Floridian: King of Ring title gives him the Edge

King of Ring title gives him the Edge

By JIM VARSALLONE

One day he has a dream job working at a bikini shop in Wasaga Beach, and the next he is living a dream wearing the King's crown in a WWF ring.

Adam Copeland is on the edge, literally and figuratively, as talented WWF superstar Edge. At 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, this Canadian-born talent receives rave reviews from the voice of the WWF, Jim Ross.

Ross is not the only voice singing Edge's praises. Evidence: Copeland recently won the WWF King of the Ring Tournament, beating Rhyno in the semis and defending champ Kurt Angle in the finals. Past winners include Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Angle. The King of the Ring is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

"It's always elevated someone who is right at the doorstep, kind of knocking at the door," said Edge. "It probably shows the winner is ready for it. Those who have won in the past didn't drop the ball."

Edge's friend Christian more than held his own, reaching the King of the Ring semifinals and losing to Angle. "You had people scratching their heads wondering what was going to happen," Edge said. "People were predicting Christian and I would meet in the tournament. It made for interesting television and storylines."

Coining the phrases Totally Rad, Double Gold and Magnitutions -- Edge and Christian have really brought their own brand of humor to the WWF. It is a far cry from the original stoic Edge character that debuted in the WWF.

Edge entered the WWF mysteriously. Wearing a trench coat, walking into the ring through the crowd and saying nothing, Edge's actions spoke louder than words.

"Originally, I had meetings with Vince Russo about what he thought the character should be," Edge said. "I didn't really like what I was hearing from him. I was going to be this '90s, millennium version of Jim Morrison. I didn't know what that was, but I know it wasn't me.

Copeland nearly became Rage or Riot. "I thought, Oh geez. I really don't like that either," he said. "I came up with Edge and pitched it, and they liked it. That was the first step. Then, when I first came into the WWF, I didn't know what I was. I was Edge, but I didn't know, and I don't think the office knew anymore than that what the character was supposed to be. So, I let it evolve by itself."

The creation of the Brood (Edge, Christian and Gangrel) helped evolve Edge. "The Brood was a good thing," he said. 'I thought it was very cool with the music and the entrance (rising from under the platform), and I was working with two guys who I enjoyed working with. It made me feel more comfortable.

"I went from being out there on my own, not having a clue -- character-wise -- what I was doing, to being in the Brood. It made the transition easier."

A former WWF Intercontinental champ, Edge today is more reflective of Copeland. "I like to joke around and have fun," Edge said. "Sure, I like to be serious sometimes, but for the most part, I'm joking around and laughing. That translates well into the character now because that's more me. "Obviously, I'm not quite that goofy, but it works better, and that's why it has succeeded. If you are comfortable doing something, it's going to show on television."

Not just all fun and games, Edge and Christian have proved their ring skills, recording excellent tag matches against the Dudley Boyz and Hardy Boys.

UPCOMING EVENT: The "Super Junior Open" presented by NWA Florida, is 7:30 Tuesday at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, 504 N Howard Ave. in Tampa. It crowns independent wrestling's top super junior heavyweight. Tickets are $10, $12 and $15 through Ticketmaster. Phone (813) 287-8844 in Tampa or (727) 898-2100 in St. Petersburg.

- Pro wrestling columnist Jim Varsallone can be reached at wrestling@tampabay.com.