Edge Vs Christian

[HBK-aholic]

E&C were one of the biggest tag teams in wrestling history. Every fan remembers their tag reigns, their TLC matches, and finally their ultimate parting.

That being said, as a tag team I never had a favourite. Rarely distinguished between the 2. I knew who they were separately but I felt no need to think about that, as they seemed so similar. They had similar styles, similar looks, and similar abilities.

So why is Edge such a bigger star now? Go back to their final match. Think about the different paths the 2 went on. If Christian had the path Edge had would he be as big as Edge is today?

Edge is seen by many as the greatest heel of the decade. His latest championship was great, and so was his feud with The Undertaker, very recently. Could Christian have done the same, if not better?

 

[Davi323]

I don't think so. I think the only reason Edge got the chances that Christian didn't was his size. He was simply bigger than Christian, physically, so its more realistic for him to be able to beat someone like Batista than it would be for Christian. I see Christian as a bigger little guy, and Edge is more medium sized. That isn't to take away from Christian, merely that for someone smaller, like Christian, you have to have something special that sets you apart, like Rey Mysterio. Rey brings something to the table that few others can, so despite his small size, he can offer something. With Christian, there isn't really anything he can do that is really unique, or that sets him apart, other than being Edge's buddy. Its very difficult to properly build up a smaller wrestler as a legit main eventer. Adam Copeland is a good 4 inches taller than Jay Reso. John Cena is the same height as Christian, the same weight, but, he simply "looks" bigger. Both are 6'1" 240lbs, (according to Wikipedia, anyway) but, Cena simply comes across as being bigger than that. Perhaps its Cena's intense charisma that sets him apart from someone like Christian, but, regardless, Christian simply didn't fit into the WWE profile as true main event material for whatever reason, and Edge did. I don't think giving him Edge's storylines back then really would have made much of a difference. Perhaps it is all merely perception, but, Edge just looked like a bigger star, so he got the breaks.

 

[Dragonslayer]

What, Cena and Christian are same height and weight?! I find that very hard to believe... I mean, about the height, that might possibly be so... but the weight?! Cena looks like TWO Christians put into one, he must have a lot more body (muscle) mass than Christian... I mean, he lifted the Big Show to the FU, Christian looks like he would just be crushed and die if he attempted that lol.... Well maybe it's really because Cena looks that much more chiseled, but I honestly believe Cena must have at least 20 pounds on Christian.

As for the actual topic is concerned, lol... Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Christian. Ever since he started the Captain Charisma thing, and more so ever since he went to TNA, people have been loving him... but I personally just can't relate to the guy. He doesn't look especially good, neither face nor body, he just does not have any "intimidation" factor whatsoever that usually a main event guy has to have for me to be believeable... I mean, he is not bad inside the ring, but I don't think him exactly stellar either...

As of right now, Edge seems A LOT more intimidating to me, simply because of the storylines he's had... He's been able to hold his ground against Taker to a certain extent, he has held the WWE's top titles on several occasions, he is currently portraying a completely insane character where you can never seem to expect what he's going to do next... Christian on the other hand just seems a little too "average" to me in all he does (and for some reason I don't even like his mic work too much), and thus I definitely think that Edge was the better choice to be given that main event spot he has now.

I believe Christian could probably make a nice competitor at "upper midcard/semi-Main Event" level, kind of like JBL, maybe even hold the title at some point (if he were in WWE right now) - but I don't think he could remain in the top tier as constistently as Edge has now.

 

[The Dungeon]

Christian is a very talented individual who was never given the chances he should've gone to get a run on top.

Edge is a very talented individual, who DID get that chance, and did everyting and more with it.

I'm mainly talking WWE...

However, looking at Christian's career in TNA, and what it has been in the last 3 years, I think he thrived greatly at being the big fish in a small pond.

I see the same comparisons to Matt Hardy, who I think will also do a fine job at being a big fish in the small pond.

Edge is a great intimidating heel, but I think it's unfair to say he was more intimidating than Christian, becuase Christian was never supposed to be an intimidating heel, he was what I like to call a Jericho-esque heel, that is obnoxious, annoying, gets under the skin of fans and rivals everywhere, but is entertaining while doing it.

I agree however, that Christian might not have succeded as a top heel in the WWE like Edge has, but really, what other heel really has succeded like Edige, in the last few years! At least IMO.

 

[Davi323]

Dragonslayer, I wouldn't have believed it either, but, Wikipedia lists both Christian and John Cena as 6'1" 240lbs. Perhaps its just a matter of where the weight is on Cena, and where it is on Christian...but, I am like you, until I saw it, I wouldn't have believed it either. And, even then, that is merely according to Wikipedia, not to be taken as the last word in anything. But, as I have no reason to doubt the height/weight, it is what it is.

 

[a0161613]

Maybe if Christian had broken up Matt Hardy's relationship instead of Edge, they would be in alternate positions?

I think of as being that simple.

Christian had the same potential but when Edge came back from neck surgery he struggled to get back over as a face (which he was doing superbly well on Smackdown). Then the whole Hardy/Lita thing came out, which led to the heel turn, and the opportunistic characteristic of the character going into 'Mania and winning MiTB.

We all know where that ended up. An ultimately succesful yet annoyingly short transitional reign, leading to two more longer ones, a WM showstealer with Foley, a WM main event with Taker, etc etc.

I struggle to believe that Christian would have been able to seize the opportunity like Edge has.

 

[Dragonslayer]

@Davi323: Yeah I also saw the billed weight on Wiki... but yeah, "billed" weight is not necessarily "true" weight. I simply can't believe the two weigh the same. If Cage was a couple of inches taller than Cena, then maybe, but given that they are billed the same height to, I don't think that weight description is accurate. I believe 225-235 works for Cage, but Cena will have to be more like 250, especially since he looks to have much more muscle mass, which is heavier than fat too. So even though Christian isn't "fat" lol - he just doesn't have enough mass of any kind to have the same weight as Cena, that would really surprise me. But well, maybe it's true; who knows?

@The Dungeon: Yes, maybe "intimidating" was the wrong word... What I was trying to say is that a champion needs to have some ability to establish him as a credible champion. Triple H has that - he has a good physique, combined with the malicious character he has been able to portray over the years as the "cerebral assasin". Batista is credible because of his sheer physique, and Taker because of his gimmick and size too. You have Orton who has a good physique and was also given an arrogant, cunning heel character to play; Cena also has a great physique and intensity and so on. Other people don't have that credibility right away, or have not (yet) been built up sufficiently to it (like CM Punk). But I agree - Jericho faces much the same problems as Christian does when trying to get him into the World Title picture. Look at his first Undisputed Title win - WWE had to have him go over Stone Cold AND Rock in the same night, the two biggest stars of their company of the era, just to make him seem credible. And even then it didn't work out really that well.

I think that attempt with Y2J was rushed back then - this time around he had a better build up. The Orton feud did not work as well as WWE thought it would, the people didn't buy Y2J as a legit threat to Orton right away upon his return. But his great feud with Michaels, which has made him look like a real badass, and a decent run as IC champ, definitely helped establish Y2J as a legit Main Eventer, and I think he will work now as champion.

Would they have been able to do the same with Christian? Maybe it would have worked. But as said - I am not a big fan of Christian, neither of his in-ring work nor his mic work for some reason. He just doesn't click with me. So I tend to believe that what worked for Edge, or even for Jericho, must not necessarily have worked for Christian as well. But that's just my personal opinion as I just have never been able to relate to Christian. Maybe he's better than I think him to be, and he would have proven (and could still prove!) me wrong by pulling it off.

 

[Davi323]

Well, TNA lists Christian Cage as 6'1" 240, and WWE.com lists Cena as 6'1" 240. I don't know what else to tell ya...Both official websites have the same information that Wikipedia does. Until I see better information, I have to assume that their listed heights and weights are the same. Other than that, I am inclined to agree with you about what works for other wrestlers not necessarily working for Christian. Like with you, Christian never really "clicked" with me either as a main eventer. Part of my problem with TNA, is that they elevated Christian that high, and it is going against my preconceptions about him as a main event level wrestler. I will probably always see Christian as nothing more than a midcarder, who has been artificially elevated in TNA purely so that they can use it as a lure to get other WWE midcarders to consider leaving...I know they want to sell Christian as a main eventer, but I am just not ready to buy it the same way I accepted Edge's transition.

 

[lefty1876]

So if you don't really see Christian as a maint eventer, then where do you see Samoa Joe. Get real. Christian definitely is a main eventer for that company, and could possibly be one in the WWE, should he ever come back. I believe it is about whom your working with in each program, sometimes the chemistry just isn't there. When Christian was working the fued with AJ Styles, that was good stuff, when he was working with Angle, same thing good stuff. Look who Edge has gotten to work with on some of these classic fueds. Undertaker, Foley. These are future HOF'ers. When Christian left the WWE, he was burnt out. He was going to let his contract expire and then take some time off. He had been working for 7-8 straight years. Creative didn't really have much for him at the time. Once he left, he got a decent offer from TNA, and with their light schedule, he could still get the rest he needed, and be pushed as a main eventer to raise his profile. Christian still cuts the best promo's in TNA, by far, and as we all know cutting great promos can get you pretty far in the WWE. Now is the time to come back to the WWE!!!!

 

[Slyfox696]

I think the only reason Edge got the chances that Christian didn't was his size.

I think you are on the right track, but not quite there.


Size is important to wrestling fans. No doubt. But, I think what's more important is BELIEVABILITY. Edge's larger stature gives him more believability, but I think that's not such an overwhelming difference to explain their current positions.

I think the biggest difference between the two is that Edge found a character he could play perfectly, and Christian Cage has yet to find that character. Believability is EVERYTHING in wrestling. If you can't suspend your disbelief, then you're not going to enjoy it. When you watch Adam Copeland, you're literally watching Edge, the character. When you watch Jay Reso, you're aware that you're watching a paid actor, if that makes sense.

I really think that's the biggest difference. Edge has found a believable character he can play to the hilt, and Christian just has never been able to do that.

 

[Davi323]

Well, size is a big factor, but, if you are smaller, you can make it, with the right gimmick or style. I mentioned Rey Mysterio as a successful small wrestler, because his luchadore style gives him something we can't see someone Batista's size do. Evan Bourne strikes me as someone down the road, maybe in a few years, who could be a main event caliber wrestler too, because of his wrestling style. If Christian could do what Rey Mysterio can, it would be an entirely different situation. I can believe Rey Mysterio being able to beat a Triple H on a fluke, because of the wide moveset he uses, I can believe that he can surprise a much larger wrestler and beat them. This ties together your believability comment and my previous comment about a smaller wrestler bringing something unique to the table in order to get to main event status. I do think they are related. Having something unique you can bring adds to the believability factor.

 

[TheRealLionheart089]

Well, I'll make a 'who's better' category:

Promo Ability: Edge
(Christian's decent in this category, but his promos cant compare to the stuff we've heard from Edge over the past couple of years)

In-Ring Ability: Edge
(Edge can be put in almost any match, and make it enjoyable, more so than Christian)

The 'Look': Edge
(Edge has that 'superstar' look. Christian looks like some guy in wrestling tights)

Moveset: Christian
(Edge has more of a 'cheat-to-win' style, which often takes away from his matches. Christian has an ever-growing moveset. I've seen him wrestle techically, showman style, dirty, etc...he can also pull off some highflying moves)

Marketability: Edge
(I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I can only assume that Edge has sold more merchandise, and sold out more events than Christian)

Reliability: Christian
(Edge has had multiple injuries over the past 10 years, including a spinal injury, while Christian has only had a couple of bumps and bruises)

Character: Edge
(Have you seen Edge on Smackdown over the past year? Thats all that needs to be said, Christian cant compare to the stuff Edge has been doin over the past few months)

Influence: Tied
(When Christian debuted in TNA and became champion, it really help TNA grow and gained them national exposure...but they're still in the 1.0 range. Same when Edge went to Smackdown and became the top player, sure Smackdown was WAY more enjoyable...but they still stayed in the 2.6 range)

Recent Fueds [within the past 3 years]: Edge
(Edge has had major fueds with Matt Hardy, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Batista, DX, John Cena and Undertaker. Christian has had major fueds with Jeff Jarrett, Abyss, Rhino, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles and Sting.)

Best match to date [since fall 2005]: Edge [vs. Undertaker HIAC]
(Christian's best match to date (in my opinion) was vs. Rhino in the '8-mile Street Fight,' but that match doesn't hold a torch to the HIAC)

Title History: Edge
(Edge: 5 time WHC, 5 time IC, 11 time tag, 2001 KOTR...
Christian: 2 time TNA, 3 time IC, 9 time tag, 1 time Euro.)


Overall: Edge is better.

 

[RVDgurl]

Great thread, Becca. I know I'm in the minority, but I've always preferred Christian over Edge. Edge is great and he plays his role tremendously, but there has always been something about Christian that draws me in. Obviously Edge is bigger in stature, the in ring work, mic skills and marketability is dead even. In fact, in my opinion, Christian is a little more skilled on the mic than Edge.

Both guys are good in the babyface role and both are GREAT as heels. But I firmly believe that had Christian been the guy chosen for the monumental push out of that tag team, he would have been just as successful in the role that Edge has been playing over the years.

 

[Shocky]

Regardless of who you think is better, this is easily the best tag team of this decade (again not saying much considering the lack of interest or proper booking of the tag divisions). Besides their great experience as a tag team, the amount of individual success that both have achieved is a very rare feet in the world of wrestling. For the most part, when a team disbands, both members usually don't make. One team member will sore to superstardom while the other languishes in mediocrity. Edge and Christian (outside of the Funks) are the only tag team to breed future world champions.

Say what you will about Christian, but he saw the writing on the wall in the WWE. Christian was getting over huge in 2005, and I will say it, he was out popping Cena in the summer. Christian gets squashed and moved to Smackdown. A terrible move by the WWE which I know for me personally led me to stop watching Raw live for the next 2 and a half years, and I think a big reason why the smarks turned on John Cena. Christian decided to take a chance for his career and instead of being used as a stepping stone, tried to make a name for himself by becoming a world champion in TNA.

Edge on the other hand was floundering around as well. Some have said it, and I tend to agree, if it wasn't for his real life affair with Lita, and the subsequent Myspace Hardy Show backlash, Edge would have probably still been over looked. He easily wouldn't have gotten the title as soon as he did in my opinion. I think with the injury situation of 2007, he was destined to be World Champion.

I prefer both, and I think both are absolutely golden on the mic. i think both are absolutely gold in the ring. Edge is easily the most enjoyable wrestler in the WWE at this point from an all around stand point. I see the typical Kool-Aid being drunk by the IWC again this year, but without question Edge vs. Undertaker this year is feud of the year, and has produced the three best matches of the year.

Christian started off white hot in TNA, but now has leveled off to a nice upper midcard position. I enjoy both. Christian isn't good enough to make me watch TNA however bad it is, Edge is enjoyable enough for me to at least catch his segments on Smackdown, so I lean with Edge.