WWE Extreme Rules: What Role Will Edge Play in the World Title Match?

WWE Extreme Rules could very well be a night of destiny. Alberto Del Rio has said that he is meant to be the World Heavyweight Champion, a title that he failed to win against Edge at WrestleMania 27. It makes sense: Del Rio is being pushed as a top heel, and this may very well be his time at championship glory.

But then there’s Christian, a guy whose ship has come in. Edge’s recent retirement has opened the door for Captain Charisma to finally achieve his dream of being the guy in WWE.

How do I know it is his dream? Because in this business, if you lace up the boots with the goal of being second best, you are wasting your time.

Christian has accomplished too much, come too far, to be denied now. The stars have aligned, the situation is perfect for him to finally have one hand raised, with the title belt being raised in the other.

But if he goes over, will he do it alone?

This match will be a ladder match, after all. Anything goes. Christian could win as a result of pinning Del Rio under a ladder, thus allowing Christian to grab the title.

Christian could also use the ladder as a weapon, leaving Del Rio wiped out on the floor, while he becomes the new World Champion.

Or, perhaps Edge will show up during the match, and provide the assist.

If this happens, will it cheapen Christian’s victory? The fact is, Edge is done, there is no comeback match, no revenge for Del Rio against the Rated R Superstar, if he is cheated out of the win. So, why do it?

To help his best friend? Perhaps. Del Rio may have some interference on his behalf: Brodus Clay will likely show up and attempt to take Christian out. So, fair is fair, right?

I have two problems with Edge possibly helping Christian win the title.

One, and this may not matter much anymore, Christian is baby. Babies don’t cheat. I know, it’s 2011, pro wrestling matches have changed, right and wrong, good and evil, is not what it was in the business twenty, thirty years ago. Edge helping Christian win would probably be seen as vengeance for Del Rio’s arrogant attitude, and constant mocking of Edge and his forced retirement. Fans would not have a problem with that kind of victory for Christian. Well, most fans wouldn’t.

The other problem I have with this is the fact that with Edge gone, and the time seemingly being right for Christian to grab the 10 pounds of gold, it is now time for him to stand on his own.

Edge and Christian as a tag team were great. Edge as a singles wrestler was even better. Christian as a singles wrestler is very good, and now has the potential to be great himself. He is so close.

For the sake of his character, again, who is baby face, and more importantly for the sake of him as a great wrestler in his own right, Christian needs to do this on his own.

The popular consensus here is that Edge is superior to Christian in the ring, on the mic, in every way that counts in terms of being a major WWE Superstar. Edge would probably disagree with that assessment, and more than likely Christian would humbly give Edge his due and acknowledge his best friend’s accomplishments.

But, Edge has had his moment. He has had a great career, one for the WWE history books. His time is over.

Now, the wrestler most closely linked to Edge has the opportunity to separate himself in the minds of fans all over the world.

But, is that important to Christian? Or is he just happy to be in the match, loving life, and isn’t getting bogged down in all of the “character details” that we as fans are obsessed with?

At the end of the day, these guys are professionals. If Christian is told that he’s not going over, then he will go out, and gladly do the job to the best of his ability. This is what professionals do.

And if that happens, then one could argue that perhaps Christian is done. Back down to mid-card status, doing nothing. The buzz around Edge’s retirement and the opportunity it created will be wasted, and Christian, because he is professional, will go with the flow and do his part to bring the best he has every time he’s in the ring.

We as fans will all go back to talking about how he should have won the match, that the time was right, and now it will probably never come again.

Or, is this really it, and Christian will get over the hump, possibly with the help of his best friend, the happiest guy in the building? That is, if Edge doesn‘t purposely cost Christian the title.

Sounds crazy. Sounds ridiculous. All of this build up only for Edge to shockingly turn on Christian? Why? Simple. This is pro wrestling. Always expect the unexpected.

I for one find it hard to believe that Edge will simply walk away from WWE. I know his ring career is over, but there are other roles he could play, and a screw job on his best friend would provide the heel turn necessary to propel Edge back into a new position on TV. Seems impossible, but stranger things have happened.

The unknown, the drama of the business, this is what WWE is all about, and no one does it better. A straight out title win for Christian on Sunday, while satisfying for fans, including myself, is somewhat predictable, considering the fact that all signs point to it happening.

But, a twist such as this would be huge. Massive. At that point, would it even matter that Christian did not win the belt? He would still be involved in a major storyline, at the focus of SmackDown.

No matter what happens, this will be an important night for Christian. Any night a guy gets to entertain the fans in a sold out arena is an important night, and a big deal. The fact that this will be a World Title match with the whole world watching will be icing on the cake.

The biggest night in Christian’s career, or just another opportunity to shine? Sunday we will all find out together.