Adam Copeland, F.K.A. Edge, started his wrestling career in the early '90s by finding work throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he wrestled under the name Sexton Hardcastle. Luckily for him, this name did not stick, and he would shed it to become a WWE Hall of Famer and legend of the sport for his work in the WWE.
1:57Every Look Of Sting's Wrestling Career, Ranked Worst To Best
With such a tenured career, Sting has been able to change with the times and keep his character fresh and relevant.Through some ups and downs, including a forced early retirement, Edge has been a fixture in professional wrestling for decades, and with a career spanning so many years, Edge has changed up his look to stay fresh and unique as time has passed. Let's go through the storied career of The Rated-R Superstar and compare all the many different appearances he has had and rank them from worst to best.
9 Sexton Hardcastle And Everything Before WWE
From 1992 To 1995
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. Chi Chi Cruz & Christian Cage | MWCW (07/08/1995) | Joe E. Legend & Sexton Hardcastle |
Vs. Bob Holly | WWE House Show (05/14/1996) | Boby Holly |
Vs. The Taskmaster | WCW Pro (01/13/1996) | The Taskmaster |
Edge's early career before joining the WWE saw him work under numerous names trying to find what worked. His first attempt was his real (and current stage) name, Adam Copeland, before becoming Adam Impact, Sexton Hardcastle, and Damon Striker. It wouldn't be until an episode of WWE Shotgun Saturday Night that he finally became Edge.
His appearance around this time was experimental, to say the least, as he would change his attire constantly trying to find what he liked. Copeland wore a singlet with some skulls on it, generic black and red tights with stars everywhere, and a very interesting colorful pair of tights from his work in WCW.
8 Retirement Guest Appearances
From 2011 To 2019
- Edge Did Not Wrestle At This Time As He Retired Due To Injuries.
- Did Almost Get Curb Stomped By Seth Rollins On Raw.
- Was Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame In 2012.
After retiring from in-ring work in early 2011, Edge went on to make a few guest appearances here and there, doing things like attempting to motivate Cena for his Extreme Rules 2012 match with Brock Lesnar, hosting The Cutting Edge with multiple superstars, and almost getting physical with Seth Rollins during The Authority storyline.
The biggest change during this time was that Edge cut off his long hair, debuting a new short hair look that he had rocked for the majority of his time retired. Copeland was also doing a bit more acting during this time, starring in shows like Sanctuary, Haven, and The Flash.
7 End Of WWE Return & Arrival In AEW
From 2022 To Present
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. Finn Balor | WrestleMania 39 | Edge |
Vs. Sheamus | SmackDown (08/18/23) | Edge |
Vs. Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, & Nick Wayne | AEW Full Gear 2023 | Sting, Darby Allin, & Adam Copeland |
2022 saw Edge turn heel for the first time since 2010 when he attacked AJ Styles, setting up a match at WrestleMania 38. This turn saw Edge create The Judgment Day stable with Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, all while debuting a new look featuring a new haircut.
Adam “Edge” Copeland’s Booking In AEW Has Been Perfect
When Adam "Edge" Copeland joined AEW, he could have been seen as just another former WWE guy, but his storylines have been intriguing.This look has stuck around with Edge finishing his career with WWE and signing a new contract to work with All Elite Wrestling, where he has kicked off a feud with best friend Christian Cage over the TNT Championship.
6 SmackDown Six Singles Star
From 2002 To 2004
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. Kurt Angle | Judgment Day 2002 | Edge |
Vs. Billy & Chuck | SmackDown (07/02/02) | Edge & Hulk Hogan |
Vs. Eddie Guerrero | SummerSlam 2002 | Edge |
Edge started to create a decent run as a singles star after winning the 2001 King of the Ring tournament and holding the Intercontinental Championship. During the first WWE Draft Lottery, Edge was drafted to SmackDown and became a part of the famous SmackDown Six. Most of his time on SmackDown during this period was spent feuding with the other members of the SmackDown Six and teaming with Rey Mysterio.
His appearance was not much different from his time when teaming with Christian. If anything, it just saw Edge change his tights color more often, and he started acting less goofy overall.
5 Rated-R Beard And Retirement
From 2010-2011
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Royal Rumble | Royal Rumble 2010 | Edge |
Vs. Kane, Rey Mysterio, & Alberto Del Rio | TLC: Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 2010 | Edge |
Vs. Alberto Del Rio | WrestleMania 27 | Edge |
Once again, there wasn't a major change in the appearance of Edge from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, so the only noticeable difference was he returned from injury at the 2010 Royal Rumble with a much thicker beard. This portion marked the end of Edge's first run with the WWE as he was forced to retire due to injuries shortly after WrestleMania 27, vacating the World Heavyweight Championship.
He did have some major matches, such as that return at the Royal Rumble which he won, going on to face Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight title at WrestleMania 26, and a short run on Raw after being drafted in the 2010 WWE Draft.
4 First WWE Gimmick, The Brood
From 1998 To 1999
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. The J.O.B. Squad | Rock Bottom: In Your House | The Brood |
Vs. The Ministry Of Darkness | Backlash 1999 | Bradshaw, Faarooq, & Mideon |
Vs. The Hardy Boyz | King Of The Ring 1999 | Matt & Jeff Hardy |
After attempting a run as a singles star in his early WWE days, a feud with the vampire/wrestler Gangrel saw the introduction of Edge's (kayfabe) brother, Christian. The three formed The Brood together after Edge was pressured into joining the team by Gangrel and Christian. The trio became over for their over-the-top gimmick and sick entrance that saw them emerge from beneath the stage coated in flames.
10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE's Faction The Brood
The Brood was an iconic act in the Attitude Era, even though they didn't last long as a group. There's much to learn about this vampiric faction!Edge's look wasn't a massive departure from what he was already wearing. Despite the legacy of the faction, they didn't even last a year, as by October 1999, Gangrel turned on Edge and Christian and created The New Brood with The Hardy Boyz.
3 The Team That Reeked Of Total Awesomeness
From 1999-2001
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. The Dudley Boyz & The Hardy Boyz | SummerSlam 2000 | Edge & Christian |
Vs. The Rock & The Undertaker | SmackDown (12/19/00) | Edge & Christian |
Vs. The Dudley Boyz & The Hardy Boyz | WrestleMania X-7 | Edge & Christian |
After Gangrel turned on the duo, Edge & Christian continued to team together and found new life as they captured the WWE World Tag Team Championships multiple times together. They famously helped create the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match with their feud against The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz.
It goes without saying that Edge didn't change much look-wise and instead just became a very goofy character alongside Christian while continuing to dominate the tag team division.
2 Rated-R Superstar
From 2005 To 2009
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. Mick Foley | WrestleMania 22 | Edge |
Vs. The Undertaker | WrestleMania 24 | The Undertaker |
Vs. John Cena & The Big Show | WrestleMania 25 | John Cena |
Edge broke out into his own after his run on SmackDown as he won the inaugural Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21 and soon cashed in on John Cena after an Elimination Chamber match to win his first WWE Championship. This portion of Edge's career saw him become the biggest heel in the promotion alongside Lita and start major feuds with names like Cena, The Undertaker, and Matt Hardy.
This marked one of the bigger changes in gear and appearance for Edge, as he got rid of the old tights design he used and introduced the attires that became synonymous with the Rated-R Superstar gimmick.
1 Return From Retirement
From 2020 To 2022
Match | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Vs. Randy Orton | WrestleMania 36 | Edge |
Royal Rumble | Royal Rumble 2021 | Edge |
Vs. Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan | WrestleMania 37 | Roman Reigns |
The roof blew off the place when Edge's music started playing during the 2020 Royal Rumble as he made his way down to the ring as a wrestler for the first time since 2011. Edge would feud with Randy Orton after his return before winning the Rumble the following year and main eventing the Showcase of Immortals against Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns in 2021.
Upon returning, Edge once again had his signature long hair and a much more scruffy look with his beard starting to gray, plus he looked much more physically fit despite not competing for almost a decade.
