According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Edge “looking older each week” may have played a part in his WrestleMania 37 clash with Roman Reigns being changed.
Following Roman Reigns retaining his WWE Universal Championship over Daniel Bryan at Fastlane, in large part due to Edge and a steel chair, it was reported that the WrestleMania clash between Reigns and Edge was set to change.
Almost immediately after the match it was noted that Daniel Bryan was set to be added to the bout for the Universal Championship.
It has now come to light that Edge’s appearance on recent WWE broadcasts may have played a part in the decision, with Dave Meltzer explaining:
“That was a late change stemming from a decision made by Vince McMahon that he wanted a number of things changed, including Reigns vs. Edge. Numerous suggestions were made by a lot of people, most of which were said to be bad. The one eventually greenlit was adding Bryan to the match, which everyone agreed to. At that point the feeling was Bryan would be the face. There was a lot of conjecture that Reigns would have been cheered over Edge, and that may have happened and may have led to Edge going heel, but we’re told that was not the reason the match was changed. One person close to the situation said that the age issue, not as much the number as the look of age (“he was looking older each week”) with Edge was a concerning point. But really, it was said it was just McMahon wanting to shake up the plans.”
Edge returned to action at the 2021 Royal Rumble following a long injury lay-off. The Rated R Superstar entered the match and number one lasting 58 minutes to earn a world championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
Edge appeared on RAW, NXT and SmackDown following his victory, before finally declaring his intention to face Roman Reigns, delivering a vicious spear to the Universal Champion at Elimination Chamber.