Edge Says You Have to Be Close With Vince McMahon to Become a Top Guy, Talks Vince’s Work Ethic

– Edge discussed his relationship with Vince McMahon in a new interview with Sports Illustrated promoting his appearance on Vikings. Highlights are below:

On Vince McMahon’s passion for the business: “There are not many with Vince’s work ethic, and I think what that does is breeds it in a lot of his performers, especially the ones that make it to the top. If it isn’t already in you, it will be taught to you by Vince, whose go-to was usually to push, not praise, but that was OK with me.”

On his relationship with McMahon: “I’ll still call or text Vince, and it’s not about bad things or complaints or gripes. When I got dual-citizenship, I called him thanked him for the opportunities he afforded me in his company. I don’t know how often he hears that.”

On needing that close relationship with McMahon to become a top guy in WWE: “That’s not politicking, that’s getting to know each other and allowing him to know what type of person he is going to invest this massive machine in. How can he do that unless he has some sense of who you are as a person, and not just as a performer? It happened organically with us. When I had points I felt very strongly on, I went to him. In doing it, he began to see that I would stand up for what I believed strongly in, and that I would admit when I was wrong. I didn’t look for a pat on the back when I was right, either. He also knew how much I cared for that industry.”