10 Pictures Of Christian Cage Like You've Never Seen Him Before
The Attitude Era saw the rise of many generational performers in WWE. It also happened to feature a revival of WWE's tag team division. Edge and Christian were a huge part of that turnaround. After helping put tag team wrestling back on the map in WWE, both Edge and Christian moved on to bigger things.
RELATED: 10 Cringey Christian Cage Moments We Completely Forgot About
While Edge undoubtedly had the more successful career, much of Christian's career has been grossly underappreciated. As "Christian Cage," outside the walls of WWE, Christian made himself a bonafide main eventer. Still, many fans aren't as familiar with him as they should be. Perhaps a few photographs will serve as a nice peek behind the scenes of "Captain Charisma."
10 Speaking To Kids With Edge & Stardust
Today, both Edge and Christian have revived their in-ring wrestling careers. In 2016 though, it seemed like both men would never step foot inside the squared circle again. This led WWE to develop a sketch comedy series for the two to star in called The Edge And Christian Show That Totally Reeks Of Awesomeness.
This awesome shot from the show captured Edge, Christian, and Stardust as guest speakers at a school. The trio was asking kids questions about former WWE stars. While Christian would eventually resume his wrestling career, The Edge And Christian Show proved he had some acting chops as well.
9 As WWE Light Heavyweight Champion
Some championships in WWE aren't in it for the long haul. Unfortunately, the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship was one of those titles that weren't long for this world. Regardless, upon debuting in 1999, Christian entered the Light Heavyweight Championship scene. As a member of The Brood, Christian would hold the now-defunct championship.
He would end the near one-year reign of Taka Michinoku to become only the second WWE Light Heavyweight Champion. Many fans might not recall these photographs of Christian as Light Heavyweight Champion because his reign would only last about a month. He would drop the title to Gilberg who would become one of the most memorable Light Heavyweight Champions in company history.
8 Wrestling Shawn Michaels
For performers of a certain age, there were perhaps no bigger influences than Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Growing up in Canada, Christian was likely a big Bret Hart fan. Unfortunately, Christian would never cross paths with Bret Hart inside a wrestling ring. Shawn Michaels was a different story though.
When Michaels returned from a seemingly career-ending back injury in 2002, it allowed him to work with new opponents. One of those opponents was "Captain Charisma" himself. This shot of Shawn Michaels chopping Christian is a bit rare because the two only squared off one-on-one twice against each other. Once in 2004, then again in early 2005. Michaels would win both matches.
7 Visiting A Sick Child
As professional wrestlers, many performers become somewhat of real-life superheroes for some younger fans. While The Attitude Era featured the likes of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock, they weren't the only popular performers of the time. As a tag team, Edge and Christian had a loyal following.
RELATED: 10 Things WWE Fans Should Know About Edge & Christian's Time As A Tag Team
This picture of Edge and Christian visiting with a young sick fan at St. Jude hospital shows just how appreciative the duo was of their fans. Charity work is one of the things WWE superstars don't get enough credit for doing. Meeting Edge and Christian at the time was no doubt a lasting memory for this young fan.
6 As NWA World Heavyweight Champion
There have been certain championship belts throughout pro wrestling history that have reached legendary status. WWE's Winged Eagle Championship belt is high on many fans' lists, along with the classic Big Gold Belt. Arguably third on that list is the old "10 Pounds Of Gold" NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt. Some of the most legendary performers ever have held that belt, including Christian Cage.
Many fans are aware that Christian spent time in TNA and reached World Champion status there. What some fans might not know is that at the time, TNA's World Title was the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This picture shows Christian posing with the legendary title belt shortly after winning it. Christian would also go on to hold the Big Gold Belt as World Champion in WWE.
5 Reuniting With The Hardy Boyz
Throughout the years, WWE has housed some incredible tag team tandems. Many fans believe WWE's tag team division during the 80s was the greatest ever. However, during the late 90s, Edge and Christian and their bitter rivals, The Hardy Boyz, help revitalize WWE's floundering tag team division.
The two teams would go on to have arguably the greatest tag team rivalry in WWE history. This awesome shot of Christian reuniting with The Hardys in 2017 is great because you can see the excitement on Christian's face. We'll likely never see Edge and Christian square off against The Hardy Boyz again but with Christian and The Hardy Boyz all in AEW, that trio might still create some magic down the line.
4 Early Days Of Edge & Christian
It's been said about pro wrestling in the past that you're lucky to make it out of the business with one true friend. Edge and Christian never had that problem because they each had each other to lean on for most of their professional careers. From their days as enhancement talents to eventually becoming World Champions, their friendship endured.
This shot from the duo's early days in the business is great to see. It shows two bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngsters ready to chase their dreams. They both look a bit different now, but that love for pro wrestling remains, which is what makes both Edge and Christian all-time greats.
3 Impersonating Vince McMahon
It's been reported that for some reason Vince McMahon never liked Christian's face. Christian's in-ring ability was never in question. However, McMahon once famously contemplated placing a blue dot over Christian's face. With all that in mind, it's interesting to see this shot of Christian Impersonating McMahon on The Edge & Christian Show That Totally Reeks Of Awesomeness.
RELATED: 5 Things That Vince McMahon Loves In A WWE Wrestler (& 5 He Doesn't)
This took place during a skit where Christian was portraying McMahon auditioning for the role of Ron Burgundy on the Hollywood film, Anchorman. It wasn't the greatest portrayal of McMahon ever, but Vince opted to air it so he must've enjoyed it to some degree.
2 With His Ex-wife
At times, much has been made of certain pro wrestlers' personal lives. On the other hand, there have been many performers throughout wrestling history whose personal lives flew under the radar. Christian certainly falls under the latter category. Unlike his long-time friend Edge, WWE never delved into Christian's life before the company or even his outside life while working with WWE.
This picture shows Christian with his then-wife Denise Hartmann. Hartmann was a German model. The two met while WWE was doing an overseas tour. They would marry in 2001. The couple had a daughter in 2013 but divorced in 2020. Regardless, this photo is a rare peek into Christian's life away from wrestling.
1 At NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom
When Christian left WWE in 2005, he went to TNA and made himself a main-event star. Christian accomplished a lot while in TNA. He'd reach World Champion status in the portion for the first time in his career. He'd also get the opportunity to work on one of the biggest shows on the pro wrestling calendar, NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom.
Christian would actually open the show at the second-ever Wrestle Kingdom. This photo shows Christian Cage and teammates, AJ Styles and Petey Williams celebrating after a big win over Milano Collection A.T., Minoru, and Prince Devitt. Christian competed in huge matches at multiple WrestleManias during his career but this still had to be a career highlight for him.
