Edge, the WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated wrestlers in history, celebrated his 25th anniversary in WWE with a special edition of SmackDown on August 18, 2023.
The show was held at the Scotiabnk Arena in Toronto, Canada, the same city where Edge made his WWE debut in 1998. Edge was greeted by a loud ovation from the fans, who chanted his name and sang along to his iconic theme song.
Edge addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support throughout his career. He said that he was proud of his accomplishments, but he was not done yet. He said that he still had one more goal in mind: to become the WWE Universal Champion. He said that he had earned a title shot by winning the 2023 Royal Rumble, and he was ready to face Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.
However, before he could finish his speech, he was interrupted by Sheamus, who mocked Edge for being old and washed up. Sheamus said that Edge was living in the past, and that he was the present and future of WWE. He said that he deserved a title shot more than Edge, because he had been dominating SmackDown for months. He challenged Edge to a match, saying that if he won, he would take Edge’s spot at SummerSlam.
Edge accepted the challenge, saying that he would prove to Sheamus and everyone else that he still had what it takes to be a champion. He said that he would make Sheamus regret ever stepping into the ring with him. The match was made official by WWE officials, and it was set to be the main event of SmackDown.
Edge Defeats Sheamus in a Hard-Fought Battle
The match between Edge and Sheamus was a brutal and intense affair, as both men gave their all to secure their spot at SummerSlam. Sheamus used his power and aggression to wear down Edge, hitting him with hard strikes and slams. He targeted Edge’s neck, which had been surgically repaired several times in the past. He also tried to use his signature moves, such as the Brogue Kick and the White Noise, but Edge managed to avoid them.
Edge fought back with his speed and resilience, using his experience and cunning to outsmart Sheamus. He hit Sheamus with his signature moves, such as the Spear and the Edgecution, but Sheamus kicked out of them. He also used some of his old tricks, such as biting Sheamus’ ear and using a steel chair behind the referee’s back. He showed no signs of slowing down or giving up, despite the pain and fatigue.
The match reached its climax when Edge countered a Brogue Kick attempt by Sheamus with a Spear out of nowhere. He then locked in his submission move, the Edgecator, on Sheamus’ injured leg. Sheamus tried to reach the ropes, but Edge pulled him back to the center of the ring. Sheamus had no choice but to tap out, giving Edge the victory.
Edge celebrated his win by raising his arms in triumph, as the fans cheered him on. He then pointed at the SummerSlam logo, indicating that he was still going to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. He then grabbed a microphone and addressed Reigns, who was watching from backstage. He said that he was coming for Reigns’ title, and that he would end Reigns’ reign of terror at SummerSlam. He said that he would make Reigns acknowledge him as the ultimate opportunist and the ultimate champion.
What’s Next for Edge and Sheamus?
Edge’s win over Sheamus confirmed his status as the number one contender for the Universal Championship. He will face Roman Reigns at SummerSlam on August 20, 2023, in what promises to be a blockbuster match. Edge will try to become a 12-time world champion in WWE, while Reigns will try to extend his dominant run as the head of the table.
Sheamus’ loss to Edge was a setback for his aspirations of becoming a world champion again. However, he still has a chance to redeem himself at SummerSlam, where he will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Cesaro. Sheamus will try to retain his title and prove that he is still one of the best wrestlers in WWE.