Welcome to the first article of The Ring Announcer.
WrestleMania 37 is almost upon us, and we will soon see a plethora of stories culminate in front of the first crowd in over a year. For two nights, we will see passion and storylines at WrestleMania, and the anticipation couldn’t be higher. For the Universal Championship match, they are building a great story behind Reigns and Edge as the “Head of the Table” vs. the “Ultimate Opportunist” in a true battle of grit. However, some may question Edge’s worth to be in the main event.
Time heals all wounds and for the Rated R Superstar, Edge, time has definitely been on his side. Since his return to the Royal Rumble in 2020, he has been on a real rollercoaster of a journey. Competing in only four matches and two Royal Rumble’s in the span of a year is not the difficult part of this challenge. But, getting over the most recent tricep injury in the “greatest wrestling match” vs. Randy Orton, this past June may be the difference.
Just six days before the Royal Rumble, Edge shocked the wrestling world by announcing his return in the Royal Rumble. He lasted 58 minutes and 30 seconds in the Royal Rumble match to guarantee him a shot at the Universal Champion Roman Reigns at this year‘s two day WrestleMania weekend.
In Edge’s career in the WWE he has won a total of 31 Championships, including 11 World Championships, 14 Tag Team titles with numerous partners, Five Intercontinental and a single reign as United States Champion. To add to his list of accomplishments he has been in the WWE Hall of Fame since 2012. He can be categorized as a true artist to the wrestling world. There is no denying that.
For him to win the Universal Championship at WrestleMania would be the definition of a Grand Slam Champion. The last time Edge was in a Championship Match at WrestleMania was exactly 10 years ago, where he competed in his last match against Alberto Del Rio. For Edge to be in a Championship Main Event 10 years later from retiring is the definition of full circle.
The current Universal Champion Roman Reigns will definitely be a test to the Rated R Superstar’s true “Grit” in this main event match. Reigns has been in the main event of five out of the last seven WrestleMania’s. He has proven to be a true asset to the WWE’s current product and beyond.
In more recent years, the WWE has looked to the part-timers for aid and support to hold up this company in the biggest of shows. Look no further, then the return of Goldberg. When he finally returned people started to get sick of him burying young talent. Or, even better yet, halting one of the more recent top angles in the company currently, “The Fiend.” Handing Goldberg the title and putting what they had built for the last year go to waste, or almost permanently injuring other talent because of how unsafe the guy works.
The point I want to get at is that when you have superstars busting their ass each day being overlooked by a guy who hasn’t competed in something this high profile since his last run 10 years ago. The question remains why? But, deep down we all know the correct answer to that question.
It is more about the almighty dollar. When they see Edge they see dollar signs because they know people will buy into whatever is presented to them. He’s popular, and draws in a large crowd.
But, it’s time for the WWE to finally look away from using the part timers as a stepping stone, or an off point of a story.
Nothing at all against Edge, he’s a great performer, and one of the greatest storytellers in the ring. But, in my honest opinion, for Edge to be pushed this fast back into a title picture is unfair.
But, for the WWE it's not about what is fair or not.