Many believe that Christian Cage never got his opportunity as a WWE singles star.
During The Attitude Era, Cage and tag team partner Edge [Adam Copeland in AEW] were one of the most successful teams in the company. Winning the Tag Team Championships 7 times and being victorious in the first 2 TLC matches, everything was going pretty awesome for the duo.
Everything would change in September 2001 when Christian, who was jealous of Edge winning the King of the Ring tournament, finally had enough and attacked his long-time tag partner. Following the conclusion of their rivalry, the two former best friends would go their separate ways. Unfortunately, as is the case with many split-up tag teams in WWE, one member does significantly better than the other.
In the years that followed, Edge would be known as one of the members of the “SmackDown Six” before going on to win the first-ever Money in the Bank contract and successfully cash it in to become World Champion, solidifying his status as a main event star. Christian would be placed into the unpopular faction The Un-Americans and would never make it out of the mid-card, leaving the company for TNA in the Autumn of 2005.
During an episode of Grilling JR, Jim Ross was asked why Christian was never given a main event push when it was time to embark on a solo career. Ross would state that it was down to Vince McMahon’s opinion of the current TNT Champion:
“His size, his look didn’t do him any favors at certain points in his career. My belief is that McMahon didn’t push him more because he didn’t like Christian’s look, he didn’t sell it, it wasn’t a wow factor. He wasn’t the guy — except for his hair, that could walk through an airport and not be noticed. He fit in. Edge being 6’4 stood out. So, size had a big issue there, at times.”
McMahon’s dislike of Christian has been documented in the past. There has previously been a rumour that McMahon disliked Cage’s look so much that he wanted to censor his face with a blue dot whenever he was onscreen.
Christian would finally win the big one at Extreme Rules 2011, winning the vacant World Heavyweight Championship after Edge announced his retirement.
Now a part of AEW, Christian Cage is arguably doing the best work of his career, especially with his promo skills. Ross would end his assessment of Cage’s solo career by praising his current solo work:
“He’s past it now thank God for AEW,” Ross said. “That’s why he’s one of the best heels in the frigging business.”
Jim Ross has praised Christian Cage’s heel work on multiple occasions, stating that Cage has that heel energy that makes fans want to slap him.
In a newer interview, Christian Cage comments on his career resurgence in AEW.
Christian Cage Set For Major Championship Defence
Cage’s reign as TNT Champion looks set to be in danger on the December 6th edition of AEW Dynamite. Following weeks of ducking his former best friend, Adam Copeland is set to challenge for the championship on an upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite.
H/t to Wrestling Inc.