Earlier this week, wrestling fans were shocked to learn that Adam "Edge" Copeland's health was forcing him to retire from active competition. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is still trying to fathom how this could be real.
Still, Edge's shocking announcement was followed by an outpour of support from friends, opponents, fans, and more. As a member of the twitter universe (and I promise I'm getting better with it), I've been treated to a lot of kind words from people around the globe that are directed to "The Rated R Superstar". Of course, Edge is not actually ON Twitter, which you would know from reading his book that he is not tech savvy, but I'm sure someone is relaying the messages of support to him.
What should be most special to him are the messages from those in the wrestling business. He seemed to have a universal respect with even his greatest enemies like Matt Hardy (you remember their little "love triangle" i'm sure) taking to Twitter to issue kind words to the guy. I was a little surprised by that one, but not as surprised as I was by the absolutely disgusting comments from Adam's childhood hero.
For those that don't know, that childhood hero is the man that told young Adam to say his prayers and take his vitamins, the "Immortal" Hulk Hogan. It's been no secret that this is the case, and the WWE even capitalized on it in 2003 when Edge got to be Tag Team Champions with the man he once idolized. Oh, what a difference a few years and a different employer makes.....
Nowadays, the Hulkster is plodding along in TNA, somehow still trying to milk the last drops out of his wrestling fame. For months, he was acting as on screen owner and doing so to the delight of the fans. Then in October, the ever-brilliant triumvirate of Hogan, Bischoff, and Russo decided that a mega-heel faction was needed and who better to head it up than two non-wrestlers in Hogan and Bischoff? The worst part of this decision is that Hogan's real life personality seemed to be sucked into the bad guy role as well.
Unfortunately, someone taught Hogan how to use twitter and he opened an account. He's said some questionable things over time, but what he said about Edge on Monday was just despicable, in bad taste, and downright distateful. While everyone else took to twitter to praise Edge for his career, the childhood idol took to twitter to take a shot that Edge and the WWE.
Hogan first used the names of some fellow wrestlers from the 80s and said that if they listened to doctors they would have quit 15 years ago. Of course, some of those names included Andre the Giant who has been dead for more than 15 years and Paul Orndorff who should have listened and is not in great shape today. This was just the beginning, as the next tweet was even worse.
but I don’t know Edges working environment because they are a media company not a wrestling company. HH wrestlers work hurt!
That is the tweet that came in just minutes after the first one and you can smell the douchebaggery from here! First is a clear shot at the WWE who has recently made headlines for changing their company focus and possibly their name to reflect the modernization of itself. Yes, it is now considered a worldwide media company, but at the forefront will always be wrestling. Not only that, Hogan has wrestled there and knows damn well what kind of environment it is! I understand that TNA is going to try and push itself as more of a wrestling company and that this discrepancy can play to TNA's favor in some way, but you don't use a retiring wrestler to push this ideal.
Now let's look at the last three words which I'm sure stung Edge deep. Wrestlers work hurt. Well sure they do. They always have too. There is no offseason with the WWE and if you are in a prominent position, you will be working unless you are under the knife or recovering from the effects of such a thing. It becomes engrained in a wrestler's DNA to work through minor injuries as there is always a worry of losing one's spot as well as the draw or working to a crowd. However, there is a difference between minor injuries and career-ending ones.
In actuality, word has come out that Edge's injury could even be LIFE THREATENING. If a doctor told you that you would either be paralyzed or dead if you continued to do something you loved, would you do it? Edge has chosen to follow doctor's orders and most have commended him for it. Why then has his hero taken needless shots at him?
Perhaps it is to try and draw attention to his company, perhaps it is Hogan trying to steal the spotlight for himself, or perhaps it has no rhyme or reason. Not that I had a ton of respect for Hogan left, but this doesn't help matters. When everyone else is showing their respect, his comments were as unwelcome as a Jew at a KKK rally.
I would like to end by asking a question to my readers. While Hogan's comments were obviously ridiculous, it does raise a question. Do you agree with Hogan that wrestlers work hurt or do you think that is an old thought that should be left in the past? Should workers risk their lives for you or should they be entitled to walk away when they see fit? I would love to read your thoughts. Please leave them below!
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