For The Record 05.03.09: Will Edge Turn FACE?
Posted by Kristopher Rodriguez on 05.03.2009
It's probably only a matter of time...
Edge has been very successful as a heel. In the past three years he's won nine world titles. He has headlined pay-per-views and competed in two straight Wrestlemania World Heavyweight Championship matches.
Edge is a traditional heel. He's cowardly. He can't defeat main event opponents without cheating. And his character has no redeeming qualities.
There's no reason why any fan would want to emulate Edge. He's compulsive, paranoid, and obsessed. The Edge character is one of vice, devoid of temperance. One would think that a character like that would be impossible to cheer. However…
Edge could be a top "face" in short order. Despite his villainous qualities, Edge is very charismatic. He's got a personality that fans respond to. And over time, WWE may discover that the "Rated R Superstar" can draw louder cheers than boos.
To put it plainly: Edge is "cooler" than those he feuds with. For starters, Edge is given one of the best entrance songs in wrestling. The intensity of the music is not one to draw a chorus of boos. His music demands a loud, emotional reaction.
But besides the entrance music, Edge is also easy to cheer because though he's unethical, he's still a winner. However, before we go on, a point of clarity is probably in order. Edge might not be the first choice as a top face for younger WWE audiences. They still cheer for John Cena and Rey Mysterio because they're both virtuous and ethical. But for the older, more sophisticated (or jaded) fans, Edge is the "cool" anti-hero.
Let us recall again that Edge is a nine-time world champion. All of those title wins were the result of luck. Edge didn't earn those belts in the kayfabe sense. He seized those titles in underhanded fashions. But thanks to Eddie Guerrero, Edge's actions aren't quite so despicable.
Eddie Guerrero popularized the wrestling mantra of "lie, cheat, and steal." Guerrero made no allusions of the fact that he was willing to use shortcuts to get ahead. And while his approach was far from heroic, the fans loudly supported Guerrero nonetheless. Edge's strategy to winning titles is merely a variation of Guerrero's. Therefore, why would fans be angered by Edge's dishonesty when they were excited about Guerrero's? Guerrero made it possible for fans to support a guy like Edge.
But besides the fact that Edge is somewhat Guerrero-like, let us also recall that...
Edge's title wins have been very creative. Just look at how he's won titles the past six months. At Survivor Series, he snuck into the Triple H-Kozlov match and won the WWE Championship after Vickie Guerrero made it a triple threat match. Edge lost the title at Armageddon, only to win it back at the Royal Rumble after the Matt Hardy heel turn. Edge then lost the WWE Championship match at No Way Out, only to sneak into the closing World Heavyweight Championship match and win the title. Edge would go on to lose his championship at Wrestlemania, only to win it back at Backlash.
Edge has been involved in world title changes in six straight pay-per-views… a WWE record. Edge has been involved in many relevant and fresh WWE moments over the past year. He's one of WWE's movers and shakers that always finds a way to capture the spotlight. Fans enjoy wrestlers that give them shocking moments, whether the grappler is a face or not.
In Conclusion
Veteran wrestling fans seem naturally predisposed to cheer for a wrestler like Edge. If used correctly, Edge could make WWE a lot of money off of the older audience.
Edge is already a popular wrestler that, if given the opportunity, could move tons of merchandise. He is very marketable, and has reached a level where he could sell a pay-per-view based on his main event status alone.
The irony of Edge and John Cena's positions in WWE is that both may be more effective in opposite roles. Cena could become WWE's best heel in over a decade if he turned. And Edge could become WWE's best face since the Attitude Era. We'll just have to see what happens. Perhaps over the next few years, WWE will pull the trigger on an Edge face turn. It would be a decision that WWE would not regret.
Good call, Edge could easily have a face run with Vicky on the other show now, hes a cool carracter face or heel & wouldnt need to change his carracter at all & i would love to see him have a fued with Jericho a few months down the line.
Posted By: jbardo (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 10:58 AM
I think the thing with Edge is that he has done some incredibly insane things to win matches (Foley burning table) and all the TLC matches.
So though he is "the ultimate oppourtunist" to quote Michael Cole. He is also the one true heel who is obsessed to the death.
I don't think there is another real heel in the WWE, even Jericho and Orton, who is so ruthlessly determined and borderline suicidal as him.
Even in his feud with the Undertaker (and Foly to some extent) it came down to pride and his love of wrestling and being the top dog and at the end of the day, even though he lost to the Undertaker at HitC, he took everything the dead man could give him and apart from Shawn Michaels I've never someone be so resiliant to the dead man.
Okay he cheats to win but when backed into a corner Edge will fight to the death and that's the beauty of his character.
Posted By: prankstar (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:03 PM
WWE babyfaces are boring and lack charisma, WWE only puts backing behind heels when it comes to charater development.
Posted By: Guest#2014 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:09 PM
You're a fucking moron Kris, the only reason this arguement is being given is because Stone Cold playing the anit-hero being atop the WWE worked lets not forget that was all timing so who says it will have any success yet again.
You and this website rep a small portion of the fan base. Just because this small portion of the fanbase doesn't like Cena doesn't mean he should be a a heel. He makes them too much money.
Don't you think if the WWE thought there was more money to be made in reversing these guys, they would do it? How about some common fucking sense you fuckin smark.
Just because things have worked under SLIGHTY similar circumstances doesn't mean it's destined to work again.
Grow a brain. While you're at it grow some dignity as well and tell this website you don't deserve to right for them. You make me sick.
Posted By: Justin (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:25 PM
You're missing the point somewhat.
Fans mostly hate Edge because he allegedly stole that Dolt Matt Hardys girlfriend..
Boo hoo.
Posted By: Propagandhi (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:25 PM
people tend to forget how over Edge was as a face before he hurt his neck
Posted By: Guest#9743 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:30 PM
"And Edge could become WWE's best face since the Attitude Era."
Dude! That would reek of awesomeness!
Posted By: you think you know me (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:30 PM
My only concern would be that WWE would push for Edge to become more watered-down, like they did with the Rock, probably their greatest example of the fans turning a heel face (and then back to heel when the watered-down face Rock schtick got boring).
I think the best way to do this without changing the Edge character is to have someone (Cena in a heel turn would be best) beat the holy hell out of Christian, which allows Edge to continue his vendetta against Cena, but showing that it's warranted (the concern for his long-time friend and tag team partner). Use this vendetta to alienate Vickie Guerrero, one of the most hated characters in the WWE, and you've instantly created more sympathy than if he remains with Vickie.
Posted By: Wyatt Beougher (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Putting short sentences.
Then gaps
Does not make a column appear longer...
I don't think Edge would work as an edgy (pun intended) face. He was trying to be the cool face before he turned heel and the reason he draws heat is because he's so despicable. There's a difference to Eddie's playful cheating and Edge's intense manipulation and wild eyed obsession.
Posted By: Jonberg (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I thought Edge was a decent babyface some years back, but being a heel is what really established him as a main-eventer. He's so good as a heel that I don't know if I could envision him as a babyface again. That being said, he's a great worker and awesome on the mic, so anything is possible.
Posted By: Nick M. (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:40 PM
"Eddie Guerrero popularized the wrestling mantra of "lie, cheat, and steal." Guerrero made no allusions to the fact that he was willing to use shortcuts to get ahead."
First, you mean "illusions of," not "allusions to." Second, he made plenty of "allusions" to the fact that he lied, cheated, and stole. I believe it was even on his t-shirts.
Posted By: You suck (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:42 PM
totally agree, it would be really interesting if he turned fdace and cena turned heel (especially the later in my opinion)
Posted By: A (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Everyone is clamoring for a John Cena heel turn, but I think they should go the Hogan route and wait, like, 10 years to turn him heel, and make it happen out of nowhere.
Posted By: Joel Yeomans (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 03:07 PM
it's spelled character.
Posted By: spell checker (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Jericho/Edge would be amazing, both have good in ring ability and can give great promos
Posted By: Ojj (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 03:26 PM
I think it's hilarious how idiotic the WWE is when dealing with heels and faces. They're so terrified of having their faces get booed that all the faces are allowed to do is walk to the ring and politely smile to the crowd. They're not allowed to be funny or make jokes for fear of insulting anyone...not allowed to have character depth for fear of turning off the dumber fans...not allowed to do much at all. There's pretty much no reason to cheer for those bland, uninteresting face characters. The heels are the only ones with any characterization because they don't have to worry about alienating anyone from liking the character. If (when) Edge turns face, it'll be like every face turn before him. He'll lose every likable trait he had and turn into another bland, generic face.
Posted By: Pwnage (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 03:52 PM
One thing needs to happen before I even consider Edge turning face, Smackdown having a heel as big as he is now. In case you forgot, Edge is for the most part Smackdown's only big heel.
Posted By: Paleb05 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 04:01 PM
i've always said this to be the case, but no way will it happen any time soon. edge is one of the best heels in th biz right now.
but in the next 4-5 years we'll be saying the 'ultimate opportunist' as fondly as the 'dirtiest player in the game'.... woooo
Posted By: dave-o (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Edge is the best heel on the roster last time I watched (been a while, but I mostly keep up still through recaps) and if they turn Edge face, A, they'll change everything about him. B, they'll lose there go-to heel. C, who's going to replace him? D, it would screw up their MITB match. E, who'll make John Cena look like a face on TV when the crowd inevitably starts to turn on him again and they have to bring in Edge to get his cheering section refreshed?
But then again, seeing as it makes no sense what so ever, I won't be surprised if it happens.
-Mike
Posted By: RanmaSolo (Registered) on May 03, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Edge will eventually be a face for several reasons:
First, the longer audiences are exposed to wrestlers, the more audiences tend to like them. Before anyone jumps my shit, focus on the key word "tend." Audiences learn about these characters, and whether they truly identify with them or not, they get to know them - and it's hard to hate something you know (or in Edge's theme song, if "you think you know" him) and understand. Plus, wrestling fans tend to respect veterans. They respect the sacrifices they've made to entertain us,the memorable moments they've provided, and the skills they have honed. It's hard for veterans to stay heel for long, especially when they have the requisite charisma and mat skills.
Next, we have to discuss the nostalgia factor. No matter how well anyone thinks the Edge & Christian split went, those two are forever inextricably linked. With Christian's individual return also comes those old thoughts and feelings - not only of the "Captain Charisma" gimmick, Tomko partnership, or tutelage by DDP; but also of 5-second poses, TLC matches, goofy sunglasses, etc... Deep down, people want to see Edge and Christian back together. Think back to how HHH could get a nice audience reaction by doing a crotch chop, even though he was a top heel at the time. People's desires to have things the way they used to be sometimes supersedes their feelings of how things currently are.
Posted By: The Logical One (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Uh, I'm pretty sure he used "allusion" correctly. But, I'm just saying...
Posted By: Dwayne (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 04:47 PM
edge is the only heel to get universally booed while feuding with john cena. that is why the wwe has kept those to at it for so long.
i have read interviews where he states why he feels he is an effective heel. unlike other main event bad guys in wrestling(ie hhh, angle, jarrett, jericho). he doesnt mind getting cheap wins. he doesnt have to dominate to get heat.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 05:04 PM
I think they have already teased an Edge Face Turn at times over the past year, especially when he was on the outs with Vickie Guerrero last summer and (more recently) after the Big Show affair reveal. Yet, at the same time, McMahonagement seems reluctant to pull the trigger on it, probably because they KNOW Edge would NEED be an antihero in the mold of Roddy Piper and Stone Cold Steve Austin for it to work. Since making an antihero Edge work in a "TV-PG" environment could be VERY DIFFICULT without neutering his character (the same way they neutered John Cena's antihero image to make him more "kid friendly"), it makes sense that WWE wants to "test the waters" and gauge audience reactions to a possible Edge Face Turn before pulling the trigger on one; besides, there is still probably some milage left with Heel Edge against Jeff Hardy, C.M. Punk, Rey Mysterio, and possibly even a Face Triple H (though based on audiance reactions Trip's Face Act is growing stale again).
As a result, I DO NOT think we will see an Edge Face Turn... YET. Over the next 6-12 months it could happen though. A feud with Chris Jericho later this summer/fall could be the vehicle that results in a full fledged Face Turn, though both Edge and Jericho are charismatic enough to make a Heel/Heel "shades of gray" Feud work; Edge could simply be "the lesser of two evils" instead of doing a full fledged Face Turn.
Instead, I would wait until WrestleMania 26 and program Edge against a "more Heelish but still Face" TRIPLE H, with Edge cutting promos EXPOSING Trip's backstage politics and abuse of powers. If done correctly, it could result in a very memorable DOUBLE TURN similar to Austin/Hart at WrestleMania 13. Then down the road McMahonagement could pull the trigger on a long overdue JOHN CENA Heel Turn (preferably as a "Corporate Champ") and reignite the Edge/Cena feud one more time.
Posted By: Guest#1696 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 05:33 PM
An Edge/Cena doubleturn would be awesome, but barring that Edge only needs to be put it in a feud with Jericho to become the biggest face in the WWE.
Anyone else miss Rated RKO?
Posted By: Save.Us_Y2J (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Wow is Justin the biggest fucking crybaby or what?
Posted By: Guest#0748 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 05:50 PM
"Illusion", not "allusion". Eddie constantly alluded to the fact that he was willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get a title. In fact, it was even a slogan.
I think, later in the year, a Christian-Edge double turn would be good. Something done over a period of months. If it must have some stuff for kids, through intense competition he can learn to be a better man and not be manic and paranoid. He might even learn how not to overact emotion.
Posted By: Guest#4667 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:06 PM
He'll turn sooner or later, who wants to be JUST a face or JUST a heel forever? Edge is a student of the business, and I can see him one day turned face again, if even just to lighten his character up a bit and get back some of his Awesome Reek with Christian.
Posted By: M:-X (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:09 PM
I think if Edge turns, it has to involve Christian. Think about it: Bringing back the 5 second poses, the awkward humor (on a brand that could easily support it with Jericho, Charlie Haas, CM Punk, and Khali), and some solid in-ring stuff could totally make Edge work as a heel.
If they wanted to long-term book Edge to turn face, a great way to do it would have been for a heel CM Punk to steal the title from a SmackDown guy (probably someone like Jeff Hardy) at the December PPV, then leading to the angle of Edge going nuts without a world title on the show, leading to him winning the Royal Rumble and taking a title back from a big heel (Orton, a heel CM Punk) at Wrestlemania.
Posted By: DL (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I said this a while ago now about Edge turning face. And it wouldn't be hard to start a great feud with Jericho. Problem is that both guys don't want to lose their heel status. They both love it. But one of them is gonna have to suck it up for the year while in Smackdown. It would be sweet to see Edge do a year of face, get drafted to RAW next year, then turn heel on RAW. That would be good.
Posted By: Tubby (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:16 PM
The WWE is currently at the moment where the want to keep a clear "yet sometimes confusing" balance between face and heels for their PG audience. They have put themselves in a bit of a problem if they were to decide to turn one of they top face into heels or heels into a face. They made the gamble with Jericho, but only because the reaction from the crowds wasnt as expected.
With the brand extentions and the overload of big name faces on RAW, Edge is basically SD only viable heel. On RAW Orton is currently the biggest heel, even though in certain one on one matches against a face i.e. John Cena in recent memory, his gotten some pretty big POPs.
Its true that a certain group of wrestling fans, especially those from the Attitude era, love the anti-hero ie. Stone Cold Steve Austin. WWE needs more dynamic wrestlers that can play both heels asswell as face and still be excepted by the crowd. Only a few names ring a bell (Austin, HHH, Undertaker and a few more) but the one that constantly rings in my mind is The Rock. During The Rock vs Hogan 2 and The Rock vs Austin 3 he was seen as the heel, during the build up to The Rock vs Goldberg, the tide turned and The Rock actually got a bigger POP then Goldberg. As people truly saw him as the anti-hero at that stage.
Posted By: Brandon (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:26 PM
I think that a face EDGE vs a HEEL CM PUNK would make for an awesome fued, Edge doesn't have to change much if punk is allowed to be the heel he was in ROH, and the indy's the straight edge i'm better then you punk would rule against an Edge who is like everyone else that indulges every now and then, and takes shortcuts to get on top, I think that would be the money fued for the next few months even up untill wrestlemania with Punk cashing in MITB
Posted By: Eric (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Eddie was cunning and drippingly insincere.
Edge is ruthless and maniacal.
Eddie often broke rules in ways that showed a quirky personality while challenging cliches and expectations.
Edge reinvents rules to spoil the game for everyone else, is excessive and antagonizes anyone he isn't able to use.
Eddie cheated on his own merit, cowering but rarely hiding completely from a challenge.
Edge cheats through cohorts, politics and leveraging power while waiting like a vulture to pick champions apart.
When calm, Eddie usually had limits. Edge never exhibits any moral boundaries.
I'm not saying Edge couldn't go face, because if Triple H could (even forcibly) so could anyone. I just don't think it will be with this version of Edge's character which, unlike Eddie Guerrero's, isn't fun in any way. He's just a bastard. It'd take a very particular story to get Edge cheered, then a suppressing of his worst heel characteristics (like Triple H did) to keep Edge a face. Edge has been funny in the past, but I somehow doubt we'll see Edge's current character turn funny, sympathetic or 'edgy' likable anytime soon.
Posted By: Reaper (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:50 PM
The only true way that edge could be used as a face would be to have (to use a baseball term) a double switch. While I as many would enjoy seeing cena turn heel he sells to much merchandise and is way to over to risk that much money, which is what the business is all about. Now with a midcarder coming up to challenge for the world title or a feud with a way over face that is tired of the ultimate opportunist win by his cheating ways and starts to win like edge does you could effectivly switch the face/heel roles of each person and keep the character the same as the edge would lose to his old tricks and would then be backed into the corner and have to fight his way out of it. This would make edge over by giving him some clean wins and make him less despicable and make the opponent a viabale heel by showing that edge's trick would work with any wrestler. Now finding a wrestler to take edges place as a top tier heel would take serious looking into but if vince would give a midcarder a chance he could find his next big thing being made with little work as they would even have to have great mic worl to maintain the opportunist persona.
Posted By: UnKl HonKi (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 06:53 PM
We really need a comedic face, Smackdown already has Jericho to play the heel role. Christian was right, it's time for Edge to be 'fun' again.
Posted By: jayt11 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 07:24 PM
First, you mean "illusions of," not "allusions to." Second, he made plenty of "allusions" to the fact that he lied, cheated, and stole. I believe it was even on his t-shirts.
nope, it's allusions. Allusion is a reference, illusion is an incorrect perception.
Posted By: Guest#6707 (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 07:59 PM
The only way I could see Edge turing face right now is if Jericho(being he's the only other heel on Smackdown the fans won't cheer by any means) beats the HOLY HELL out of Edge at some point causing Edge to be "put out of action". That would allow Edge to take the time off he was reportedly seeking.
Then Edge comes back as an anti-hero tweener type character(at first, probably turning full-flegged face later down the road) and goes after Jericho.
I wouldn't mind seeing that feud.
Posted By: SU_RKO (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Spelling or grammer issues aside(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allusions)
Good article as a whole.
Quick side rant
Grow a brain. While you're at it grow some dignity as well and tell this website you don't deserve to right for them. You make me sick.
Posted By: Justin (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Telling someone to grow a brain then immediately making a typo like right when you mean write automatically make's your point invalid and makes you stupider.
I realized your inability to express these intense emotion's to everyone that bullies you in your day to day life makes you very angry,and treatment is available for you.
It's up to you friend,all you have to do is reach out,it's a hand up not a hand out.
There my diatribe of the troll's is done for today.
Now as to the point of edge being made face,if it were handled properly i would be all for it,but no matter the initial reaction they would need to stick with it-unlike the infamous Stone Cold turn that was just dropped when reactions were not as expected,the same with randy orton's multiple time face turns.
All dropped at the first hint of them not going according to plan,this particular reaction should be expected if you look at it logically, it's a large deviation of the current mold.
As the Cena turn,well that is not an opinion that is actually fact.
Come with me on a journey back a few years friends back,i know this is hard for wrestling fans especially but please try and keep up(especially you Justin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEvxqKPTC2Q
This is a time when Cena was a heel,and was very over,this is a huge part of what made Cena.
Posted By: Showster (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 08:40 PM
It is definitely time to swap a few sides..
Cena is a tough call as of yet, but I can def. see Edge as a face and CM Punk as a heel. That would give Smackdown Punk, Morrison, and Jericho as top heels with Shelton not far behind. Edge, Jeff, and Rey as faces. It balances the show nicely.
Set it up like this..Christian makes a title defense on ppv, and Punk comes out teasing his MITB case. Instead, he decides to attack Christian and start beating him down, garnering heel heat. Cue Edge for the save, an E&C reunion of sorts and you have a nice double turn.
Punk could come out the next night and explain his attacks on Christian as jealousy. Punk had to work up the ladder to the ECW title, where Christian can leave for two years, come back, and shoot right to the top. Punk will claim he's better than Christian cause he works hard and don't induldge. This will begin the roots of his ROH-like heel character. They again brawl with Edge making another save.
If you really wanna get creative, Christian would then take offense to Edge saving him two nights in a row and in turn attack Edge himself! This sets up both Punk and Christian going heel (which I feel they are both suited) and Edge becoming a face in the eyes of the fans. Book It Now!
Posted By: Skiddy (Guest) on May 04, 2009 at 03:37 AM
Edge and Christian did not need to be faces to be funny. They were funny as asshole heels. Maybe even funnier.
Posted By: Guest#4452 (Guest) on May 04, 2009 at 04:23 AM
The only way I could see Edge turing face right now is if Jericho(being he's the only other heel on Smackdown the fans won't cheer by any means) beats the HOLY HELL out of Edge at some point causing Edge to be "put out of action". That would allow Edge to take the time off he was reportedly seeking.
Then Edge comes back as an anti-hero tweener type character(at first, probably turning full-flegged face later down the road) and goes after Jericho.
I wouldn't mind seeing that feud.
Posted By: SU_RKO (Guest) on May 03, 2009 at 08:02 PM
I agree with you 100%.
Posted By: JLAJRC (Guest) on May 04, 2009 at 06:31 PM
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