The Undertaker and Edge battled in one of the greatest feuds of 2007 and 2008. They traded the World Heavyweight Championship back an forth in multiple matches that included crazy stipulations and interference from the likes of Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Chavo Guerrero and Vickie Guerrero.
The feud was one of the best of the late 2000s, and helped cement Edge as a top star in WWE. His WWE Championship reign and subsequent feuds with John Cena earned him his first world championship, but he was never positioned as the top star of any brand during that time.
In his feud with The Undertaker, Edge was shown as the star of Friday Night Smackdown. The Rated-R Superstar made it his show, and outshone every other star on the brand.
He even used all his cunning and trickery to beat The Undertaker on many occasions. He even married Smackdown general manager Vickie Guerrero in order to curry favour with WWE brass, and get them to work in his intrest.
This was most notable when WWE banned the use of The Undertaker’s Hell’s Gate submission move, deeming it too dangerous to be used in WWE.
Edge had all the influence in the WWE to make himself a top star, and he did. But then, why did he turn down the opportunity to break The Undertaker’s streak?
Edge on The Undertaker’s Streak
One thing that isn’t know widely known about Edge vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 24 is that Vince McMahon actually wanted Edge to end The Undertaker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak.
Over the years, many stars have been considered (and have turned down the opportunity) to end the legendary streak. The list includes Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, Triple H and Mark Henry and each man turned down the chance out of respect.
Edge was no different, according to Michelle McCool in an interview the New York Post.
“Actually I remember at WrestleMania versus Edge they talked about Edge breaking the streak,”
“It was Edge that was actually like, ‘That makes zero sense. I don’t want to do that. Why would I do that? The fans already love him. What’s it gonna do for Edge?’
“It was Edge that went to bat for the streak. I know they had talked about it prior to the match with Brock, but you know it happened. It’s fine, it’s not like it’s an end-all, be-all for Mark by any stretch of the imagination.”
Fans of the match will remember that in the Wrestlemania 24 main event, Edge fell to the Undertaker in one of the great matches. It was the last time The Undertaker would main event the biggest show of the year until his battle with Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 34.
The Undertaker won the World Heavyweight Championship in the process, although the pair would battle in some incredible matches including a TLC match and Hell in a Cell match over the championship before the feud was put to rest.
If Edge had beaten The Undertaker and ended the streak, who knows how the world of WWE would have changed. The Undertaker’s legacy, which grew even further with his streak matches against the likes of Shawn Michaels and Triple H, never would have happened which would be a huge shame.
In addition, Brock Lesnar’s legacy would not include “breaking the streak”, a key part of his character for years after the fact. Luckily, Edge refused The Undertaker’s streak and both men were better off for it.
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