Feature Image Credit: Smark Out Moment.
Edge vs. Orton may have been an enjoyable match, but fell just shy of greatness.
Edge. Orton. Arguably two of the greatest and most gifted wrestlers to grace any ring, let alone those manufactured by the higher-ups in Titan Tower.
While I was a devoted viewer of WWE television, and consumer of WWE’s multi-media products during Edge’s initial run with the company, I soon found myself abandoning the realm of sports entertainment after he was forced to retire in 2011. Though this was most likely a combination of the subpar quality of the programming and the teenage brain seeking to pursue more “stylish” mediums, one cannot help but notice a coincidence in my returning to the product in the wake of the Rated R Superstar’s return.
Now, I am a fully-grown adult with a developing, critical mind who is finally capable of discussing this passion of his with the maturity it has always deserved. Billing any match with such a superlative as “The Greatest Ever” is bound only for disappointment. Indeed, while the match was doing all the right things, it left me feeling hollow.
How so? You may ask. The answer is childishly simple, it is because of the very reason I mentioned but a mere paragraph ago.
“The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever”, as well as some recent news that has come to light, allows me to air some of my grievances with WWE that have been present since I began consuming the product, only now I have the ability to properly formulate these views into coherent arguments. I will confess that certain aspects of the promotion, such as NXT, are fantastic, but one good deed does not make up for the many wrongs WWE have committed.
Today, Access All Areas shoots on WWE, and the greatest wrestling match that never was. Read on.
A Peek Behind the Curtain
During my own 9 year hiatus from WWE programming, I educated myself on the intricacies of professional wrestling, knowing full well that it was a work of semi-fiction. In doing so, I acquired a vast knowledge of insider terms, how matches are constructed, and the creative processes. Essentially, professional wrestling is akin to theatre, with an established formula that is proven to elicit the desired reaction from fans.
Of course, those who step between the ropes each week are not actors: they are athletes. Athletes who continually risk life and limb for our entertainment. For this, I am eternally grateful. That is not to say that those who make up this pantheon of athletic performers are incapable of constructing believable characters.
For example, Randy Orton has produced his best character work since he initially ignited the Legend Killer gimmick. The man is devilishly detestable in all the right ways, and successfully seduces you into suspending your disbelief any time he commits one of his dastardly deeds.
That is why the sacrifice of Edge, and the committed character creation of Randy Orton should have been rewarded with a match that was the culmination of their collaborative genius. Unfortunately, the entire affair felt more akin to a feature film, rife with studio interference.
Ticking All the Right Boxes
Edge and Randy Orton’s clash at Backlash contained all of the conventions that make for an enjoyable match. We witnessed both men struck multiple times with each other’s finishing moves, and yet still proceed to kick out of pinning predicaments. Though it was kept minimal to adhere to TV-PG specifications, blood was seen protruding from above the eye of Orton. There were even homages to legends of the past, including the triple suplexes of the late, great Eddie Guerrero.
However, there were few attempts made to experiment with this formula and create something that feels unique. On the other hand, AEW are constantly experimenting to frequently provide their devoted viewers with fresh programming.
Successful experiments include the teaming of “The Concrete Rose” Sonny Kiss and “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela, along with pushing “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy well and truly into the limelight. Unsuccessful experiments include a No Holds Barred title match that was more focused on tense, slow-paced action, as opposed to hardcore thrills befitting the competitors involved in the fracas.
To AEW’s credit, however, they recognise when an experiment fails, and subsequently learn from this failure. Some can argue that AEW is still in its infancy, and so experimentation is necessary. As a counter-argument, I say that all companies, irrespective of age, must constantly seek to better themselves.
Style Over Substance
A tremendous quantity of effort was focused on transforming what was, according to my prior points, a rather standard match into a seminal spectacle. After all, both combatants were introduced by the disembodied vocals of the late legend Howard Finkel, with a classic microphone setup hanging from the rafters.
Furthermore, various crowd noises were interspersed during the match. Something that was rather distracting as it was overtly clear that these emphatic cheers, chants, and boos were not emanating from the flesh and blood human beings that were in attendance.
While Edge and Orton, the veterans that they are, selflessly put on a masterclass of in-ring storytelling for our benefit, it was sorrowfully overshadowed by WWE’s desire to generate a more manufactured style of storytelling, bolstered by the woefully humourless amateur short film that was Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders earlier in the night.
Meanwhile, over on AEW, organic storytelling is the name of the game. For two consecutive weeks, Cody has been putting over two mid-card players who have yet to even receive a sniff of championship gold. How has he done this? By delivering killer promos and weaving conflict-driven narratives with high stakes between the ropes.
It is true that Edge and Orton have been doing likewise over at Titan Tower, but the unnecessary additions to their match — which AEW has been wise to omit — more accurately emulates wrestling matches seen in films like 2009’s The Wrestler. On the other hand, Cody vs. Marq Quen felt like an honest to goodness wrestling match. As I stated prior, professional wrestling is only semi-fictional, and the difference between this and a completely fictitious medium cannot be disputed.
Lack of Adequate Care
Surely none of this insinuates that WWE are demonstrating a lack of faith in two of their most decorated talents so far as their ability to tell a compelling story via a classic wrestling match is concerned? Unfortunately, this is not something that I would hesitate to put past them.
After all, WWE have habitually pushed lesser superstars, in spite of the love of the fans being directed elsewhere. Case in point, Dean Ambrose living in the shadow of Roman Reigns. Fortunately, Ambrose has reinvented himself as Jon Moxley and is now one of the most valued competitors in AEW. However, Vince and his team are always too stubborn to relent until it is all too late.
Even recently, punishing Sami Zayn for something he was under the impression he would receive no punishment for, and WWE’s failure to properly test and protect their stars during this pandemic further cements the idea that the job satisfaction rate at World Wrestling Entertainment must be excessively low.
In the face of its competition, AEW, who consistently made a point of assuring you that all in attendance of their shows have been properly tested, it is beyond an embarrassment, it is dangerous. So, my insinuation before is not only one with merit, but also not the worst atrocity the promotion could have committed.
Bell-to-Bell
Overall, Edge vs. Randy Orton may never have been “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” — a rather subjective concept — but if they were afforded complete creative control over their bout, then they could have potentially transformed a good match into a great match. WWE need to make myriad, and immediate changes as wrestling fans now have something they have been denied for nigh on 20 years: choice.
Only by doing as I have just stated will WWE be able to competently compete with its competition. Regardless, I will continue to support the conscientious and dedicated athletes under the promotion’s employ and, for the first time in my life as a wrestling fan, I am concerned little with the past. Instead, my eyes are transfixed on the future. Therefore, I look forward to tuning in to tonight’s episode of NXT.
Remember, everything I have written today is not intended to serve as law, or undermine those who enjoy all that Titan Tower Productions has to offer. Now, more than ever, we in the wrestling community need to unite as one. However, we also need to recognise when we deserve better. Wherever it may be that you attain that, my heart is filled with unending gladness for you.
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