Edge: A Decade of Decadence Review
November 11, 2011
By Ricky Dozan
Many wrestling fans were left in shock as Edge announced his retirement this year due to a very severe neck injury that he suffered many years ago, and it continued to get worse even after surgery. Now would be a great time to look back on one of the greatest careers ever in pro wrestling history.
A Decade of Decadence was released in 2008, but sales for the DVD have now started to pick up again as a result of his retirement.
Disc 1
Edge vs Owen Hart - Breakdown 1998
In Canada, these two countrymen put on a good fast paced match. We see a rare glimpse of Edge's speedy side and the debut of Christian.
6/10
Edge & Christian vs Matt & Jeff Hardy - No Mercy 1999 - Tag Team Ladder Match
This is well ahead of it's time. If you liked the TLC matches that Edge & Christian, The Hardyz and Dudley Boys were in, you'll love this.
9/10
Edge & Christian vs The Hardyz vs The Dudley Boys - WrestleMania 2000 - Tag Team Championship - Triangle Ladder Match
Not as good as the TLC match they had later in the year, still a classic match in Edge's career. Think of this as a prototype to TLC 2000
8.5/10
Edge vs Lance Storm - Intercontinental Championship - Summerslam 2001
This is filled with some pretty cool spots and served as a brilliant opener to this PPV.
6.5/10
Edge vs Test - Intercontinental Championship - Survivor Series 2001
This was quite boring at the beginning but it picked at the end. Nothing too great. I'd recommend skipping this match.
5/10
Edge vs Mr. Perfect - Sunday Night Heat 2002
This last about 3 minutes, had a non-finish and was a huge disappointment. I have no idea why this was on this boxset. Edge must of been a huge fan of Mr. Perfect.
1/10
Edge vs Kurt Angle - Judgement Day 2002 - Hair vs Hair
Nowhere near as great as I remember this, but still a fun watch. It's very obvious who wins this one.
6/10
Edge vs Kurt Angle - Smackdown 2002 - Steel Cage Match
One of the best TV cage matches I've seen. This one is up there with Angle vs Benoit from 2001.
7.5/10
Edge & Hulk Hogan vs Billy & Chuck - Tag Team Champiomships - Smackdown 2002
Nothing great here. Edge gets beat down. He makes the hot tag and Hogan hulks up.
2.5/10
Edge vs Eddie Guerrero - Unforgiven 2002
This was a disappointment for me as I expecting much more. Overall, an alright match. It would of been better to include Edge vs Eddie in a No DQ from Smackdown to be honest.
4.5/10
Disc 2
Edge vs Randy Orton - Intercontinental Championship - Vengeance 2004
This lasted over 25 minutes and went on for about 15 minutes too long. The crowd was bored, as was I.
2.5/10
Edge vs Shawn Michaels - Raw 2005 - Street Fight
Again, another match that I enjoyed much more when I first saw it live. HBK bleeds like a pig here, which was probably why I loved when I first watched it. I love the blood.
6/10
Edge vs Kane - Raw 2005 - Gold Rush Tournament Finals
This is a typical Raw main event. What it lacks in good ring action, it makes up for it on historical value.
4.5/10
Edge vs Matt Hardy - Raw 2005 - Street Fight
Really fun street fight. I remember this for it's shocking ending (which I'll let you find out for yourself) but I really wasn't aware of the great build-up to the climax.
7/10
Edge vs John Cena - WWE Championship - New Year's Revolution 2006
I'm sure you all know what happened here. Edge cashes in his Money in the Bank and beats Cena for the title. We get the last 2 minutes of Cena's first match too.
NOT RATED
Edge vs Mick Foley - WrestleMania 22 - Hardcore Match
This is most likely WrestleMania's most violent match. It include usages of barbed wire, thumbtacks and even fire. Many cringe-worthy moments in this epic hardcore match.
8.5/10
Edge, Mick Foley & Lita vs Tommy Dreamer, Terry Funk & Beulah - One Night Stand 2006
More violent than the last match. This is a good candidate for WWE's most violent match ever. I prefer the last match though. It had much better pacing.
8/10
Edge vs Rob Van Dam vs John Cena - WWE Championship - Raw 2006
Decent TV main event. This match's only purpose was to take the title of RVD due to his recent drug charges.
5.5/10
Disc 3
Edge vs John Cena - WWE Championship - Summerslam 2006
This suffers from a slow build-up, but has a really good memorable finish. Also, J.R is gold on commentary.
6/10
Edge vs Rob Van Dam - Raw 2007
Edge gets his jaw dislocated in this and still carries on with the match. Nothing 'amazing, just a really solid match.
6/10
Edge vs Randy Orton - Raw 2007
Taking in their other match on this set, I had very low expectations for this. What I saw was an excellent heel vs heel match with many near-falls. It's weird how I've heard nothing about this match before.
7.5/10
Edge vs Undertaker - World Heavyweight Championship - Smackdown 2007
Another MiTB cash-in. It's nice that they include the final moments of the Undertaker/Batista cage match too.
NOT RATED
Edge vs Batista - World Heavyweight Championship - 'Last Chance' Match - Vengeance: Night of Champions 2007
A match that relies on storytelling and not spots. Edge works down Batista's previously injured shoulder for a good portion of the match and Batista does a sup-par job at selling it. This match has a smartly booked cheap ending.
6.5/10
Edge vs Rey Mysterio - World Heavyweight Championship - Royal Rumble 2008
A slow match which shows of how well Rey Mysterio can sell an injury.
5.5/10
Edge vs Undertaker - World Heavyweight Championship - TLC Match - One Night Stand: Extreme Rules 2008
Most likely the worst TLC match of the bunch. The spots are predictable and the wrestlers make it no secret if they are about to take a bump. But still, with run-in and weapons galore, it's still entertaining.
6.5/10
Edge vs Undertaker - Hell in a Cell Match - Summerslam 2008
The first Cell match of the PG era, but that doesn't mean it isn't brutal. Sick match-up with some really cool moments. A few things irk me about the match, so that brings down the rating.
8.5/10
Other Features
Between some of the matches on the set, Edge makes an appearance and talks about the upcoming the match. The problem is though, he's in character and he sometimes spoils the matches. If I'm honest, Edge didn't need to show up on the main portion of the set.
Being the 'Rated R Superstar', this set includes mock movie trailers for a few of the matches. It's nothing fancy, just your standard WWE video package done in trailer form, but it's a welcomed touch.
The Extras
The Totally Awesome Best of Edge & Christian
This short video package highlights the funniest moments of this legendary tag team. Funny stuff and the team deserves it's own DVD boxset.
Adam Copeland vs Christian
This dark match came from a RAW in 1997. Edge and Matt Striker provide commentary on this rare gem.
Edge vs Jeff Jarrett
In a Toronto house show, Edge picks up an Intercontinental Championship win, but the decision is overturned. Commentary by Edge & Matt Striker.
The Verdict
Pros and Cons:
+ Most matches have great in-ring work.
+ Cool 'trailers' before some of the matches.
+ Rare never-before-seen matches in the extras.
- Some questionable matches included on the set.
- Edge spoils some of the winners of the matches in his segments.
- Missing some of Edge's most important matches. (Money in the Bank I, TLC I & II)
- No Documentary.
If you are an Edge fan, this is a no-brainer. The disc is only £6.99 from Silvervision right now and even if you can't pick it up from there, I see no reason why you can't buy this at full price. If you aren't the biggest Edgehead but fancy a new WWE DVD set, I'd say it's definitely worth picking up for £6.99. A great DVD in terms of match quality, and overall entertainment.