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March 24, 2009

Top 25 WrestleMania stars: No. 13

EDGE

edge.jpgWrestleMania history

16 (2000): Along with Christian, defeated WWF tag team champions The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz in a ladder match to win the title
17 (2001): Along with Christian, defeated WWF tag team champions The Dudley Boys and The Hardy Boyz in a TLC match to win the title
18 (2002): Defeated Booker T
21 (2005): Won the Money in the Bank ladder match. Other participants were: Chris Benoit, Kane, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho and Christian.
22 (2006): Defeated Mick Foley in a hardcore match
23 (2007): Lost the Money in the Bank ladder match to Mr. Kennedy. Other participants in the match were: C.M. Punk, King Booker, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton and Finlay.
24 (2008): Lost the world heavyweight title to The Undertaker

Comments: Was a participant in WrestleMania's first tag team ladder match, TLC tag team match and Money in the Bank ladder match -- and he was on the winning end in each of them. ... He and Foley engaged in an intense hardcore match at WM 22 that climaxed with one of the most memorable holy you-know-what moments in WrestleMania history, as Edge speared Foley off the ring apron and they both went through a flaming table on the floor. ... Wrestled in tremendous match with The Undertaker that went on last at WM 24.


I will count down the top 25 stars in WrestleMania history every day through April 5.

To view the list through today, click here.

Posted by Kevin Eck at 2:36 PM | | Comments (19)
Categories: Top 25 WrestleMania stars
        

Comments

How in the blue hell is Edge above Kurt Angle???? He has been in ONE main event. Angle was in three WrestleMania main events, and all of them were for WWE/world heavyweight championship. Not to mention he was in one of the best matches in WrestleMania history when he beat "MR. WrestleMania" Shawn Michaels who's probably #1 on your list.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think I made the case for Edge pretty clear in the comments. And he's only one spot ahead. As far as Angle being in three main events, it's true that he was in three world title matches, but he only went on last (the main event position) once -- the same as Edge.

I'd go with Edge above Angle as well. Beyond main events, I'd look at how the matches contributed to the card in general. Edge's performance in any match involving a ladder at Wrestlemania lended itself tremendously to memorable mania moments, whereas some of Angle's 'mania matches would best be forgotten. In fact, I'm guessing Kurt has probably forgotten some of those Wrestlemania matches, especially the one against Lesnar (considering how doped-up Kurt claimed to be).

Kevin , first let me say I respect your opinion and wrestling knowledge . But I don't want to be in your shoes at all the next few days fielding the comments such as Bill's and a few prior to that regarding your , ahem , eventual selection of you know who at #1 . ( you may surprise us all though)
It's all in fun and this is "your" opinion but people have strong opinions of their own , and of course "theirs" is the right one .

I think this spot is about right for Edge, and i don't have a problem with him being above Kurt (who i believe is and has been (for at least five years) the best worker in the world).

Edge stole the show in the tag team ranks at his early WM's, and then managed to make the transition into singles main eventer in a relatively short space of time.

The quality of Edge's work, his versatility and massive rise are enough to justify this position in the countdown.

i like this pick even though i think that Edge is top 10 him being in 2 revolutionary matches like the first 2TLC's & the First MIB matches overshadow that he has been in 1 main event because to me for the mostpart the 2 TLC may have been the best matches on the card same might be said about the fort MIB and his match Taker last year was great along with his hardcore match with Foley did not see the match with Booker but as you can see Edge always puts on a great show thats why to me he's the best heel going in probably the last 5 to 6 years

I think that Edge could be much higher on the list. I'll reserve judgment until I see who's higher on the list than him, but he was in the main event position once, and was in arguably the most memorable match on the card five other times (depending on how much you like ladder matches).

I can't arguee this one Eck as I also put Edge in the # 13 spot.He as provided more than one "Holy you-know-what" moment at Mania.Spearing Jeff Hardy out of mid air in TLC,Jeff Hardy falling from the top of the ladder onto a prone Edge and of course the aforementioned spear thru the flaming table.It's nice to see he doesn't have to do stuff like that anymore and he's getting recognized for his ring work, not high spots.Last years match with the UT proved that.

Love Edge, and we were only a few spots off.

My #13 is The Ultimate Warrior. 4-1 with a run-in save of Hogan at WM 8. Name me someone who has pinned Hogan, Savage, & HHH. Certainly wasn't the best worker, but did have an exciting run in his early WWE years. Comeback, not so much...

Not to digress but I would have put Andre at #24 or #25 (I'm assuming he won't be on the list). WM - Body slam match against stud had good build up. He won the football/wrestler battle royal at WM2. He main-evented arguably the biggest (not best) main event in WM history with Hogan. Andre was one of the main players in WM4's tournament. WM5 he fought Jake the Snake which ended a long feud. WM6 he lost the tag team title but turned face. That's not a bad resume. I think that's better than Jake's or Steamboat's.

#13??!!! No way is he in the top five but, come on, how is he not top ten?

Edge should be higher on this list.

I think ur countdown till now has been domianted by wrestlers from present generation and guys who are still in active wrestling. I am curious how u are going to balance ur remaining picks between current and yesteryears superstars

This might sound a stupid question but where was edge between mania's 19 and 20?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Injured.

Bad News. Andre, like Hogan, solidified WM. Having him #24 or 25 is a disprace to his legend.

Personally, I agree with Bill that Kurt Angle should be above Edge. I mean if you look at the criteria, Angle should be higher.

--memorable moments at WrestleMania

Edge (4): TLC, spearing Folly through the fire table, MitB, and match with Taker
Angle (4): match with Benoit (the WWE has it as one of it's top 10 Mania matches on a show hosted by Ric Flair a few years ago), match with Lesnar, match with Guerrero, match with Michaels. All of these were at least four star matches.

-- impact on business
Given that Angle was in three WWE/world title matches to one for Edge, Angle has to win this. The two WWE/world title matches are the biggest part of what makes money for WrestleMania. And it's also common knowledge that the company puts the championship on the hottest guy or the guy who is making the most money and Angle was the champion in two Manias, Edge one.

-- position on the card
Clearly Angle wins this because he was in one match that went on last, and two others that were second to last (not to mention his match with HBK that was near the end). Edge only has one match that went on last.

-- number of appearances
Edge wins this narrowly 7 to 6.

So that's two categories for Angle, one for Edge, and one tie. Not to mention that Edge's moments for TLC and MitB involved many other wrestlers who contributed. All of Angle's were just with him and one other person.

Just my thoughts...

He's probably the only one who exceeds expectations at every Wrestlemania. He outperforms himself at every wrestlemania. He reminds a quote from Rowdy Piper. "Just when you thought you knew the answers, I changed the question".
In the end, all I can say is Rated R era has just begun. Cheers to my current fav. wrestler along with Jericho.

You think you know me!

Matt. I agree. I think Andre should be high on the list. I'm just saying that if he's not on the list that wouldn't be right because he's easily more deserving than, at a minimum, the bottom wrestlers on the list.

I guess I could see Edge being a little higher than this, but this is certainly good for him. Now we just need to convince Vince and Co. that he should win his match this year because he is a way better wrestler than Big Show and Cena, and has definitely earned the right to win a main event at 'Mania. GO EDGE!!!

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About Kevin Eck
The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck blogs about professional wrestling.
E-mail Kevin.
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