10 Wrestlers That Made Fans Change The Channel
2. Edge (2006)
It'd be unfair on the "Rated-R Superstar' to reduce his ratings-grabbing maiden run with the WWE Championship to nothing more than sex and violence, even if that's what they put on his official t-shirt at the time.
Edge cashing in Money In The Bank on John Cena (itself a first) at 2006's New Year's Revolution was the first moment audiences in revolt against the omnipresence of 'The Champ' had been given reason to believe it might not always be like this.
The bloodied and battered "babyface" was beaten by the well-rested Challenger in fairly quick fashion. His loss promised curiosity views before Edge and Lita promoted some mid-ring shagging as further motivation to turn up.
Raw shot up over half a ratings point for that, but went up higher for a grisly title defence against Ric Flair, and stayed there as Cena and the new titleholder promoted their rematch for the Royal Rumble. The run was never meant to extend beyond that destination, but this was much to the chagrin of those that had loved Raw's new energy with Edge on top. He'd passed several crucial tests in a matter of weeks.