The shock news came yesterday that WrestleMania 36 was to go ahead despite all other sports postponing or cancelling their seasons.In a surprise twist though, it will no longer go ahead in Tampa, but instead it'll be a behind-closed-doors event inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.Vince McMahon was apparently not a big fan of the idea, but the show must go on and for now, the Performance Center will be WWE's hub.Several huge matches have already been confirmed for Mania, but one that hadn't was the speculated match between Edge and Randy Orton, which following the events since the 2020 Royal Rumble was a lock to happen.Since Orton put Edge back on the shelf the night after the Rumble, The Viper has unleashed a string of attacks, ending with the RKO of Edge's wife Beth Phoenix two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw.The Rated-R Superstar made his return last week and hit Orton with an RKO and also took out MVP in the process, making a statement that all his rage and anger was back.
His appearance this week on Raw almost didn't happen due to travel issues, but Phoenix revealed that Edge travelled 17 hours by car to Orlando to make sure he fulfilled his commitments.And in front of an empty arena at the Performance Center, Edge addressed Orton once again on the microphone - and challenged him to a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania.
It was a brilliant promo and even though much of the WWE Universe isn't a fan of the empty arena shows, Edge proved that you don't need an audience to cut a strong promo.
Edge v Orton always needed a stipulation, and Last Man Standing is probably the perfect way to close the feud and let Edge move on to some younger, fresher opponents when he's ready.
There's every chance that it may be similar to Mankind and The Rock's 'Empty Arena' match in 1999 during half-time of the Super Bowl - and we are all rooting for that much chaos!