Honor Edge - Retire the WHC

[EStreet]

Honor Edge. That is all I'm saying. Not with goodbye parties on Raw or Smackdown, but in a way that is memorable and meaningful. Having Del Rio and Christian fight for the World Heavyweight Championship is a great way of passing the torch. But Edge won't get pinned. He never lost the title. A title he has held (I believe, but may be wrong) 9x!!!

Instead, I propose retiring the WHC with Edge. Many feel that the brand extension needs to end. While I won't call for the end of it because I still see a point to having two (albeit different) shows, I do think there should only be one title. The WWE Championship is on Miz and what better way to elevate him as the next face of the WWE than have him on both shows as the only Champ. At the same time, what better way to send Edge off into forced retirement than to retire his title with him. Christian and Del Rio would be a great feud for a belt - as in the 90s when big names fought for the IC title. In honoring one of the hardest workers and greatest wrestlers for almost the last 15 years, the WWE could add more prestige to its titles starting from the top and filtering down.

Flair and HBK may have gone at it longer than Edge, but they did it with long stints in non-wrestling roles. Edge has wrestled his heart out year in and year out for over a decade straight in the WWE. He went from a gimmick guy in the Attitude Era to the Rated R Superstar in the PG Era. He may not be in the class of HBK/Flair/Hogan/Austin/Rock but he is the elite of the class of blue collar workers who bust their ass for the business and allow the WWE to churn a revenue every year and entertain millions of wrestling fans around the world.

Tomorrow is the draft, a night of shake-ups on the roster. Oh how I would love to see the WHC title retired and the WWE Champion rule reinstated where Miz now must work both shows and defend against anyone on the roster. New feuds for the title, cross-over feuds for the #1 contender (because its not like guys don't appear on the other shows regularly anyway) and the proper send off to one of the greatest World Heavyweight Champions of all time.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Or you know, they could just have a title unification match but that's too illogical. Let's just honor Edge by retiring a belt. I would much rather had Flair have the honor if I ever went that route.

 

[кαяℓ [zα¢к ρα¢к мємв]

I can see where you are coming from but Edge isn't the first guy who's had to relinquish the belt. Sure, he's never going to come back but that's no reason to take the WHC away. Edge has had his send off and that's him done. Finished. Gone. There were World Heavyweight Champions before him and there will be World Heavyweight Champions after him.

 

[Sir_Michael_Cole]

Horrible idea. The World Heavyweight title is the prettiest belt in wrestling's history and should never be retired or changed. Edge probably loves that belt and I doubt he would be honoured to have it taken away. He'd likely be against the idea and he probably wants to see his buddy Christian wear it some day. I don't think they are going to go back to one champion any time soon, unless the Smackdown ratings go completely down the toilet and the show goes off the air.

 

[Mac Attack]

I'm sorry but to retire a belt just based on a guy retiring with it. How many times has this had the possibility of happening? Edge will always be remembered in the hearts of every WWE member. But the truth is you don't need to retire a belt just for him. This would be the end of Smackdown because with no prize there is absolutely no reason to be on the brand.

 

[triple_b2k]

I would much rather had Flair have the honor if I ever went that route.

That's exactly what I was thinking and about to say when I saw this thread.

Trish Stratus retired with the Woman's Title... Actually I'm not going to finish that because the Woman's division is pretty terrible right now (even though I want to to succeed lol).

Edge is receiving a great farewell from in ring action. There isn't a real benefit to anyone, WWE or Edge in retiring the belt.

Interesting idea but just not practical.

 

[a7xfan93]

i know many are upset about edge retiring, as am I, but to retire a world heavyweight championship just because the wrestler holding it retired is just stupid and pointless. yes, edge needs to be honored, but not by ending a belt. let other guys hold it that either hasn't ever held it, or by someone who only held it once or twice, and then losed it a month or two later (REY MYSTERIO) hell, give JO-MO a push for the title, CHRISTIAN can win it

 

[CaptainZaltan]

This has got nothing to do with Edge. It's just another in a long list of justifications for getting rid of one of the WWE's two main titles, with Edge's name added in an attempt to make it more acceptable to everyone who disagrees.

But, as for your argument about the two championships, here are the two main problems as I see them:

1. World champions are undeniably more valuable to the company. They are taken more seriously by the fans, sell more merchandise, draw bigger crowds to public appearances, etc. Having more champions (ie: established main event players) is therefore good for business. However, passing the title around too often in an attempt to create too many champions will make the title meaningless. Having two titles for the two separate rosters allows the WWE to create more champions without having to play hot potato with either championship. And nowadays, the roster is large and fluid enough to get away with doing it while still keeping both championships prestigious.

2. Championship feuds are generally the companies main draw. And because it's hard to please everyone nowadays, its very likely you'll be alienating some portions of the audience regardless of who you put in the main event. Having two championships allows the WWE to provide more diversity in the main event scene, appealing to a broader portion of the audience at any given time. Two championships = twice as many championship feuds.

For the most part, this strategy works. Everyone knows the WWE is scripted, and the scripted explanation (that RAW and Smackdown are two competing brands under the parent company WWE, and therefore each has it's own champion) is bought by most of the fans. Most of those fans being kids. The only objections seem to be coming from older fans who can't suspend their disbelief enough to 'get' the brand extension explanation, and who still can't get past the whole kayfabe ridiculousness of having two titles within the same company which essentially represent the same thing. These fans are the minority, as far as I can tell, and the WWE doesn't seem to be particularly concerned with throwing away a perfectly profitable setup because a few IWC fans keep complaining about it. In short: it's not going away, no matter how you feel about it.

Personally, I enjoy having two main event championships in the company. I think the roster is large enough to support it, and it offers more diversity and allows the WWE to build more stars in a shorter period of time (which they sorely need). Honestly, if the main event title scene was constantly filled with some combination of Cena/Orton/HHH, it would just plain suck.

 

[wushady]

I have to agree with the other poster that don't like the idea. Edge being the pro and the wrestling fan that he is, I would imagine that he would rather the title go on. So others would get the chance to be champion as he was lucky enough to have been eleven times. If they want to honor Edge they should put the belt on Christian. I'm sure he would rather it go to Christian then to have it retired.

Many people have had to relinquish it due to injury over the years. He may be the first to have to retire due to injury as champion. Even if he is the title shouldn't be retired. If they do unify the titles soon, they should do it in a unification match. Not by retiring one of the titles it takes the importance away from it.

 

[EStreet]

good feedback. I see the point that Edge would want the belt to go on. I also agree that it is an attempt to justify unifying the belt (which I still feel needs to happen, as does the end of the brand extension). Always enjoy the feedback on the idea.

I considered the fact that Edge is not HBK or Flair, but also considered how they got such built-up send offs and Edge's was more shocking and drastic. In hindsight, how would it have looked to have Flair retire with the belt? Biscoff would have had him put it in a dumpster when he got to TNA.

 

[VCUpkunk11]

Honor Edge. That is all I'm saying. in a way that is memorable and meaningful. Having Del Rio and Christian fight for the World Heavyweight Championship is a great way of passing the torch. But Edge won't get pinned. He never lost the title.

Instead, I propose retiring the WHC with Edge. Many feel that the brand extension needs to end. While I won't call for the end of it because I still see a point to having two (albeit different) shows, I do think there should only be one title. The WWE Championship is on Miz and what better way to elevate him as the next face of the WWE than have him on both shows as the only Champ. At the same time, what better way to send Edge off into forced retirement than to retire his title with him.

Tomorrow is the draft, a night of shake-ups on the roster. Oh how I would love to see the WHC title retired and the WWE Champion rule reinstated where Miz now must work both shows and defend against anyone on the roster. New feuds for the title, cross-over feuds for the #1 contender (because its not like guys don't appear on the other shows regularly anyway) and the proper send off to one of the greatest World Heavyweight Champions of all time.

Well personally, I think if you are going to retire the WHC, you might as well retire Smackdown. I mean think about it.... We saw ECW make a semi come back and then vanish again, We've seen the rise and fall basically of NXT. If you "retire" the WHC what's the point of even having Smackdown.

Plus.... while I agree that Edge is a great athlete and gave us a lot of great matches... why should it be retired to Edge and Edge alone? I mean there were a large number of WWE Superstars who held that prestigious belt that could deserve the same thing- Triple H, Chris Benoit (even if WWE is choosing to disregard him after what happened), Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Undertaker, Kane, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Batista, Shawn Michaels among a long list of others. So why should only Edge have it?

I mean if you are only going to have the WWE Title, why even bother having Smackdown anymore. You figure they experimented with the idea of 2 different tag team champs on 2 different shows.... until they got united back into one.

Ultimately I believe if you get rid of the WHC.... several things will happen
1. Smackdown will pretty much end up like NXT, and WWE Superstars... only being online... if that.
2. There will be a lot of roster cuts... so stars that dont get much air time... or only got airtime because of WWE Superstars will go bye bye.

 

[Lucha-Libre is wrestling]

good feedback. I see the point that Edge would want the belt to go on. I also agree that it is an attempt to justify unifying the belt (which I still feel needs to happen, as does the end of the brand extension). Always enjoy the feedback on the idea.

I considered the fact that Edge is not HBK or Flair, but also considered how they got such built-up send offs and Edge's was more shocking and drastic. In hindsight, how would it have looked to have Flair retire with the belt? Biscoff would have had him put it in a dumpster when he got to TNA.

Dude do you know the history of The Big Gold ( The World Heavyweight Title ), Ric Flair was the first guy to hold that Title, even if he had it made after NWA broke away from WCW. If anyone ever deserved to be retired with Big Gold its The Nature Boy. Flair is not stupid to take Big Gold to TNA and trash it, if he ever did that he be trashing his whole career with it. The Nature Boy Ric Flair is The Big Gold and The Big Gold is Ric Flair, Edge and everyone else just borrowed it.

 

[iwinulose]

EStreet, i must disagree with you on many things.
1) miz sucks he will never be the face, he is all talk, his inring abilities are crappy and thats all i have to say about that subject.
2)you need 2 brands and 2 major championship belts to get more people over instead of 1 at a time 2 at a time, its more logical.
3)edge retiring, he will go down as one of the best performers ever, i would even go on to say that he was at the level of stone cold/rock/ hogan (when i had respect for him)/flair (when i had respect for him).
4)i would hate to see the WHC and wwe belts unified, that would destroy the point of having 2 brands, if they do that then get rid of smackdown, to bad that would meen alot of good wrestlers lose their job, and more wrestlers tossed into the back.

 

[Mac Attack]

EStreet, i must disagree with you on many things.

And I must disagree with you on many well the four points you presented.

1) miz sucks he will never be the face, he is all talk, his inring abilities are crappy and thats all i have to say about that subject.

The truth is this guy is the second biggest face of the WWE right now. I can disagree with you as much as I want about his actual skill set however he is doing so much in order to promote the WWE and the WWe is awarding it. You can't see he won't be the face of the WWE if he basically already is.

2)you need 2 brands and 2 major championship belts to get more people over instead of 1 at a time 2 at a time, its more logical.

Really? I personally feel each brand needs its own major title, however I feel that WWE has done the 1 title shared thing a lot recently. Just look at the Divas and the Tag Titles. Has it been working yes.

3)edge retiring, he will go down as one of the best performers ever, i would even go on to say that he was at the level of stone cold/rock/ hogan (when i had respect for him)/flair (when i had respect for him).

He is a great superstar but you are putting him at legend status which he is not. And in a few years if Edge annoys you will it tarnish his entire legacy, i doubt it so I don't know how you can say you lost all respect for Flair and Hogan.

4)i would hate to see the WHC and wwe belts unified, that would destroy the point of having 2 brands, if they do that then get rid of smackdown, to bad that would meen alot of good wrestlers lose their job, and more wrestlers tossed into the back

Wrong. There would still be a need for two brands because there are other titles then the World Titles. There was a time when there was no WHC, did WWE fail then. No.

 

[Azane]

The World Title is above every superstar.
all the greats know this, and its a rule that keeps the business rolling.
Pride being put above the prize has been a history lesson in the making, but Edge definitely fits the bill as someone who knows that he can't surpass the gold. The WHC is hotter now than it has been for a while, even though you have 2 people who've never held a recognized world title, you still see their match being a WM Calibur showdown. Del Rio and Christian are excellent workers, but the title is above them, and it makes a great match amazing.
Edge would prefer to have the WHC continue to make amazing matches and stories, rather than gathering dust in a display case.

Also, on your points about the Tag team, and Divas titles.... Nobody cares about either division right now, Random superstars put together.... and..... the Bellas have shown how prestigious those titles are, Maybe the WWE title could be put on Mark Henry when its unified to continue that trend.

 

[TopOfTheTron]

Why would they retire the world heavyweight championship? I could maybe see this with someone who wrestled well into their fifties and became more of a living legend, But edge, while he was an amazing performer and DID hold the title on many occasions, left almost out of nowhere because of injury/health issues... It just doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I think Edge deserved to retire as WHC, but I can't see the title retire with him at all.

 

[JJ15776]

Yeah, I don't really like this idea. You need two seperate World titles. If Christian hadn't lost the ECW title before it was retired MAYBE you could retire the WHC and have Christian bring back the ECW title...or, if you're going to retire the WHC, at least bring back the old Smackdown! title that JBL won before Batista was drafted to Smackdown! way back when. (anybody remember that? I always wondered what the Smackdown! title would've looked like) If Edge was the WWE Champion instead of the World Heavyweight Champion, they could retire the belt (not the championship, but the specific belt) with him and debut a new one...but the Big Gold design is too classic to do that.

The guy went out on top by winning a World title match at Wrestlemania. I think that's enough of an honor.

 

[RkoMachine]

i have to respectably disagree, WWE needs the WHC for smackdown. having 1 title wouldnt work out, it would be a total cluster fuck in the main event scene. WWE needs 2 main titles to keep things fresh and keep new challenges and matches possible, though i also love edge but this is not the way to honor him

 

[Lucid]

No.
You don't retire the World Heavyweight Title because one of your performers retires.
Saying that is like saying, "Hey, Michael Jordan retired, let's get rid of the NBA Championship!"
I don't see any reasoning that works for getting rid of the symbol that potentially all of your roster strives to become.

 

[RManske2]

I'm sure everyone agrees that Edge needs to be honored but wrestling is a bit different than any other sport since you can't retire a number, name an award after someone, etc. As others have said though, Edge received a nice send off and he will be in the Hall of Fame soon enough. There have been many greats that have retired and many more to follow (just in the next few years if you think about it) so not sure how this would work. I'd be all for it if Edge retired and was still carrying around that Rated R Spinner Belt then I'd be all for retiring the belt with him (for different reasons).

Now if they ever do go back to just one heavyweight champion, that is the belt I want to stick around for the tradition, history, and the fact it just looks like a championship belt should in my opinion. The question though would be what would the WWE do with it since it's get rid of that one or their "own" championship belt.

 

[ABMorales787]

Honor Edge? By retiring the World Heavyweight Championship? What, a Hall Of Fame worthy career isn't enough? They have to retire a freakin' title in his honor too? So what? When John Cena retires and he happens to have the belt and vacate it as he leaves, should the WWE Championship be retired too? The man may be holding a HOF ring by this time 3 years down the line, why the hell kill a belt in his honor just because he never lost it? Because it disputes it? It's wrestling. Not boxing. Once a new champ is crowned, nobody gives a damn about who never lost it and gave it up.

 

[Fuzz]

If they were to do that it would be taken as complete disrespect to other honorable wrestlers that have held the title. Edge is an honorable superstar, but let's not go too far by calling him the best.

 

[mayankeagle]

This is why making him win at Mania was meaningless. He had tweeted hints of retirement before Mania itself, and the WWE should have - for once in the last 4 years - made the Rumble winner look credible at Mania by winning for a change. Edge is not so big that the title needs to be retired in respect for him. Yes he is one of the all-time greats but he is not a Stone Cold or an Undertaker or a Rock or a Shawn Michaels. Brand extension is still being considered; we don't even know if it will happen. There is no reason to retire the belt right now.

 

[bretford_scotland]

Some have compared the Woman's and Tag Teams merging from two to one titles as something of a blue print, but the reality is the roster wasn't big enough to cope with the two without having Smackdown appear on Raw or vcie versa, and so they merged them.

With only about 15 Divas on the Roster and the rarity of a featured match the need to have two titles was no longer justifiable.

Likewise with the Tag Team Titles, as the numbers of proper Tag Teams was whitled down there was simply not enough bodies to ensure both belts could be fought for and so they were unified and finally replaced with a singular title.

With over 50 male wrestlers on the roster, having the two World Titles and two Mid Card Titles spread over the two brands, it is easier to find bodies to compete for these titles in a more justifiable manner than throwing two random people together for a Tag match.

In principal the dual brand system works perfectly for WWE, as it allows them to sell their product in two places at once in terms of house shows, and lets them be on TV on Monday and Friday nights which brings in more money. Also, as there are precious few people in the title picture as it is at the moment, then guys lower down the roster like Yoshi Tatsu, Zack Ryder, Golddust, Chris Masters, Chavo, et cetera who are all capable of putting on a match, but are so far out away from a title shot that if their limited air time was to be reduced even further then they would be future endeavoured to safe the WWE money.

I could see the arguement if the IC and US titles were to be unified and re-named, to bring back a Crusier Weight style championship as these belts and stars could fight interchangably on either roster, but in order to keep both brands each needs its own World Champion

This is why making him win at Mania was meaningless. He had tweeted hints of retirement before Mania itself, and the WWE should have - for once in the last 4 years - made the Rumble winner look credible at Mania by winning for a change.

Whilst I agree that retiring the title would be wrong, I was under the impression that Edge didn't/doesn't use Twitter?

 

[BigDaddyKewl]

They have invested so much time and money in the old WCW title over the past few years why would they just scrap it? It is the second most pretigious title next to the WWE title so why fix what is not broke? Its a title that actually means something and is not going anywhere.