Every morning as a young kid I would have the same morning routine. Wake up at 5am, slip on my jean skirt and graphic tee that usually had a combination of glitter and big eyed animals printed on it, grabbed a bowl of cereal that contained 99% sugar and then sat by my glass door waiting for the school bus to arrive at 6am.
What could a young girl do in this little slip on time, since my routine did not take one full hour to accomplish?
Edge, a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler who made his debut in 1998, although is seen as one of the more crude wrestlers on the show, was a god in the eyes of 5 year old Veronica. Adam “Edge” Copeland is the Einstein of performers, winning the most titles in WWE history at once as well as being known for his scandalous, yet genius, stunts. Wrestling skills aside, Edge was able to make a name for himself through pushing all limits of what was considered legal for the media, gaining the nickname “Rated R Superstar” throughout his time in the ring. Whether you loved him or you hated him, his controversial actions led him to quickly gain attention in not only the television show, but news outlets as well.
To me, as a young girl I saw him as scandalous, which obviously grabbed my interest since all little kids have a weird fixation on what they’re not supposed to be doing or watching, but now I only see his ambiance as pure genius in marketing and advertising. Risque violent and sexual acts that won him both his nickname, and a legacy of being inappropriate on stage led his publicity to rise quickly. A “live sex celebration” performed in the ring in response to the world championship was one of the most noted and iconic rated R performances Edge pulled off.
My mornings by the glass door, watching WWE with the volume on the lowest level so my parents would not overhear, was what I consider my awakening to the entertainment industry and how controversy can accomplish loads when it comes to the media. Is WWE basically a glorified soap opera for grown men? Yes. But nonetheless did it inspire me to love both the entertainment industry and, let’s not forget, men in tight outfits.
