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== Early life ==
Adam Joseph Copeland<ref>{{cite journal|first=Caroline|last=Brodi|title=Grappling with the world-beaters|date=April 16, 2009|work=[[Press and Journal (Scotland)|Aberdeen Press & Journal]]|quote=One showdown guaranteed to have the crowds on their feet is the billed world heavyweight championship bout between Edge, real name Adam Joseph Copeland, and titleholder John Cena}}</ref> was born in the [[Toronto]] suburbtown of [[Orangeville, Ontario]],<ref name="copeland 16" /><ref name=SLAMbio/> the son of Judy Lynn Copeland (January 2, 1953 - November 27, 2018),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://necrocanada.com/obituaries-2018/judy-copeland-january-2-1953-november-27-2018/|title=Judy Copeland January 2 1953 – November 27 2018, death notice, Canada|first=|last=by|date=November 30, 2018|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Oliver|first=Greg|authorlink=Greg Oliver|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2018/11/28/22788750.html|title=Judy Copeland, mother of Edge, passes |date=November 28, 2018|accessdate=November 28, 2018|website=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> a single parent who worked two jobs to support her son.<ref name="jordan press" /> Copeland has stated that he has never met, nor ever seen a picture of, his father.<ref>{{cite book|last=Nemeth|first=Jason D.|title=Edge|publisher=Capston Press|year=2010|page=8|isbn=978-1-4296-3346-8}}</ref> He became interested in [[professional wrestling]] at a young age; his favorite wrestlers included [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]], [[Randy Savage]], [[Hulk Hogan]], [[Ricky Steamboat]], [[Shawn Michaels]], and [[Bret Hart]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Copeland|first=Adam|title=Adam Copeland on Edge|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|date=November 2004|page=129|isbn=0-7434-8347-2}}</ref> As a 16-year old teenager, Copeland attended [[WrestleMania VI]] at the [[Rogers Centre|Toronto SkyDome]] in 1990 sitting in the eleventh row at ringside.<ref>{{cite book |last=Copeland |first=Adam |title=Adam Copeland on Edge |publisher=[[WWE Books]] |date=November 2004 |page=39 |isbn=0-7434-8347-2}}</ref> He was cheering on WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan against [[The Ultimate Warrior]], and he credits this match with making him realize he wanted to be a wrestler.<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/edge |title=Edge's WWE Profile |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> When he was 17, he won an essay contest with his local gym, and his prize was free wrestling training with [[Sweet Daddy Siki]] and [[Ron Hutchison]] in Toronto.<ref name="jordan press">{{cite journal|first=Jordan|last=Press|title=Wrestle-maniac — Adam Copeland turns a childhood dream into a WWF career|work=[[Toronto Star]]|page=D04}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Copeland|first=Adam|title=Adam Copeland on Edge|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|date=November 2004|page=47|isbn=0-7434-8347-2}}</ref> He put his wrestling aspirations aside to help pay the bills.<ref>{{cite book|last=Nemeth|first=Jason D.|title=Edge|publisher=Capston Press|year=2010|page=12|isbn=978-1-4296-3346-8}}</ref> He held numerous jobs and then attended [[Humber College]], where he graduated with a degree in [[radio broadcasting]], then received training.<ref name="anstett">{{cite news|first=Patricia|last=Anstett|title=Pro wrestler lends muscle to fight against angina|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8817767_ITM|date=June 13, 2002|accessdate=September 28, 2009|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
== Professional wrestling career ==
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