Edge again made his move at the right time, making his official AEW debut on October 1, 2023, at AEW WrestleDream. While the move was certainly predicted and speculated for a long time, the internet exploded after The Rated R Superstar, who will be called by his real name, Adam Copeland, showed up in the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Former WWE Superstar Edge made his final appearance in August as he celebrated his 25th anniversary in the Stamford-based promotion. Though many people believed it would be his final match, Edge further stated that he would love to wrestle more shortly. Edge’s legacy in the WWE runs deep and will surely be unmatched, as there might not be another one like him.
25 years ago, we were introduced to @EdgeRatedR.
Celebrate 25 years of The Rated-R Superstar in WWE all week long with #Edge25! https://t.co/EbVIQwH3fy
— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2023
After being with the company for 25 years, Edge parted ways with WWE but the Stanford-based promotion didn’t deny his contract as mentioned by the Rated R Superstar himself. Since the contract expiration news broke out, several speculations were made that Edge might be looking to jump ship and move to AEW. However, the rumors came out to be true, and he made his significant debut by confronting his old friend Christian Cage.
Soon after his cold-blooded entrance, fans noticed that his “Rated R Superstar” nickname and his ‘Mettalingus’ theme song were still intact in AEW. Though WWE filed a trademark on his ring name, ‘Edge’.
They didn’t seem to take away his nickname as the Standford-based promotion hasn’t had an active trademark for the ‘Rated R Superstar’ since April 2020. Copeland has been known by various nicknames, but ‘Rated R Superstar’ will always be the most beloved.
Are there any Superstars’ names trademarked by WWE rather than Edge?
Apart from their merchandise, finishing moves, and theme songs, WWE also files trademarks on the names of various superstars. With Edge being in the news for not using his original name in AEW as his name has been trademarked by the Triple-H-led promotion, there is a long list of superstars whose names are owned by the company.
The fact they can use “Rated R Superstar” is not something I was expecting. Most said the music would be available as WWE probably never thought to make it exclusive but I would have expected his nickname to be locked up like “Edge” is.
— Naudiz (@Naudiz) October 2, 2023
Superstars like John Cena, The Undertaker, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, and many more WWE legends have their names trademarked by the company. The Stamford-based promotion does this to earn more profits from their performer’s name, as they will be given a portion of money whenever the name is used anywhere.
WWE made a master move in saving Adam Copeland’s ring name, Edge, by filing a trademark for the name. However, they did fail miserably, as they let go of the iconic ‘Rated R Superstar‘ nickname Copeland used to gain fame.
