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The rumors were true! Of course, Edge was going to deny it and it's great that he did because his entry was perhaps the biggest moment of the Royal Rumble 2020. After 9 long years, we got to see The Rated-R Superstar stand on the big stage while the pyro set off. He returned in great physical shape and had a great showing at the Royal Rumble, making a signifcant elimination - AJ Styles.
Edge's big return saw a wave of nostalgia run through the crowd. He even made it to the final four before being eliminated by Roman Reigns. There's no denying that his presence will be a big boost to the roster.
Without going much further, let's take a look at five possible reasons why the 11-time World Champion returned to WWE after 9 years at Royal Rumble 2020.
#5. To end his career on his terms
This is something that Edge had to be thinking about all these years. When making his retirement speech, he remarked regret that he wasn't able to end his career on his terms, but finding solace in the fact that he had a history-making career.
It wasn't like the case of Shawn Michaels who got to end his career in the most perfect way possible. We'll choose to forget about the return at Crown Jewel in 2018 in his case. When you have a career as great as Edge, it's understandable to have the urge to return and not being able to end his career on his terms.
The original plan was for him to wrestle for one more year and lose to Christian in a retirement match at WrestleMania 28. He won't be getting that match, but there are plenty of great options.
#4. He was medically cleared
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way. PWInsider had first reported that Edge was potentially medically cleared for an in-ring return
Here was what the situation was (via Daily DDT):
PWInsider.com also reported in October that The Rated R Superstar was in Pittsburgh to visit Dr. Joseph Maroon, who is the head of WWE’s medical department. Edge had previously shut down the earlier rumors of an in-ring return, as always, but this could be a case of him wanting to keep the surprise a true surprise. (And that’s a wise move.)
But Johnson’s “gut feeling” is that Edge will make a surprise return at the Rumble at Minute Maid Park, believing there is “something to” the internal rumblings within WWE that Edge will be returning to the ring soon.
Edge was given medical clearance, becoming the second major case after Daniel Bryan's in-ring return in 2020. This will give someone like Paige hope, as she had to retire even earlier than the other two men.
#3. Got a good part-time deal
The aforementioned article from Daily DDT also mentioned an "upside" that Edge got with his new WWE deal.
Mike Johnson pointed to Edge signing a new deal with WWE “that has a pretty nice upside” financially, which would seem to indicate a more substantial role in the company than episodes of the Edge and Christian show.
This only confirms that these reports were right. Given Edge's age and the nature of his career-ending injury, it's safe to assume that he'll have a part-time deal going on. This would likely mean big appearances for the Saudi Arabia PPVs and the big 4 PPVs.
Edge shouldn't be wrestling regularly either way and fans will be happy to see him return to the ring whenever he does. He had a great showing at the Royal Rumble and even received "you still got it" chants from the crowd.
Ultimately, Roman Reigns had to play the villain to eliminate him, but fans were compensated immediately with a Drew McIntyre victory.
#2. Perfect to elevate the current roster
Edge is the perfect part-timer to help the current roster. The RAW side has been progressing well under Paul Heyman's leadership and an addition like Edge to either roster will be a big boost.
It doesn't have to be like The Dudley Boyz' underwhelming 2015-16 run where they were only losing week in and week out. He can elevate the roster win or lose. He'll be putting over a few superstars who need it, but to make it a big victory, WWE can't rely on Edge's name value alone. He needs to have a few wins in the book.
Having a legend like Edge on the roster is great for casual fans to tune in as well along with old fans. His presence will help elevate the roster but as we've seen, all it takes is a bad storyline or two to ruin that.
Hopefully, Edge has something new in store and we get to see a different side of him
#1. A few dream matches in store
WWE wasted no time in teasing dream matches for Edge. He shared the ring with the likes of AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, and more. He would eliminate AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Luke Gallows and last till the final four - which is a huge spot.
On that note, we loved the final four this year - Roman Reigns, Edge, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre. It was the Scottish superstar who walked out victorious but Edge looked great in defeat. After Roman Reigns eliminated Edge, it was clear that McIntyre would win the Royal Rumble.
Funnily enough, this is the fourth time since 2014 that Roman Reigns has been in the "villain" role - being the second-last person to be eliminated. He's been the runner-up on four occasions - losing to Batista in 2014, Randy Orton in 2017, Shinsuke Nakamura in 2018, and now Drew McIntyre in 2020.
Either way, we're happy that Edge returned looking better than ever.
