Exclusive interview: Edge talks about his acting role on 'Haven' and responds to Triple H
Since retiring from WWE in 2011, Edge has immersed himself in acting and become a regular on the Syfy series “Haven" (Fridays at 10/9 CT). WWE.com recently caught up with the WWE Hall of Famer to find out what other cool and creative things he's been up to. You think you know him? Read on …
WWE.COM: When WWE.com interviewed you back in 2011, when you were just starting out acting on “Haven,” you talked about the fun you were having. How have things changed on the set since then? Are you still having fun?
EDGE: That matches everything I feel now. I do still really, really enjoy it. It’s fun. That’s the most important thing at this point in my life. Anything I do is going to have to be fun. As taxing as the WWE schedule was, it was still fun. It was still the ultimate gig for me. So if I was going to do something else, number one, it has to be creative. Number two, it’s just going to have to be fun. I worked hard all those years to be able to have that luxury. It really is a luxury to be able to do something that you enjoy because then it doesn’t feel like a job. It doesn’t feel like work.
WWE.COM: How have things changed on the set since 2011?
EDGE: I’ve taken [acting] classes to try and improve, because if I do something, I don’t want to half-ass it. Initially, my goal was that I don’t want to embarrass myself. And then as I started to feel more comfortable and really realize that this is something that I do enjoy, I decided that I didn’t want to just be a good actor for a wrestler, I just want to be a good actor.
WWE.COM: When you started with “Haven” back in 2011, did you envision the show going into season four?
EDGE: I envisioned the show [going to season four], but I don’t know if I envisioned myself going to season four. [My involvement began] when WWE got in contact with the “Haven” producers, who were interested in using a wrestler. WWE said, “We got this guy. He just retired. We think he can do it.” And it just worked out. I went out and one scene turned into four scenes, turned into four episodes, turned into being asked back for the next season. That turned into seven [episodes] and then being asked back again next season and becoming one of the focal characters of the show.
[When not acting], it’s really nice to be home and really not have to do anything but … reupholster a piano bench. I like that speed for right now. Now that being said, there’s going to come a point I know where I’m going to have to get some of that creative stuff out and do something again.
EDGE: When you look back on WWE’s history, how many guys really were “the guy”? There was Bruno Sammartino, then Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock and now John Cena. Then again, does Triple H like guys with long hair that are better looking and more athletic than him? Probably not. And I think the three of us fall into that category.
WWE.COM: What are your thoughts on John Cena winning his 14th World Title? Do you think he will eventually break Ric Flair’s record of 16 World Titles?
EDGE: Probably. He’s got a few years left to do it.
WWE.COM: With so much love in the air in WWE right now with Daniel Byran & Brie Bella, John Cena & Nikki Bella and Tyson Kidd & Natalya, do you — as someone who’s familiar with WWE relationships – have any advice for the happy couples?
EDGE: I don’t think they stay happy if they’re on TV for very long. I wish them the best. I think that’s the kind of stuff that’s better left off TV.
WWE.COM: Edgeheads worldwide would love to see you back in WWE, but know competition is out of the question because of your injury. But what about in another capacity, such as a General Manager? Would you ever consider returning to WWE?
EDGE: I’ll use the absolute most over-used cliché, “never say never,” because when I have come back, it has been fun. If it’s fun, cool and creative and would shake things up and help some new, young talent, I would.
WWE.COM: You posted about your paintings on Twitter. How long have you been into painting?
EDGE: I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting and art since I was a little kid. I remember drawing Ace Frehley and then dinosaurs. But once my wrestling career started, I just didn’t have time. So for like 20 years, I just stopped. When I had to retire, I wondered if I could still even do it. So I started sitting down and sketching some lucha masks. That’s kind of where it all started again. And then two weeks later, I had painted 24 of them … and thought, “I guess I needed to get that out.”
WWE.COM: When you’re not busy acting and painting, what do you enjoy doing these days?
EDGE: I mountain bike, kayak and take the dogs out in the mountains. That’s one of the greatest pleasures of each day. I just go out there and watch them run, and in doing that, just end up having great conversations and breathe in fresh mountain air. It’s tough to beat. It’s something that for a lot of years I didn’t really get to do the way I wanted to. Retirement can be a nice thing … as long as you make sure you just don’t go from hero to zero. You need to still sprinkle in things to do to make sure that you don’t just sit on the couch and become a big fat slug. You always have to do something. I’m retired, but I’m not retired from life.
WWE.COM: Do you have any closing thoughts for your many fans all over the world?
EDGE: It always amazes me how faithful and loyal they are. Every time I come back, they let me know that they missed me. The cool thing is that every Friday night after SmackDown, they can flip on “Haven” and see me acting like a police chief that kind of looks like “Walker, Texas Ranger.” I’m still out there doing stuff. They always find me, whatever I’m doing. That’s cool. That means, “Yeah, it’s entertainment.” At the end of the day, I don’t really take it too seriously. I go to bed really nice and content. So, what else can you ask for?
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