The Brood remains one of WWE’s better acts that barely get discussed due to being ahead of its time. Edge, Christian and Gangrel formed the trio that essentially portrayed vampires. The chemistry between the real-life close friends allowed them to deliver strong moments working together as one act. WWE eventually placed The Brood with the Ministry of Darkness faction led by The Undertaker, but they were best on their own.
Edge and Christian lucked out by having a relevant introductory storyline that placed them together in the early stages of their Hall of Fame careers. Gangrel didn’t have the same luck as his WWE run fizzled out after The Brood ended. WWE could have done so much more with the tremendous concept, but the faction will be remembered most for being ahead of its time in the wrestling world.
The Brood Stood Out In The Attitude Era
The idea of young stars trying to break out on the same show with Steve Austin, The Rock and D-Generation X was definitely a tough task. WWE witnessed the Attitude Era creating huge expectations from fans to see new things without the same filter of previous eras. Edge and Christian each signed at young ages due to their potential coming up on the Canada wrestling scene.
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Gangrel was a few years older, but the vampire gimmick had the momentum to get a WWE contract. Edge was struggling to find a gimmick until Gangrel and Christian emerged to unite with him in The Brood. WWE claimed that Edge and Christian were brothers to add logic to their relationship. All three wrestlers embraced the vampire gimmicks once bonded together.
WWE gave them a few cool things to stand out and get over despite working with the biggest names of all time. The epic entrance of the red lighting and the trio emerging from under the stage surrounded by flames made them instant fan favorites. There was even a wild spectacle associated with The Brood when blood fell from the rafters on opposing wrestlers for the fascinating bloodbath visual. Edge, Christian and Gangrel had a high ceiling together with a hot act.
Why The Brood Ended Too Early
WWE eventually sacrificed the trio’s momentum on their own by placing them in The Undertaker’s faction, known as the Ministry of Darkness. Undertaker essentially had his own satanic cult with lower mid-carders of the time like Mideon, Viscera and the APA (before they were an official tag team) following his lead.
Edge, Christian and Gangrel joining the faction made them come off like afterthoughts. The trio fit in visually with the Ministry of Darkness since they had the vampire gimmick to add to the spooky group. Unfortunately, they now came off as lackeys for a bigger star rather than their own act.
WWE eventually split up the Ministry of Darkness and Brood when Edge and Christian refused to “sacrifice” Christian as Undertaker demanded it. The moment felt huge for The Brood to speak up against Undertaker and attack the Ministry to move forward on their own. This ended up being the peak of the faction with nothing else moving them forward.
Rumors of Vince McMahon not being fond of Gangrel’s conditioning were believed to be the reason for The Brood ending. Edge and Christian were prioritized to move forward without him, as a weak storyline finished their time together. Gangrel betrayed Edge and tried to unite with the Hardy Boyz as The New Brood, as Edge and Christian were thriving without him.
The Brood Are More Beloved Today Than In Their Time
Nostalgia has become a huge part of the wrestling world since the Attitude Era fans have grown up and can share their love of the innovative group. Edge and Christian hosting their own podcast featured them revealing that the small chapter of their careers meant a lot to them, and they love when fans often ask about The Brood at meet and greets.
Even wrestlers of the current generation loved The Brood, with New Day’s three members humorously cosplaying as them for Halloween one year. The recent segment of Edge shocking Seth Rollins with a bloodbath created online buzz and was the high point of their feud. Edge showing his sinister side was loved by the audience purely due to the nod towards The Brood. This was even further amped up when Edge made his entrance at SummerSlam 2021 in his Brood attire and music.
WWE would see trio factions become more popular in future years. The Brood helped originate that in the promotion with such a fun yet short run in the Attitude Era. WWE found the perfect way to merge pageantry and spectacle for Edge, Christian and Gangrel to leave an impact that is still treasured by diehard fans decades later.
