On Edge: Edge's retirement this past Monday on Raw was a shocking surprise. I had no idea that it was going to happen even up until the time Edge came to the ring and gave us the emotional news. There are no wrestlers in the business that I respect more as a performer and a man than I do Adam Copeland aka Edge. When I signed him in the 90's, he was a lanky, over achieving kid who simply wanted to live his dream of making it onto the WWE Roster. He and Christian were like brothers and both fed off the other in the ring as they each worked diligently every day to improve their game. I honestly can't remember a single day when Adam Copeland ever did anything to disappoint me or cause our department or company any problems.
Edge has a brilliant mind, a kind soul, patience, and would be a great teacher, producer, broadcaster, scout, or whatever task he may want to undertake in WWE. I look for Edge to take some much needed time away from the business and enjoy the North Carolina mountains and his dogs that he loves so much. He deserves no less than to return to WWE in whatever role that creates a win/win for Edge and the company but only whenever Edge is ready to re-engage.
In my role as the head of WWE Talent, I signed many athletes/performers who ended up excelling in WWE but none, and I mean no one, was more of a pure joy to work with and to watch grow from a mid card, tag team wrestler into one of WWE's most prominent and enduring superstars who will no doubt be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame some day.
I shutter to think what would have happened to Edge in another generation of the biz as it relates to accurately diagnosing his injury. Most old timers would have 'worked through it,' or attempted to do so, until their body completely shut down. That's sad and unnecessary. Modern medicine and the WWE attention to such matters regarding their talent's health were a blessing for Edge who will now be able to lead a somewhat normal life. I am especially pleased that one of my guys has attained financial independence and that he was able to live his boyhood dream.
Notwithstanding the touching farewell address by the popular native of Ontario, no one can debate that this story did not have a happy ending. Good things more often than not happen to good people and Adam Copeland aka Edge was one of the truly 'good guys' I ever had the privilege of knowing in the business. Now, Adam, if he so chooses, can start phase two of his WWE life and potentially gift the younger talents with his wonderful knowledge and passion for the genre.
Do it on your schedule Adam. Enjoy those North Carolina mountains and reflect upon a job well done. It's people like you that make me extremely proud to be in the business.
On The Next Legends Round Table: There's a new Legends Roundtable that debuted this week on WWE On Demand regarding the Canadian Effect on wrestling. I've already got some email and Twitter feedback from those that have seen it and liked it. There's no way to possibly get to all the great, Canadian talents in one show nor do I have any thing to do with the editing process of these very popular broadcasts. Invariably someone will ask,"Why didn't you talk more about Whipper Billy Watson" and so forth. Time restraints and the editing process are the primary reasons. It certainly isn't a respect issue.
On The Dynamite Kid: We get lots of questions about the Dynamite Kid here on this site. Every year around the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony, Dynamite's name pops up quite often. Cutting to the chase: 1. I have zero to do with the WWE HOF and have less than zero influence as to who is inducted 2. I have NO IDEA if or when Dynamite Kid will ever be inducted but I have my doubts 3. Tommy Billington aka Dynamite Kid was a helluva in ring hand and WAY ahead of his time and arguably one of the best in ring performers of any era and 4. Dynamite is considered by many of his peers to have not been a great person behind the scenes as in he was allegedly a mean spirited guy. For the record, I never knew Tommy and only met him once a few years ago in the UK and it was sad to see him wheelchair bound. It's easy for one to be bitter when they've been dealt a challenging hand like that.
