Edge announces retirement due to neck injuries on WWE Raw
by David Bixenspan on Apr 11, 2011 10:49 PM EDT
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Just now on WWE Monday Night Raw, (Smackdown) World Heavyweight Champion Adam "Edge" Copeland was suddenly hyped as announcing his retirement, which he did in fact do in what does not appear to be an angle. If you remember what it was like when Shawn Michaels vacated the WWF Championship on the Thursday Raw Thursday special 14 years ago due to a "career-threatening knee injury," it felt as left-field as that did, if not more.
After hyping that Edge had a special announcement, it was then teased that he was announcing that he was retiring. He came out (without the belt), and as soon as he used the word "wrestling," oddly enough, it became clear that this probably wasn't an angle. He explained the situation:
As many of you know, he had his spinal column fused several years ago after a severe neck injury. Recently, the pain got worse and he decided to tough it out past Wrestlemania and then see what his doctor said. He's been losing feeling in his arms, so the damage has gotten so severe that the doctor told him to retire, and he not to go along with it so he doesn't end up in a wheelchair. His words, not mine, so yes, he was being very candid. He went over his childhood fandom, history with the company, etc., and said he was glad he got to end his career at Wrestlemania in a World Title match in one of the main events.
He walked up the ramp to a standing ovation as they went to a commercial break, and was shown hugging some of the other wrestlers when they came back.
In case you're wondering, the World Heavyweight Championship wasn't mentioned at all. I'm guessing they'll either hold the title up tomorrow at the Smackdown tapings and change the Extreme Rules match to Alberto Del Rio vs Christian for the vacant title or do a battle royal to immediately crown a new champion.
More on this as it develops, and kudos to Edge for listening to his doctor and not working on the injury after it became clear it was serious.
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Out of curiosity
What is the rate of injury of professional wrestlers v. MMA fighters? The over the top displays in professional wrestling seem to create more actual injury than MMA. It would be interesting if in order to create a similar environment as an actual fight, wrestlers were putting themselves in greater harm.
Think about how many more matches a professional wrestler does than an MMA fighter.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
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An average WWE mid-carder does...
What? 250 matches a year? You’re average UFC mid-carder fights 3 times?
by Sergio Hernandez on Apr 13, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
yep
its not shocking that these guys end up having the most serious injury issues after they’ve been in the business for a decade or so (if even that long)
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
And yes, MMA guys are training...
Nearly full-time and that adds stress to their bodies but think about it like this:
MMA fighters train to get to perform, to fight. And they perform a handful of times a year, if that.
Wrestlers train, work out, stay in shape, etc. to perform, to wrestle. And they perform 20 nights out of the months.
by Sergio Hernandez on Apr 14, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats what I was thinking
Fighters are regularly getting injured training nad having to pull out of fights. We often do not hear about lighter injuries that might prevent them from fighting if the injury was closer to the event. I think MMA has greater peaks an valleys of intensity, especially once you consider fighters who balloon up after a fight and then go through a massive weight cut, while professional wrestlers have more of a grind with no break.
Sad Panda indeed
he was a good worker man o well better him leave now than end up in a chair
Twitter @MaZZM
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He was an amazing performer.
You’ll be missed.
by SilverNBlackZach! on Apr 11, 2011 11:49 PM EDT reply actions
Small nit pick.
He did come out with the World Heavyweight Title, he just left without it. Not that it makes that much of a difference. But the entire time I kept saying “Please be legit and not kayfabe. I don’t want this to be an angle.” I mean, I don’t want him to retire, but I also don’t want another Scott Hall situation, either.
Sad day for fans of the WWE. I wish Adam the best.
Sad Day
I didn’t see this coming but now WWE HAS to push the younger guys, Right?
AKA UnkleWheez
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Who better than Danyon?
I guess that's why they let him win at Wrestlemania against Del Rio?
Del Rio was being pushed so much, and it just seemed odd (at the time) to let Edge win- especially since he’s had the title for a little while now.
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by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Apr 12, 2011 12:06 AM EDT reply actions
Judging by Edge's speech
His injuries were deemed much worse following WM. They knew he was in bad shape, but I imagine they were thinking he had another year in him at least.
Beware my tiny electric fury.
Yet another big WWE Star gone
This sucks man. WWE hasn’t done a good enough job of finding new talent to take the place of thier top guys. No one on the Smackdown Roster has the charisma of the Rated R Superstar. Christian comes close, but he’s always viewed as Edge’s sidekick in the WWE.
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I know one person who is sad to see you go
Nationwide Writer for SBNation's Nascar Ranting & Raving (www.4ever3blog.com)
"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas
Now on Twitter: @RockstarTroy
Absolute hall-of-famer
That had truly great moments, in and out of the ring.
Sodas rule.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
Aww, that sucks. I always liked edge (Truth be told E&C are easily one of my favorite tag-teams ever… heh… the Five Second Pose) All those monster intense matches with Matt and Jeff Pardy and the Dudley’s… La Sigh.
I never heard of the Pardy Boyz
Nationwide Writer for SBNation's Nascar Ranting & Raving (www.4ever3blog.com)
"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas
Now on Twitter: @RockstarTroy
As a football player and youth football coach...
I’ve always questioned the way Edge used his “spear” finishing move.
A lot of the time he leads with his shoulder and that could cause incredible damage to the spine.
Best of luck to him though
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