Drastic things MUST change for Adam Copeland's "Edge" character

[Ambiguous Turd]

I was just reading the thread in the ECW section on Christian needing a "new name" in order to get into the Main Event. And I got to thinking to myself, "You know who really needs a New Everything in WWE? Edge."

Let's face it, this "Ultimate Opportunist" Crap is beyond stale and boring. I mean, he's been doing it for what? Since 2006 at New Year's Revolution when he won the title from John Cena after the Elimination Chamber match?

You can only get away with that kind of thing for so long, if you CONSTANTLY go back to continuously giving Edge the title like this. It's just boring.

Another problem with Edge ... he's been a Heel for too long and it's ran its course. Combine that with the "Ultimate Opportunist" gimmick, and Edge is a sure-fire channel changer. When he was involved with Vickie, that was some of the worst television I have seen come out of WWE (except for when he went crazy fighting Undertaker).

Do you know how awkward it sounds when Vickie kept constantly saying "My husband, EDGE ..." ? That sounds as bad as calling the show on Tuesday Night's "ECW". Here, they were supposed to be lovers, and she is calling her "husband" "EDGE".

And that is beside the point that what seriously was the point in calling him "Edge"? I can understand it when he first debuted with the mysterious character he was portraying ... but not the "Edge" of today.

To resalvage Edge, he needs a complete makeover. This includes a new gimmick. And perhaps taking Edge back to his roots and giving him that mysterious character ... "almost an enigma" ... when he first began with the company may be the way to go. I loved his feud with Gangrel, but from there, the character really wandered, and it sounded absurd calling him "Edge" later on.

But if they could give him that original character, I could see that justify continuing to call him "Edge". If they can't come up with something like that to justify his name, personally I think it's time they give him a new name. Just call him Adam Copeland. He's certainly been with the company long enough to earn that. Hell, he's been around longer than their marquee star, John Cena. I know Vince doesn't like giving today's talents their real names to use for copyright reasons, but Copeland has shown his loyalty to the point where he deserves this.

And a Face turn is an absolute necessity. The Heel Edge clearly has nothing new left to offer ... UNLESS they turn him into the psycho character he portrayed when he was facing off against Taker and feuding with Vickie. However, with Orton as a borderline psycho (and I personally feel Orton is actually better than Edge in this department) ... that may not be feasible.

What I would like to hear from everyone is WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH EDGE .... AND WHY????

I don't want to hear about giving him the title, or having him feud with this person or that person.

What I specifically want to hear is what you would do with his CHARACTER? Change it? Keep it the same? Turn him Face? Keep him Heel? Change his name? Change his wardrobe?

Whatever you want to change about Adam Copeland's Edge character, this is the thread to spill your guts in.

 

[Mr. TM]

dis is a stupid ida caz edge is teh best talint in da WWE rite now. when he cumz back he shod do da sam thin he waz doin b4.


Sorry to sound like a n00b my Dark Lord, but what Edge has done has worked. WWE is not about changing characters who are successful. If the WWE is about the kids now a days, then they must be simple, for the minds of the youth. I have not seen too many posters come on here, who didn't talk like I just did who did not share that sentiment. Kids are immature, and do not appreciate changes in characters. And the LOVE title changes, which is something that Edge facilitates.

 

[Dagger Dias]

What I would like to hear from everyone is WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH EDGE .... AND WHY????

I don't want to hear about giving him the title, or having him feud with this person or that person.

What I specifically want to hear is what you would do with his CHARACTER? Change it? Keep it the same? Turn him Face? Keep him Heel? Change his name? Change his wardrobe?

Whatever you want to change about Adam Copeland's Edge character, this is the thread to spill your guts in.

Cool thread idea, Sidious. I think that he can keep doing the the Ultimate Opportunist stuff, but at the same time you're right that he can't rely on that forever so perhaps he could just do it less often. Or what if he returns as a face version of that character? I wouldn't mind seeing that. His name shouldn't change though. There is nothing with the "Edge" name in my opinion because it is the name of a character that the fans are now used to seeing, and so many of us like that character. His outfit should not change either, I like the mix of him coming out in that trenchcoat with the "Rated R" cammo outfit on underneath. It is a great look that I have always liked. It could work for him even if he returns as a face.

His fans miss him so much that it would make more sense to return as a face. Honestly, the more I think about it.... the only true change I see as necessary for Edge is for him to be a face. Everything else about him works. His name, his nicknames, his outfit, his entrance music, even the Ultimate Opportunist stuff. I would keep Edge the same, only turn him face when he returns because it would be very entertaining to see a face version of the mega heel we have seen since 2006.

 

[Lancer]

I agree here Sidious. The "Ultimate Opportunist" thing, besides being a lame nickname, has ran its course. I'm tired of seeing Edge show up out of nowhere all wild-eyed and psycho, taking the title, and then losing it a few months later.

I think the best thing for Edge is, as most expect, to return as a face. And, yes, he could possibly feud with Jericho as Jericho has badmouthed him here and there since teaming with the Big Show. But, feuds are pointless, as we are talking about the man's character.

He should return anew, redeemed...someone that has moved on from his past transgressions. I'm not talking a smiling, happy, Bible-thumping born-again Christian (no relation), but someone who realized that Vickie was garbage...and so were most of his short-lived title reigns. He could earn a championship the "right way," but they would have to be careful with the booking, so as to make it not appear he's starting from the bottom.

I think this change in character could also help him gain a little respect in the ranks, and establish him as somewhat of a ring general. I remember seeing a match he had with Kofi Kingston on Smackdown before he got injured, and Edge held his own in the match and subdued the hotter, younger superstar without cheating or stealing a pin.

That to me showed that he could be thought of as a more "mature" person, as opposed to the whiny, psycho, deranged individual that we have been treated to since, really, in 2004.

 

[blackrose1013]

I really like this thread idea and I thank you for posting it. Though I do like the idea of an Adam Copeland name change, it stands to reason not to rename him. Adam Copeland has been Edge for far too long to change it. Now definitely turn him Face, and i agree with another poster in making him come back and say he is past all of his transgressions and wants to earn the title the honest way. It would bring back all the Edgeheads in full force, and I would gladly cheer for him. Keep his ring gear, entrance and all of the non Rated R merchandise.

 

[twiztid_lestat]

To be honest, I wouldnt mind a resurection of the old Edge.

Try their BEST to not leak the idea of him coming back. Or have real vague vignettes that dont really say anything about edge.

Then during whoever they want him to feud with, Have him come through the crowd and attack them. This way they could have him a face, and have him be silent again, have it the way he was in the begining of his career. Have him attack Punk or something.

Also, The Adam Copeland idea isnt bad either by the way

 

[Big Sexy]

I agree that he should have a run as a face when he comes back. The seeds have already been planted to show that he will most likely be coming back as a face.

As far as him needing some drastic gimmick change, I think that's a bit much. Obviously as a face he isn't going to be the "Ultimate Opportunist," but other then that not much will change. When he first started his rise to the main event he was a face and he did just fine. I just see him going back to how he was in 2003 and 2004 which is basically how Christian is now.

But if they could give him that original character, I could see that justify continuing to call him "Edge". If they can't come up with something like that to justify his name, personally I think it's time they give him a new name. Just call him Adam Copeland. He's certainly been with the company long enough to earn that. Hell, he's been around longer than their marquee star, John Cena. I know Vince doesn't like giving today's talents their real names to use for copyright reasons, but Copeland has shown his loyalty to the point where he deserves this.

What is with this random name change talk? He has always been Edge. This isn't Johnny Nitro getting a name change after a couple years in a tag team. This is one your top stars for the last 5 years. He has been in the company for over 10 years. What is the point of changing his name? When the Undertaker had his biker gimmick they didn't change his name to Mark Calaway. I just don't see the need for a name change.

Make him a face and let him be himself and entertain. No need for some type of "gimmick" to be attached to him.

 

[Blade]

I disagree. Before he got injured, I still found Edge to be the most consistantly entertaining member of the roster. WWE is still able to write some beautiful twists for him. Do you remember No Way Out this year? Basically every part of that PPV that Edge was in was a huge OMGWTFMTFO moment. Edge getting pinned instantly, then attacking Kingston and winning the World Heavyweight title... It was just awesome.

But as for turning Edge face, that was supposedly the whole point behind teaming him up with Jericho. They'd be a dominant tag team for a while, lose the belts, then turn on each other for an epic clash at Wrestlemania. But Edge got injured and Jericho got stuck with Big Show, essentially saving Show's career.

But Edge has been gone for about 5 months and he might be out for another 5 or maybe more. And we know what happens when a top, hugely entertaining heel performer goes out of action for that long, don't we?

[YOUTUBE]_N8tr_QDhDk[/YOUTUBE]

Edge will come back more over than ever. And the crowd will make him a face. That might mean that he has to change his gimmick a bit when he returns, because the Ultimate Opportunitst gimmick won't work for a face. But Edge will still be entertaining.

 

[theHeadliner]

I think its time for a change. It got really old every week when he would rant about "his" championship, and Vickie would be right there pulling the strings in an annoying and cheesy way. He either needs a face turn, or add another dimension to his heel-self. To me he came off looking weak towards the end because he couldn't get a clean win, match after match it was either interference or cheating. I'd like to see him come back and act like he has a "chip on his shoulder" and is out to prove something. He's out to kick everyone's ass, and the hard way. Add some bad-ass-ness to his character. Also, I'd like to see him wrestle more in his matches. All he would do before he got hurt was punch, kick, stomp, and choose one of his finishers to do(Impaler DDT, spear, sharpshooter). He was trained in the dungeon, let's see him outwrestle some people when he gets back as part of the "chip". Maybe him and Christian could align themselves with the Hart Dynasty since both have their roots in the dungeon.

 

[batboy]

First thing why a name change? Like someone else said when UT did the biker gimmick he wasn't known as Mark so why change Edge's name? Now I've noticed some of you want the whole face turn but why not keep him a heel. I would keep the "rated r superstar" gimmick, not to sure yet about "the ultimate opportunitst" one, but change it up a bit. By the time Adam does come back TNA will have there monday night show, if it last that long, but have him go back to how he was back with Gangrail. Maybe have a mask on at first to hid his identity but going through the crowd interfearing in matches and basicly trying to push the envelope of the "pg" era with violence and hopefully bringing back blood in fights, returning the wwe to a pg-13.

 

[The Best At What I Do]

I agree and disagree Sidious. Edge's character definitely needs an update. While I enjoyed his Ultimate Opportunist gimmick, simply because I'm a fan of his really, it has been going on for a while now. However, with all the tidbits hinting at a face turn upon return I don't think we'll have to worry about that gimmick returning. How many faces take unfair advantage in order to win matches?... well outside of the late great Eddie Guererro of course. I think that Edge will come back as "the fun loving guy he once was" like Morrison said. Go back to calling fans Edgeheads and his hilarious promos (hopefully with Christian).

But I definitely disagree with name change. This man has built an entire career as Edge. Even though the name doesn't make much sense now, it's what he is famous as. Just look at Triple H. I'm sure lots of people think he "deserves" to be called Paul Levesque after his years of loyalty. In fact, if I remember correctly, he was called Hunter Hearst Helmsley because of his rich, sophisticated, upper crust gimmick back in the day. That's not him now but I can't imagine him not being Triple H

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

First thing why a name change? Like someone else said when UT did the biker gimmick he wasn't known as Mark so why change Edge's name? Now I've noticed some of you want the whole face turn but why not keep him a heel. I would keep the "rated r superstar" gimmick, not to sure yet about "the ultimate opportunitst" one, but change it up a bit. By the time Adam does come back TNA will have there monday night show, if it last that long, but have him go back to how he was back with Gangrail. Maybe have a mask on at first to hid his identity but going through the crowd interfearing in matches and basicly trying to push the envelope of the "pg" era with violence and hopefully bringing back blood in fights, returning the wwe to a pg-13.

Because "The Undertaker" is still a name that could fit the Biker character. Can you imagine a gang boss in a group of bikers being nicknamed "The Undertaker"? I think it is still suitable as a nickname in the least, so therefore it fit.

But what exactly is "edgy" about calling Copeland "Edge" in his current persona? Nothing. Nothing at all. Especially when he was with Vickie ... it was absolutely horrendous. Did you think it sounded normal when she would refer to her husband and love of her life as "Edge" every week?

The name doesn't fit the character AT ALL.

When he first debuted ... absolutely. Today ... not at all.

If we aren't going to give him an "Edgy" persona to justify the name, then give him a new name. Much like what they finally figured out to do with ECW. If the name doesn't fit ... get rid of it. Even if it is a few years past due.

If they aren't going to give him an edgy character to justify the name, seriously ... just call him Adam Copeland. It's a good sounding name anyway, and he would still be taken seriously as a Main Eventer.

 

[Big Sexy]

Because "The Undertaker" is still a name that could fit the Biker character. Can you imagine a gang boss in a group of bikers being nicknamed "The Undertaker"? I think it is still suitable as a nickname in the least, so therefore it fit.

But what exactly is "edgy" about calling Copeland "Edge" in his current persona? Nothing. Nothing at all. Especially when he was with Vickie ... it was absolutely horrendous. Did you think it sounded normal when she would refer to her husband and love of her life as "Edge" every week?

The name doesn't fit the character AT ALL.

When he first debuted ... absolutely. Today ... not at all.

If we aren't going to give him an "Edgy" persona to justify the name, then give him a new name. Much like what they finally figured out to do with ECW. If the name doesn't fit ... get rid of it. Even if it is a few years past due.

If they aren't going to give him an edgy character to justify the name, seriously ... just call him Adam Copeland. It's a good sounding name anyway, and he would still be taken seriously as a Main Eventer.

Edge hasn't been "edgy" since he and Christian left the brood. Honestly what was "edgy" about he and Christian as a tag team? What was "edgy" about him when he first turned heel? The only "edgy" thing that he has done since his first couple years in the company is the live sex celebration with Lita. If they were going to change his name they would have done it a long time ago. Now it would really be pointless.

 

[Daedalus]

I have to admit that Edge is the most entertaining character in WWE for me as a viewer (Jericho and Punk are up there as well). I love him as a heel as he plays the role solidly and always cuts a fun promo. I even enjoyed the Vicky/Edge storyline as they both were snakes and fed well off each other. I think he'll come back as a face but I hope it will only last for a year. Edge is better suited to be a heel but will welcome another face run to see what he does with it. I'll be honest in that I didn't really enjoy him as a face. There are just wrestlers that seem to thrive more being heels.....Edge, Jericho, Christian, and Punk. They do a decent enough job as faces but find them much more entertaining being devious heels. Many seem to be tiring of his heel character but I'm still hooked and want more. One other thing is that WWE seems to be lopsided with faces compared to heels. Batista turning helped things out a bit but think they need another strong heel and Edge fits that category. I hope we soon see some sort of collaboration or feud between Edge and Christian once he returns as well. I can handle a Jericho/Edge feud and throw Christian in there after four or five months to keep things interesting. They all have a long history and play well off each other. It will be interesting to see where things go when Edge does return.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Wait, Sidious? You mean as in him going by his real name in the ring? I must disagree if that is the case. "Adam Copeland" doesn't sound like a threat to any title. There is a reason that so many wrestlers use gimmick names and character names in the ring. There is nothing wrong with him being called "Edge" because it sounds so good. You can't tell me that "World Heavyweight Champion EDGE" sounds worse than "World Heavyweight Champion ADAM COPELAND".... it just sounds wrong. A lot of wrestlers have names that would be taken less seriously.

Not everyone is born with a great sounding name like John Cena or Randy Orton.... Shawn Michaels' real name is Michael Hickenbottom.... Booker T's is Booker Huffman.... Triple H's is Paul Levesque.... Cm Punk's is Phillip Brooks.... Do you see what I'm getting at? Wrestlers (for the most part) should go by their nicknames and/or character names, not their real names.... and it is because of that, that I would not support Edge changing his in ring name to his real name of Adam Copeland.