As a kid growing up, Adam Copeland always dreamed of one day becoming World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Champion. A life-long fan of the Federation, Adam loved to watch guys like Ricky Steamboat, Randy Savage, Curt Hennig and Shawn Micheals compete in the ring. In his pursuit to gain the similar level of success as his boyhood heroes, he and his friends - including Jay Reso, known to Federation fans as Christian - would compete against each other in mock wrestling matches.
"We did what every kid does, and I don't condone it, but we used to go out in the side yard and get a mattress and we'd wrestle on it. We would set up a washer and a dryer as our turnbuckle that we would jump off of and do moves on. We always said we would hold the tag team belts. Growing up, you always say things like that," commented Adam about his childhood.
The two also attended Federation live events whenever they came to their homeland of Canada. In fact, Adam sat 11th row, ringside in Toronto's Sky Dome for WrestleMania VI, where then Intercontinental Champion Ultimate Warrior defeated Hulk Hogan. Nearly one decade later, Adam found himself competing in an Intercontinental Championship match against Jeff Jarrett in that very building.
In front of family and friends, Edge shocked a full house when he defeated Jarrett to capture the Intercontinental Championship. However, what's most interesting about this story is how shocked Edge actually was after the match.
"There's a picture of me in the Toronto Sun holding up the belt and I'm just as shocked as anyone in the crowd," said Edge on his victory.
As it turns out, Ken Shamrock was originally scheduled to wrestle Jeff Jarrett that night, not Edge. "It was Christian and I against the Acolytes in the opening match. We won the match and got to the back. I hadn't changed yet, and they said I was probably going to face Jeff in the fourth match," commented Edge about learning he was to face Jarrett later that night.
"I thought it was a non-title match to begin with," said Edge. "As I was about to leave (after Edge defeated Jeff Jarrett via pinfall), Jack Lanza came out and told me to wait a second. He then told me that the match stands and to go get my belt."
July 24th was a very special night for Adam Copeland. Not only did he permanently etch his name into the Federation history books, but he did it in the same arena in which he used to watch his favorite superstars compete in when he was young. Also, he did it in front of many friends and family. "My mother was there, my fiancée, a bunch of cousins, my aunts, my uncles. They're at every show almost, but this one ended up being a little more special."
Unfortunately for Edge, his reign was not very long. The next night at Fully Loaded, Jeff Jarrett regained the Intercontinental Championship from Edge. However, young Adam Copeland has a very optimistic outlook concerning his short reign. "Hey, at least I can say I had it. I'm only 25, I have a lot more time to get it again."
from WWF.com
