WWE Hall of Famer and AEW announcer Jim Ross was in the pessimistic camp when it came to Edge joining AEW. If you were to say that Edge was a WWE loyalist, you probably wouldn’t be wrong. Promotion loyalty is something you would see in Japan or Mexico where there has always been a constant second or third choice on par with a wrestler’s home promotion.
Jim Ross Didn’t See Edge Coming to AEW
This wasn’t always the case in the U.S. At different times WWE had a competing or rising promotion to deal with but have typically been the company to weather the storm and thrive. Edge officially joined WWE in 1997 as a developmental talent after getting supplemental training alongside Mark Henry, Ken Shamrock, Test and later on his best friend Christian under Bret Hart.
Even factoring in the time away from the ring both for retirement and rehabbing injuries, Edge has logged in over 15 years with WWE out of a career of almost 23 years. One person who was there for most of that 15 years is AEW commentator Jim Ross.
Ross is a wrestling personality who is familiar with how WWE and the industry operates. When changes happen he either adapts or go along with it to the best of his ability. JR also knows the allure and strength of WWE: a large reach for national and global exposure and deep pockets. While AEW has deep pockets it’s still trying to solidify the first part to where it’s on par with WWE.
At the time it looked as though Edge was really wrapping it up on his career as he took on Sheamus on the 8/18 edition of SmackDown from Toronto. He called it his final match in Toronto and his contract was up at the end of September 2023.
Before arriving, there was the belief he would sign to AEW has he has some good friends there including Christian. Edge denied that he and WWE weren’t coming to terms on a contract and added that he might retire again.
JR is in the camp of “Edge isn’t coming.” On Grillin’ JR, he said there wasn’t much discussion about Edge potentially arriving in AEW and views it as a “long shot at best”:
“I mean, but how about Edge vs Kenny Omega, Edge vs Will Ospreay. There are many ways you can capitalize on this, but I haven’t heard anything. I don’t even know if it’s feasible. I have heard through the grapevine that WWE has an offer on the table for him. It is a significant one, as it should be. I don’t know, but it’s a long shot at best that [Edge] comes to work for AEW.” (h/t: Ringside News)
Did you predict Edge signing with AEW or did you believe he would re-sign with WWE? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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