Less than a week after his successful title defense against Alberto Del Rio at Wrestlemania 27, World Heavyweight Champion Edge (Adam Copeland) made the surprise announcement on Monday Night Raw that he’s forced to retire from in-ring action due to chronic injury. This shocking and unexpected news brings to end a storied WWE career spanning 13 years, and consisting of 31 different title reigns. For over a week The Rated-R Superstar had been suffering numbness and uncontrollable trembling in his arms and hands, medically known as the result of nueropraxia. A decisive MRI administrated in Atlanta last Monday, and after careful examination, it was determined that Edge would be never be cleared to compete again, and thus, is forced to retire immediately.
In 2003, Edge underwent a two-level spinal fusion of the discs between his C5, C6, and C7 vertebrae. After being cleared to compete, he returned to ring work, resulting in strenuous use of the spine and a narrowing of the spinal column, both above and below the fused discs. This narrowing resulted in less and less of the vital fluid needed to protect the spinal cord and nerves. Medical professionals fear continued in-ring action in the WWE could result in compete paralysis or even death, and have stated they will not clear him for physical ring activity ever again.
I have little doubt in my mind though that this isn't the last we'll see of Edge in the WWE. While he may not be able to compete in ring action, he'll more than likely take a host, general manager, and/or commentator role in the future.
