Adam Copeland’s autobiography, released in 2004, offers a deep dive into the life and career of professional wrestling’s “Rated R Superstar.” Revisiting this book two decades on reveals just how much you thought you knew about him and how much there is still to discover.
A younger Adam Copeland as the “Rated R Superstar” Edge in WWE and Copeland, more recently, in All Elite Wrestling. Photo Credit: WWE / AEW. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Revisiting Adam Copeland’s Autobiography: "Adam Copeland on Edge"
"Adam Copeland on Edge," released in 2004, offers an inside look at the "Rated-R Superstar." Two decades later, it continues to reveal sides of him fans might not know. Photo Credit: Gallery Books / WWE.
In 2004, Adam Copeland published his memoir, Adam Copeland on Edge. Written entirely in longhand, this autobiography details his early life, his wrestling beginnings, and how he ascended to stardom in WWE.
Mick Foley’s Foreword: A Legacy Connection
Edge and Mick Foley on WWE programming. Photo Credit: WWE.
In this short introduction, Foley cites how he and his friend Christian aimed to reverse critics’ rebukes that WWE was "too risqué" and instead put a "happy, goofy, innocent face" on professional wrestling.
Foley adds that he considers writing the introduction to Edge’s memoir a major part of his legacy and that he can’t wait to watch how great his friend will become.
The Early Years: Edge’s Humble Beginnings
A young Adam Copeland (Edge) with his mother. Photo Credit: Copeland Family.
In the prologue of his book, Adam Copeland on Edge, Copeland says that although he was only thirty, he had seen and endured many things. He invites the reader to imagine themselves as a "worm" burrowing into his ear to see his life from behind his eyes.
And thus, the story begins.
Edge’s early beginnings were in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, where he lived with his mother, Judy Copeland. He says he never knew his father- "Before [he] was born, this guy took off."
Edge explains how his mother worked two jobs- secretary by day and waitress by night. As such, he often stayed with his grandparents and uncles, one of the latter of whom was only nine years older than him. He speaks fondly of playing hockey with his grandparents’ children and his brotherly relationship with them.
Adam Copeland’s First Dream
Adam Copeland’s first dream before becoming a professional wrestler was to become a rock star. He talks about his love for bands like KISS, the Eagles, and the Beatles.
He also speaks of his second fantasy of being a superhero and attempting to backflip off a coffee table, injuring his neck- a seemingly common reoccurrence, even when he wasn’t training to wrestle!
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The Influence of Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan before his match against the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI. Adam Copeland (Edge) was one of the fans at the SkyDome in Toronto that evening. Photo Credit: WWE.
Sadly, disaster struck Edge’s family in 1982 when his Uncle Gary was gravely injured in a car accident at the age of 17.
Although young, Edge says he realized it "was just not right" and kept asking himself, "Why?"
He mourned for the longest time until one day, one face changed his life around: Hulk Hogan.
Edge writes that Hogan "made [him] feel like [he] could accomplish anything."
It seemingly sparked a fire within him that fuelled his passion for professional wrestling. Indeed, he says that he "ate wrestling up quicker than Big Show at an all-you-can-eat buffet"!
A young Edge and Christian in the early days of their professional wrestling careers. Photo Credit: WWE.
Soon after wrestling captured Edge’s imagination, a new boy moved to Orangeville: Jay Reso, better known as Christian.
Edge says that he and Christian became inseparable friends but also outcasts at school, mainly because they were "huge geeks."
According to them, they were fine with this as they had pro wrestling.
Edge details how he and Christian helped at local events by setting up chairs and the ring. Sometimes, the promoter would let them roll around in the ring before the show, which, he says, caused the "wrestling bug" to bite even deeper.
In his autobiography, Adam Copeland on Edge, Copeland writes about matches held with friends, his pro wrestling training- which he won by writing an essay for a local newspaper- and wrestling for innumerable independent promotions.
His grit and determination are very well represented in these in-depth chapters.
An Incident While Breaking Into the Wrestling World
Edge made a surprise entrance as Sable’s mystery partner in a mixed tag team match against Marc Mero and Jacqueline at SummerSlam 1998. Photo Credit: WWE.
Later in the book, Copeland speaks of his WWF debut against Jose Estrada Jr., where he accidentally knocked Estrada out with a "Hilo to the floor."
Edge admits he lost confidence from this, as he’d never intended to injure anyone.
WWE, however, had faith in Edge and chose him as Sable’s mystery partner at SummerSlam 1998.
Rising to Stardom: The Edge and Christian Era
Edge and Christian as WWE Tag Team Champions. Photo Credit: WWE.
Through much "nagging," Edge convinced WWE personnel to recruit his longtime friend, Christian. They formed a tag team and feuded with the Hardy Boyz, the Dudley Boyz, and others.
Along with the two aforementioned tag teams, they created the TLC match- an innovative spectacle featuring tables, ladders, chairs, and daredevil stunts that left the wrestling world in awe.
Reflecting on the book "Adam Copeland on Edge"
Adam Copeland (Edge) in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he wrestles today. Photo Credit: AEW.
More than two decades after its release, Adam Copeland on Edge remains a valuable resource for fans old and new. It offers a nostalgic look at Copeland’s career while providing insights into the man behind the "Rated-R Superstar," Edge.
Copeland’s autobiography is more than just a book—it’s a journey through the highs and lows of his life.
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Teagan Wiltshire is an English student who is a huge fan of old-school and modern professional wrestling. She enjoys reading, writing poetry, and playing video games (mainly Pokémon and Minecraft) in her spare time. You can explore more of her writing on X / Twitter at @rayvistic.
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