Edge Says He Was Inspired By Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone had a big impact on a young Edge.
While the future WWE Hall of Famer was growing up, he had a number of inspirations in life. During an appearance on the Brotherly Love podcast, he revealed these included family members, legendary Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, and Rocky star Stallone.
“It was Ace Frehley. It was Sylvester Stallone, my mom [and] my uncle Gary. So those were my touchstones. As I grew older, I realized that guitar playing was probably not going to be my thing. So Ace Frehley’s out, but I still love Ace Frehley.
Stallone was still in, though, mainly due to his determination and grit.
“There was something about Stallone. I also related to [him because] my uncle Gary kind of looked like Stallone so they were kind of one and the same to me. I think that’s why I’ve always had such a soft spot for Stallone. Then learning more about his story over the years. It’s just really made me respect the determination and grit that dude had.”
Although acting did become a big part of the Rated-R Superstar’s life after his first retirement, he didn’t initially follow in the footsteps of Stallone, instead discovering wrestling.
“It was comic books come to life” – Edge on discovering pro wrestling
Edge says he made the decision he wanted to be a wrestler as soon as he saw it for the first time.
“So I had decided that I wanted to be a wrestler the first time I saw it (wrestling). It kind of came along after Stallone and after KISS. I saw it the first time and I went ‘I don’t know what this is, but I can’t stop watching it. I’m just locked onto this thing.’
“I think looking back it was comic books come to life. I can’t shake hands with Spider-Man or The Incredible Hulk or Thor but I can go down at Maple Leaf Gardens and maybe, just maybe, if I’m really creepy and find out where the wrestlers come into the arena. I can have a chat.
That’s just what the young Adam Copeland did, first while helping the wrestling stars with their luggage and then getting a break when Bret Hart gave him his number.
“Now I can pick the brains. Now I’m putting Demolition’s luggage in their trunk for them and going ‘So if I did this, and did this and this,’ Then I’m going to the Dini Petty Show which is like, kind of like the Oprah of Canada or was. Bret ‘The Hitman Hart’ was gonna be on it. He was the champion. I was training to be a wrestler by this point.I went and I sat with the studio audience.
I’m like ‘I’m asking a question’ Because they do a Q&A. So I go down there and sure enough, I just said ‘What do I do?’ And Bret goes, ‘Ah..you know I’m pretty far removed from it’ and he had his father who owned a promotion so he didn’t really know what to tell me.
“He finds me in the hallway after, says ‘I’m sorry I didn’t have anything better to tell you. But here is my number.’ He’s at this point the best wrestler in the world. And sure enough a year later, I’m out at his house. He’s got an indoor pool. He’s got a ring set up beside the pool and I’m out in the ring with him. That opens the door to WWE.”
Since then, Edge has gone on to have a legendary career. His last match to date came against Sheamus on the August 18th edition of SmackDown, and since then he has been open about being undecided on his next move when his WWE contract expires in September.
H/T to SEScoops for the above transcription.