesome- Edge kicks ass

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

When Edge returns we should see a total 180 degree change in character. He should be a heel, better built (most wwe guys who go on injury leave seem to come back looking a little bigger then when they left) and a strong moveset.

[Garth 0]

Edges columns are pretty damn good, i'm already looking forward 2 the next one.

[Guest Sakura]

Ugh. The "business is just in a down turn", "stop being so cynical and just enjoy the product" company line BS. Lame.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I cringed when I heard that too. I like Edge, I like his commentaries, I like the fact that he takes time to communicate with his fans, but he should stop with the insulting company-line; it takes away from his "i'm a fan too" philo. and makes him sound more like Linda McMahon.

 

Edge needs him some All Japan tapes - that should fix his goofy moveset good.

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

Damn Edge actually seems liek a pretty cool guy. Atleast he didn't name that barn burning Austin/Taker match from last year's Backlash as one his favorites.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

*reads*

 

*reads*

 

*reads*

 

HO-LEE SHIT.

 

He didn't name a single Taker match. I thought that was, like, law or something. I believe it's #7 in the Charter, "Always pimp Locker-room leader in whatever list."

[Guest swilk]

Another great piece by Edge. It's nice to see there's another Bob "Ace" Orton fan out there!

 

Looking forward to the next one. I think I'll stick to being and Edge Head though. Edge Addict doesn't have a good ring to it.

[Guest ViciousFish]

That was a great article and I really enjoyed the excellently Edge-cuted bit. He's got a good sense of humor.

[Guest Nanks]

Perhaps he mentions the cyclical downturn because he's actually in the business and would know far better what's going on than anyone here. He makes a very good point with the Mae Young/Hand Birth thing, if that happened now you would all go totally mental saying, "oh see, this is why the ratings are so shit, look at this writing..." but that happened when ratings were high and they stayed that way

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

The Wrestling Industry experiences irregular cycles of popularity, this is true, but the WWE has only had *one* bounce back and that was because WCW got the ball rolling in 1996/97.

 

In 1998/99 the WWE could get away with what they did because that was the spirit of the times. In 2000 they were able to find a better balance of storyline and workrate with the introduction of the Radicals and Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho while Rock and HHH hit their respective strides. 2001 was one of the WWE's most successful years, but content-wise was horrible. The effects were seen in 2002 where everything fell hard.

[Guest JDMattitudeV1]

Although we had May Young giving birth to the hand, back then they were pushing people the fans cared about, and if the fans didn't care about a particular worker, they made them care. For me 2000 was the WWF's greatest year. The guys on top The Rock, HHH, Kurt Angle, The Undertaker, Jericho, Edge and Christian ect were all connecting with the fans, where as now that is just not happening. Watching Raw last night so many times I thought, why should I care about this? Jazz is fighting Trish again, why should I care? Goldust is fighting Stevie, why should I care. Where as back then every segment had a purpose and most gave me a reason to be interested.

[Guest ManKinnd]

I don't think Marty vs Shawn at the Rumble is that great, especially compared to the alleged ***** 1993 MOTY from Raw (which sadly, I've never seen) that isn't even on his list. Maybe he made a mix up, or maybe as a Canadian like me he's never seen it.

Maybe there was too much internet hype behind it, but when I finally saw that match, I had to say I was kinda disappointed. It only went about 10 minutes, I think, minus the commercial, and was really good for tv, but no classic. About ***1/2. But maybe I need to watch it again.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Wow, three WCW matches and fourteen WWF matches. Really diverse group of faves you got there Edge. Those are all really good matches, though, and at least he didn't say "HHH vs Austin" or "Rock vs Undertaker" and decided to put some actual wrestling matches down.

 

This makes me truly wonder if WWE stars aren't allowed to mention Japan, ECW, indies etc. as favorite matches. You're telling me that Edge doesn't have any favorites from the areas I mentioned above? I pity him if that's the case, he's missing out on some good stuff.

What about Stampede? I'd think a lot of Canadian wrestlers would mention stuff from there.