Humber's 'Edge' takes on the WWF
By Mike Gentile
Arts Reporter
From Humber's Online Newspaper
Adam Copeland graduated from Humber College as a radio broadcaster. But like many other graduates, he's now doing something different: living on the "Edge" literally.
Otherwise known in the wrestling ring as Edge, the Orangeville native is one of the rising superstars in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He appears almost every Monday on "Raw is War," a live WWF show aired on TSN from 9 p.m-11 p.m.
Edge, 25, is just one of many WWF wrestlers who will entertain a sold out SkyDome for a Raw is War extravaganza on Feb 8. SkyDome officials are expecting up to 50,000 fans, making it the biggest "Raw" ever.
"This won't just be the biggest Raw in Canada, but the biggest Raw in WWF history," said Carl De Marco, president of WWF Canada.
Edge is part of a team called "The Brood", with fellow wrestlers Gangrel and Christian. These three are known for stalking their victims and giving them what's called a "blood bath".
All of the arena lights go off, and when they come on again their victims are covered from head to toe in bloodJust more of the theatrics that made the WWF famous .
Reminiscing about his days at Humber, Edge tells of living in a basement apartment while attending classes at the North Campus. He says his time at Humber was brief but very enjoyable.
"I really had a fun time there. It was a good two years."
Edge has only been in the WWF for a year, but his dream of being a wrestler started long ago.
Even in his high school year book, Edge listed his career ambition as being a WWF wrestler. Yet his celebrity, at least initially, was somewhat overwhelming.
At first he had a hard time accepting that people actually wanted his autograph. Now it's part of the business.
"You come to expect certain things that come with the territory. I find it very flattering," Edge said.
Edge trained at Sully's in downtown Toronto, a famous gym that helped train many other wrestlers as well as legendary boxers like Muhammad Ali.
Despite the misconceptions, Edge said wrestlingespecially the training is intense, and not fake.
"It's the toughest sport in the world," he said. "I remember the first time I ever fell down in a ring. I didn't get up. Not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't." When asked if he's ever suffered an injury in the ring, Edge laughed.
"I get injured every match, but some are worse than others."
He said it's the little nagging injuries that make his job so difficult. At a pay per view program in Hamilton, Edge pulled a groin muscle while fighting fellow Canadian Owen Hart. Though months have passed, the pain still exists.
"I have trouble putting on my underwear in the morning," he chuckled.
Edge is in the WWF at a very controversial time for the organization. The new storylines have parents in a frenzy. Gone are the days of Hulk Hogan telling kids to say their prayers and eat their vitamins. Now there's beer drinking and ringside prostitutes.
Mary Celebre said her three children watch without her approval.
"I hate them watching it. It's stupid, and it promotes violence," she said.
Mary's kids, ages 16,12 and eight are avid watchers of the program but no longer fit the target audience.
Edge on violence in wrestling.
"It's geared to young adults, at least 17 and up," Edge said. "I believe that kids can still watch it but (parents) should sit down with them explain that what they're seeing is like a movie and that it's not real.." He added:"I'd rather my kids see someone hit by a chair than someone's head blown off with a gun. Wrestling's just a full-contact soap opera."
Edge said his act comes so naturally that even Humber President Robert "Squee" Gord-on should be aware of him.
"I'd give him a blood bath," he joked. "He'd be a good target, so he should sleep with one eye open."
