Edge: Talking to Vince McMahon is vital to ensure success in WWE

Edge has revealed his belief that his WWE success was down to open communication with chairman Vince McMahon.

The Rated R Superstar, whose real name is Adam Copeland, retiring from wrestling in 2011 having won variations of the company's world title 11 times and after competing at the main-event level for several years.

He believes a key factor in that success was his communication with McMahon, and he says it is the only way any performer can hit the heights he did during his 15-year stay in WWE.

"It's about allowing him to know what type of person he is going to invest this massive machine in..."

"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," said Copeland in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

"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."

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Copeland also confirmed he still speaks to McMahon now, as a result of their close working relationship over several years.

"I'll still call or text Vince, and it's not about bad things or complaints or gripes," said Copeland. "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."