Edge returns to the ring at WWE Royal Rumble
After nearly nine years away from the ring and months of speculation about him coming back, Edge returned to the ring in tonight’s men’s Royal Rumble match.
Edge entered the men’s Rumble as the 21st entrant and made it to the final three before being eliminated by Roman Reigns. Drew McIntyre won the match by eliminating Reigns after hitting a Claymore Kick.
When he entered the match, Edge gave spears to Dolph Ziggler, Anderson, and Drew McIntyre and then speared AJ Styles after they faced off. Edge and his former Rated RKO partner Randy Orton reunited to eliminate Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Edge and Orton also worked together when the match got down to the final four. After Orton was about to turn against him, Edge eliminated Orton instead.
This was the first time Edge has wrestled since having to retire due to spinal stenosis in April 2011. Speculation about him being able to return began last year when he was involved in his first physical angle in years, spearing Elias on the SummerSlam pre-show.
In October, PWInsider reported that Edge was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — where WWE medical director Joseph Maroon is located — on WWE business. Edge denied that he was cleared to return then and during the lead-up to the Royal Rumble.
WWE Shop released a new T-shirt and hoodie for Edge tonight.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.