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After proclaiming to be the superior wrestler, Randy Orton proved he was right — albeit thanks to questionable methods — by defeating Edge in what may have been The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever at WWE Backlash.
Orton, who had preyed on Edge’s in-ring insecurities in recent weeks, watered the seeds of doubt in Edge’s mind early on, sidestepping an arm drag attempt that seemed to psych out his foe.
But after luring Orton outside with a game of possum, Edge took control and showed why he became known as The Ultimate Opportunist. Drawing blood from Orton after a series of headbutts, The Rated-R Superstar revealed a sadistic smile that became familiar to the WWE Universe so many years earlier.
Of course, The Viper was plenty capable of matching Edge’s viciousness, throwing him into anything he could find at ringside, including repeatedly slamming him neck-first into the steel stairs.
While Orton dismantled The Rated-R Superstar with his usual surgical precision for some time, Edge began to rally, and the heated rivals traded the best they had to offer.
Edge blocked Orton’s attempt for Three Amigos before delivering it himself and countered The Apex Predator’s elevated DDT attempt before hitting his own Edgecution DDT.
Not to be outdone, Orton later countered one of Edge’s many crossface attempts into an Olympic Slam.
That was just the beginning of both digging into other Superstars’ bags of tricks. Borrowing from his friend Christian, Edge dropped The Viper with an Unprettier. Similarly, Orton channeled his mentor and rival Triple H with a devastating Pedigree, and Edge later followed suit with a Rock Bottom.
Even a pair of RKOs — including one out of mid-air — weren’t enough to put Edge away. The Rated-R Superstar’s Spear didn’t keep Orton down either.
Edge nearly locked in the “anti-venom” arm triangle, only for Orton to break free with what appeared to be a low blow.
With Edge neutralized, The Viper blasted him with a Punt to the head before finally covering him for the three-count and telling the fallen Edge to go home to his wife and daughters.