A more serious Adam Copeland returned last month sporting a more typical pro wrestling look, complete with newfound physique, leather motorcycle jacket and Triple H-like stubble. The superstar known as Edge seemed to have finally found his. Copeland hit the WWE scene five years ago simply as "Edge," not exactly thought-provoking or the kind of persona on the cusp of stardom. WWE only has crowned two world champions with one-word names -- Undertaker and Diesel (a.k.a. Kevin Nash) -- so Copeland already found himself at a disadvantage. It didn't help that Copeland also sported an average body-type, a far cry from the bulging biceps sported by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or The Rock. The tall, slender Copeland exuded more of a basketball, not bodyslam, vibe. Only the long, blonde hair seemed sports-entertainment oriented. His less-than-typical physique paled in comparison to Copeland being saddled with a name destined for failure and paired as a faceless entity in a faction dubbed "The Brood." Along with Christian and Gangrel, the group feuded unceremoniously with the likes of Public Enemy before finding a tiny niche alongside The Undertaker's ill-fated Ministry. Edge, along with partner Christian, experienced a career breakthrough in late 1999 during a series of ladder matches with The Hardy Boys. Still, Copeland toiled around as a mid-card, albeit with a nice compliment of tag-team matches and subsequent stints as a co-champion. To that point, Copeland's sports entertainment resume -- The paying his dues period with The Brood, notwithstanding -- sounded sweet but hadn't clicked with the company's audience. For one, the always cheerful Copeland, sporting sleek sunglasses and a pearly white smile, didn't seem to fit the Edge motif. He also had yet to have a "breakout" match, the one that propels a once tag-team wrestler to lofty singles status. Copeland, still happy-go-lucky and void of a stirring in-ring performance, suffered a serious neck injury that sidelined him in 2002 and threatened to end his short-lived career. At the time, some argued that Copeland's "Edge" character was in the midst of a major push. That thinking seemed optimistic at best. Copeland had captured the Intercontinental title, but fans still hadn't seen anything extraordinary from him, other than a few sporadic "oohs" and "aahs." Upon his return, Copeland missed on his first main-event swing at "Backlash" last month in a match against Kane. Much like Copeland's other efforts, this one came and went with little fanfare. Copeland rebounded with a tag-team title victory with World Champion Chris Benoit and finds himself rubbing elbows with a real-life, top-tier performer. To Copeland's credit, he doesn't seem awestruck or out-of-place trading words with Benoit or participating in the marquee match on "Raw." Copeland, 30, is young enough to forge a memorable sports entertainment career but not young enough to fall back on his youth. The pairing of Copeland and Benoit serves not as a legitimate team -- not like the Edge and Christian days -- instead more as another opportunity, perhaps a final springboard for "Edge" to realize his potential as more than just opening-match fodder for much bigger stars. Copeland still hasn't had that special "Wrestlemania"-like night or equally inspiring one-on-one encounter but at least he's finally starting to look and act like someone who wants to.

A more serious Adam Copeland returned last month sporting a more typical pro wrestling look, complete with newfound physique, leather motorcycle jacket and Triple H-like stubble. The superstar known as Edge seemed to have finally found his.