The Rated R Superstar has revealed the simple story behind how he came up with his simple-yet-iconic ring name.
Before he joined WWE, Edge (real name Adam Copeland) used names such as "Adam Impact" and "Damon Striker." The latter was the WWE Hall of Famer's ring name during his very short tenure in the rival World Championship Wrestling promotion. He debuted as "Edge" for the Federation in 1998, and he's kept the name ever since.
So, how did Copeland come up with a four-letter word, that wound up sticking with him for more than two decades? The former WWE Champion and two-time Royal Rumble winner revealed the origins of the ring name during an interview with FOX News.
"I actually came up with Edge. I would have preferred Adam Copeland, but that wasn’t the way it really worked then, right? I was doing dark matches, and Don Callis and I were driving and the radio station, it was in Albany and it was 'Edge 1-0-something,' and growing up in Toronto, Edge 102 was always one of my favorite stations."
"I was like, 'Hmm, that has a bit of a rock 'n’' roll feel to it, Edge.' They were tossing around names like Rage, Riot, and you know it was the late '90s, right? I just thought, 'Edge, I’ll throw that out there.' At least that’s something I could relate to a little bit better. And it stuck."
It's simply incredible that The Ultimate Opportunist has been able to keep this one name in The Federation for 24 years (and counting). Most WWE stars, even the all-time greats, went through several ring names with the company before settling on the one that fits ideally. Before he went by "The Rock", Dwayne Johnson used the ring names "Rocky Maivia" and "Flex Kavana." Hall of Famer Kane had to use the "Fake Diesel" and "Isaac Yankem" gimmicks, before The Federation finally settled on his iconic four-letter name.
And in many cases, some superstars had to hear out multiple ring name ideas before they finally found one that clicked. Take WWE Hall of Famer 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, for instance. In previous interviews (including those on official WWE video releases), The Texas Rattlesnake revealed that "Mr. Freeze", "Cruel Luke" and "Chilly McFreeze" were among the ring names suggested for him. Another Hall of Famer, Mick Foley/Mankind, likewise revealed in his book 'Have a Nice Day' that "Mason the Mutilator" was a name suggested for him. Fortunately, it was 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Mankind for those two legends.
What's Next For Edge?
The Rated R Superstar won't have to wait much longer for his next match, as he's slated to go up against former Judgment Day ally Damian Priest on next week's episode of Monday Night Raw, which will take place in Toronto, Ontario.
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