WWE News: Edge speaks about wrestlers stealing his moves

What's the story?

On a recent edition of E&C's Pod of Awesomeness, WWE Hall of Famer Edge spoke about WWE Superstars stealing moves from his offensive arsenal.

Edge mentioned Sheamus and Damien Sandow, in particular, but harboured no hard feelings to either man.

In case you didn't know...

Despite an uninspiring start to his WWE career, Edge went on to become a genuine modern professional wrestling Superstar. "The Rated R Superstar" won everything there was to win in the game, including 11 world championships, five Intercontinental Championships, the King of the Ring, Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank.

Since retiring in April 2011, Edge has appeared on WWE TV on a number of occasions, whilst committing more time to acting and raising a family with his wife, former WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix.

Edge also hosts a podcast with his best friend and long-time tag team partner, Christian.

The heart of the matter

On a recent edition of the podcast, Edge and Christian spoke about the etiquette surrounding using the signature moves of other professional wrestlers, as Christian famously used the spear following Edge's retirement.

The general consensus is to ask for permission before using a signature move, but Edge mentioned two recent superstars who failed to do so.

"I think Sheamus has used it since (the Edgecator submission). He didn't call and ask me, he didn't text me. I don't care. I think that's kind of a tip of the hat"

"The Ultimate Opportunist" went on to talk about Damien Sandow using many of Edge's moves, and again made it clear that he was not bothered by this in the slightest.

"I think Sandow used every one of my moves! And then when he saw me he was like 'oh yeah, by the way, is that cool? I was like 'well, its a little late as you've already done it, but yeah, its cool"

Edge went on to speak about how he liked Sandow, so was merely ribbing him with his mock anger. The inaugural Money in the Bank winner stated that he sees such things as a sign of respect.

What's next?

There is truth in saying there is very little innovation in wrestling moves anymore, and the constant subject of 'so and so using so and so's move' is a little tired, unless one innovated the move in the first place.

Author's take

Unless you are the innovator of a particular move, I don't see the problem in using the moves of others.

Of course, you can't take someone else's finish and make it look like dirt, but showing respect by using a signature move should be encouraged. As such, it is refreshing to hear Edge speak about the practice in such relaxed terms.

However, if a wrestler chooses to take umbrage with the fact, they are well within their rights to do so.