Adam Copeland, popularly known as Edge, is one of the few 90s wrestlers still performing on a professional level. Best known for his time in WWE, he has held prestigious titles such as the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. Even though Edge’s career is nothing short of extraordinary, there were times when his body couldn’t keep up with his spirit. The wrestler has suffered numerous injuries since the early 2000s, and one of them became his reason to retire.
At WrestleMania 2011, Edge faced Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio, at the time, was having a dominating WWE run. He had won the 40-man Royal Rumble match a few months back and was eyeing the World Heavyweight Champion. Leading up to their match, he kept tormenting Edge in the form of attacks.
However, the latter’s friend, Christian, came to his rescue. Edge successfully defended his title in an 11-minute bout at the grandest stage of them all. On Raw after the event, he gave a touching speech where he spoke of his career and the actuality of wrestling. Additionally, he explained the various health issues he was facing due to years of in-ring action.
Eventually, the wrestler revealed that he was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. Per Web MD, the patient’s spine gets compromised in this condition. Furthermore, this leads to pain and other difficulties. Edge also added that if he kept performing, he could suffer neck-down paralysis or even die. On the next SmackDown, he relinquished the World Heavyweight Championship and announced his retirement. WWE fans widely believe that this was one of the most shocking moments in the company’s history.
The WWE 24 documentary Edge: The Second Mountain takes a closer look at this return from retirement.
When did Edge make his WWE return?
Edge made his shocking in-ring return at the 2020 Royal Rumble on January 26, 2020. He entered the 21st spot at the Men’s Royal Rumble match and received an astounding reaction from the fans in attendance. His nine-year absence created an organic story, and WWE viewers worldwide showered him with love and support.
At the time of his retirement, he was 37 years old. Edge’s last match in WWE was against Sheamus in August 2023. After his contract with the company expired on September 30, he left the company. Soon after, he made his AEW debut under his real name, Adam Copeland.
In a recent appearance on the Brotherly Love Podcast, Copeland spoke candidly about his career and emphasized his injuries. The wrestler explained how he underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2004 and eventually spoke of the injury that forced him to retire. He revealed that after WrestleMania 2011, Vince McMahon called him and asked him to retire.
He stated, “I went for an MRI, go up to Charlotte, had a full day media, had the show that night, drove to a house that I’d just purchased here. I get a call two days later and it’s from Vince McMahon, and he said, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this, but you got to retire. ‘ [I said] ‘What? What do you mean I got to retire?.”
Copeland recently faced Malakai Black at AEW Double or Nothing. Even though he won the match, the company’s founder, Tony Khan, revealed concerns about this well-being.
